VEHICLE WRAPS aren’t meant to be installed and forgotten. Like the rest of your vehicle, your vehicle wrap requires regular cleaning and maintenance. For longer-lasting, vibrant color, wash your wrap on a regular basis and keep your vehicle away from possible pollutants. This will help with VEHICLE WRAP PROTECTION!

Wash your wrap once a week or more often if your vehicle is exposed to a lot of dirt or pollutants. You can use a gentle automotive detergent if necessary – any good brand will work. Always use a nice automotive sponge or clean, soft cloth to wash your wrap. Rinse vehicle with clear water after washing. Minimize water spotting by using a silicone squeegee or chamois to remove water. Dry with a clean microfiber cloth.

You can bring your wrapped vehicle to an automated brushless car wash, though hand washing is safer and more thorough. Brush car washes may be too rough on the film, degrading it and causing peeling and lifted edges. If a car wash uses water spray and no brushes, it should be safe for most wraps. The number one cause of wrap failure is water getting behind the vinyl, neutralizing the adhesive. Once the water touches the adhesive backing, there is no fixing it. We recommend hand washing to avoid this replacement need. AVOID TIRE SHINE, as this causes staining and damage to the vinyl wrap.

Use Simple Green or diluted isopropyl rubbing alcohol to spot clean isolated stains. Rinse area with cool water after cleaning. Don’t use tire dressing to spot clean as it may splash on the wrap and cause stains. Avoid wiping the wrap when it’s hot; this can distort the material and cause wrinkling.

Clean bird droppings and difficult stains immediately. Letting them sit for too long will make them harder to remove and may permanently damage the wrap. Soak the affected area for a few minutes with warm, soapy water to loosen the contaminants. Rinse completely and dry with a microfiber cloth. For stubborn contaminants, use two parts isopropyl alcohol to one part water. Always test these solutions on a small area that’s not easily noticeable to ensure the cleaner will not harm the wrap. Do not use solvents or oil-based cleaning products!

Wipe off fuel spills immediately, then handwash the affected area. Gasoline will eat the vinyl material if left on too long. A quick wipe with a wet paper towel at a gas station will clean the fuel affected area decently enough until you can get home to do a more thorough job.

Excessive amounts of time under the sun or other outdoor elements (rain, smog, debris, and road pollutants from passing cars) can degrade the wrap on the roof, trunk lid and hood. These horizontal areas are a magnet for pollutants, which are intensified by UV ray exposure. Try your best to park your car in a garage or under a canopy or shelter. If you must park it outside for prolonged periods, look for shady parking areas or use a cover.

Never, EVER use any of the following cleaning products on your wrap:

• Solvents
• Oil-based cleaners
• Kitchen & Bathroom Cleaners
• Oven cleaner
• Orange Oil
• Engine Degreaser
• Windex

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The following forms of damage are common signs that it may be time to repair or replace your vinyl wrap!

The colors on your vinyl wrap may fade over time if it is consistently exposed to direct sunlight. Parking under cover or in shade can reduce damage, but a small amount of fading is likely to occur due to daily driving. This is especially true if you have a long commute. A faded wrap can negatively impact the impression you leave on customers and make text difficult to read while reducing appeal. If you notice signs of significant fading, it is worth looking into repairs or a replacement. Since all fleet graphics vinyl that Indy Auto Graphics uses has a life expectancy of 5-7 years, you’ll still get a lot of miles out of your wrap!

Vinyl wraps can start to peel due to impacts, external tears, or dirt building up under the edges. Improper washing with a pressure washer or high-pressure car wash can also cause your wrap to peel, so it is important to stick to recommended cleaning methods. Peeling can quickly transition from mild to severe, so it is important to repair a peeling wrap quickly and prevent the need for a full replacement.

Cracking can be caused by extended sun exposure without proper replacement, this can cause paint staining and damage to the clear coat. If your vinyl is showing signs of cracking or peeling, please replace as soon as possible.

If fluids such as coffee, cola, fuel or juice are spilled on your vinyl wrap and are not immediately cleaned, this may cause stains. Stains can also occur due to insects, bird droppings, or tree sap if they are not cleaned from your car’s surface right away. Once stains set in, they can be extremely difficult to remove. If a large stain or several smaller stains have appeared on your vinyl wrap, it may be time to have it repaired or replaced.

Indy Auto Graphics recommends examining your vehicle wraps every 3 years for replacement needs. Horizontal surfaces, perforated vinyl and cut lettering will begin to show wear and tear first and can be easy replacements if caught early enough. Cracking and peeling vinyl can cause increased removal fees as it becomes more difficult to cleanly remove the vinyl and adhesive from the vehicle. If you are in need of a vehicle wrap inspection or recommendation for repairs/replacements, please contact us at info@indyautographics.com as soon as possible to schedule your free inspection.