Signage Education | Vehicle Magnetic Sign Care

If you use a vehicle for both personal and business use, vehicle magnets are a popular way to advertise your business while on the job, while still having the option to remove your signage in the off hours. Vehicle magnets require proper care and maintenance to protect the finish of your car and maximize the life of your magnets. This article presents best practice in vehicle magnetic signage care and maintenance.

Many customers will install their magnetic vehicle signs and leave them on indefinitely. If this sounds like you, you might be better served with more permanent signage that doesn’t require regular maintenance and care. Without regular maintenance, your magnet can fall off, damage your painted finish and leave ghost images where the magnet was installed.

To keep your car and your magnetic sign looking good, follow these guidelines:

Chose A Location
To maximize magnetic adhesion, choose an area with a relatively flat surface. Magnets should never be installed over a ridge, rust spot or vehicle trim that would keep the magnet from laying flat against the installation surface.

Magnetic signs are best installed when they are not overly cold. Warm magnets are more flexible and will conform to your vehicle’s surface better.

Cleaning
Before installing your magnetic sign, make sure that you have a clean surface to adhere the magnet to. Thoroughly clean the installation surface as recommended by your vehicle manufacturer. Generally all that should be required is to wash with soapy water, rinse and dry with a soft cloth. Clean and thoroughly dry both surfaces of your magnetic signs in the same manner.

Installation
To install, align the magnet where you want it installed. Allow one end of the magnet to make contact and roll the magnet down over the surface, allowing the magnetic pull to attach the rest. If you just plop the magnet against the surface, there may be pockets that don’t adhere fully. If you need to adjust alignment or placement, do not attempt to slide the magnet in place as this can stretch and damage the magnet, and cause scuffing of your vehicle’s paint. Instead, remove, realign and reinstall.

At least weekly, your magnetic signs should be removed from the vehicle; cleaning the magnets and installation surface of your vehicle before reinstalling.

When reinstalling, vary the placement of the magnet on the vehicle. If your magnets are left in one place for an extended period, the painted area around the magnet may leave a “ghost” image caused by slight fading of the paint around the area where the magnet is installed.

Storing
When not in use, keep your vehicle magnets in a clean, dry place.
Ideally, magnets should be stored flat. If flat space is limited, a metal door or filing cabinet make a good storage surface. Magnetic signs can be stacked, though you should not stack them with the magnetic surfaces facing each other. Do not store heavy objects on top of your magnetic signs as creases and dimples will adversely affect subsequent adhesion.

Following these guidelines will minimize any damage to your vehicle’s finish and extend the life of your vehicle’s magnetic signs.

About Spectrum Signs
Spectrum Signs is an independent, locally owned, full service sign manufacturing company located in south Orange County – Mission Viejo, California. We are affiliated with over 240 independent sign companies with access to resources nationwide. This affiliation provides significant discounts from sign suppliers, and allows us to offer competitive pricing without compromising in quality and service.

For more information, contact:

Spectrum Signs
23382 Madero Suite L
Mission Viejo, CA 92691
(949) 297-3800

Spectrum Signs