Product: Vehicle wrap
Location: Ashland, Mechanicsville, Glen Allen, Richmond, Doswell, Goochland and Hanover, Virginia
Client: Brilliant Signs and Graphics Inc.
So now you have your vehicle wrap applied to your car, truck, utility vehicle or wherever you had it placed. The graphics look great and you are hoping that this custom wrap will make your brand image stand out among the traffic and at the job site. It most definitely will too. But now that you have the vehicle wrap put on, you must now consider how to keep the vinyl and/or plastic film that is wrapped around your vehicle like a driving billboard in good condition. How do you take the proper steps to ensuring that the wrap will last a long time and still maintain that like-new look? There are several steps to take in preparing to clean your custom vehicle wrap. Make sure to follow these recommendations to keep those graphics intact, clean and looking good on the road and at the job site, whether that be in Richmond, Virginia or in another nearby town.
Preparing to clean your custom vehicle wrap first requires that you understand the proper cleaning tools and procedures to use when beginning. Make sure to use a non-abrasive cleaner that does not contain harsh chemicals or strong solvents that could damage the graphic elements on your vehicle wrap. Also, use a soft sponge for cleaning. Do not use a brush. Brushes can make the edges of the film come loose and it can also make the graphics dull.
So, now that you have the right tools for the job of cleaning, now it’s time to get started. If you are washing the vehicle by hand, clean with water only first to remove debris. Use your sponge, water and a mild liquid detergent to start cleaning. Wash the vehicle from top to the bottom and remember to avoid scrubbing whenever possible. Wash away all of the detergent from the vehicle from the top to bottom of the vehicle with water to rinse. Next, dry the vehicle wrap and graphics with a dry, clean towel.
You really want to avoid damaging the graphics on your vehicle wrap, so take these precautions. If you have special film-like matte on your vehicle, or some type of textured wrap, do not ever use harsh chemicals on them and continue to avoid scrubbing. You don’t want to destroy the look of your brand or your vehicle. You can still take your vehicle to a car wash, but only if the car wash uses the new kind of soft cloth type of rollers, not the old kind of abrasive brush washer rollers.
Also avoid power washing, though you can still do it if you use extreme care and follow these directions. Use a spray nozzle that is set for a 40-degree spray pattern. Never go above 1500 to 2000 psi. Keep your water temperature below 180 degrees too. Avoid directly spraying edges of the vehicle wrap and keep the nozzle about 18 inches back while spraying. Don’t use wax, paint, clear coat, polish or other kind of product on the vehicle wrap either. Windshield wipers can also destroy perforated window film so avoid using them if possible. Tar, oil and other stains are very hard to clean away so use a citrus base cleaner or isopropyl alcohol to avoid damaging the vehicle wrap when cleaning it.
Following these instructions will help protect the wrap and keep your rolling billboard clean for a long time to come. Consult with Brilliant Signs and Graphics Inc. if you have other questions about vehicle wraps, keeping them clean or any other question you might have. We have locations in Ashland, Mechanicsville, Glen Allen, Richmond, Doswell, Goochland and Hanover, Virginia. We specialize in custom graphics for all types of motor vehicles.
