How to Care for Window or Vehicle Vinyl Lettering or Decals

Using care and high quality products specifically designed for car cleaning and maintenance will keep your window or vehicle lettering or decals looking their best. As with the paint on a vehicle, exposure to the elements is the other main factor that affects the life of a vinyl product. Protecting it from the elements as much as possible will extend its life. Treat storefront window lettering the same as  vehicle lettering or decals.

Rear Window wipers / heaters:

• Rear window wipers or heaters should not harm your vehicle lettering if the blade is well maintained.

Exposure to the elements:

• Store the vehicle in a garage or other covered parking if at all possible.
• If no covered parking is available consider a cloth cover or at least parking the vehicle in the shade during the day.

Careful cleaning will go a long way in protecting your vinyl lettering / decals:

• Do NOT power-wash as this may lift the vinyl.
• Hand washing is highly recommended but a brushless car wash should be ok unless the lettering has thin strokes where there is less adhesive holding the letters on.
• Clean fuel spills immediately.
• Cleaning products should be mild, non-abrasive, non-solvent liquid cleaners:
  • 3M™ Car Wash Soap 39000
  • Meguiar’s NXTGeneration® Car Wash
  • Deep Crystal® Car Wash
  • Isopropyl Alcohol and water at a ratio of 2:1
  • Simple Green™ All Purpose Cleaner
  • Pre-clean difficult contaminates like bug splatter, bird droppings or tree sap by soaking with hot soapy water for several minutes.
  • Rinse thoroughly with clean water and dry thoroughly:
    • Keep the hose nozzle at least 1 foot (300 mm) away from and perpendicular (at 90 degrees) to the graphic so as not to force water under the vinyl. Reminder: do NOT power wash.
    • Do not rub hard at the edges of the vinyl.

Spot-On Signs & Graphics uses high-performance 3M vinyls for vehicle lettering or window lettering and decals to ensure the longest life possible. Taking care of them once they are installed will ensure you have years of service.

Contact us today (530) 295-8285 or by email info@spot-on-signs.com or visit our website at www.spot-on-signs.com