The Ultimate Guide to Maintaining Your Vinyl Car Wraps

Vinyl car wraps are perhaps one of the best ways to upgrade the look of your car, protect its paint and even elevate your marketing strategies. Like any other aesthetic improvement technique, vinyl wraps are not meant to be installed and forgotten. External deterrents such as the UV rays from the sun, rocks, road debris, and other chemical toxins contribute to its deterioration over time. 

While one cannot overrule the fact that vinyl wraps are intended to be temporary, it does not mean you cannot keep them looking great for an extended period of time. All it takes to increase the longevity of your vinyl wraps is proper care!

Why Do Vinyl Wraps Require Extra Care?

Before we delve into the intricacies of how to take care of vinyl-wrapped cars, it is essential to understand why do they require extra care in the first place. Undeniably, taking proper care of your vinyl-wrapped car can maintain its aesthetic appeal while extending its life. That being said, the surface of vinyl resembles that of plastic, but it is essentially made of urethane and polyurethane that are not actually plastics but rather flexible polymer molecules better described as elastomer. Urethane also makes for the base of most plastic paints, so the qualities that cause paint to be more susceptible to scuffs and scratches are more evident in vinyl. 

Since vinyl is much softer than paint, it alludes to its likelihood to get damaged or scratched and calls for some extra care.

Furthermore, there’s a thin line between “proper care” and “extra care,” and it is safe to say that going an extra mile can add a few more years to your car wrap’s appearance.

How to Maintain Your Vinyl-Wrapped Cars?

Wash Your Car Fortnightly- Washing your car regularly is one of the most fundamental aspects of keeping it looking good as new, regardless of the fact that whether you have it wrapped or not. For cars wrapped with vinyl, most manufacturers recommend hand washing it once every two weeks. Contaminants such as dust, tree sap, and bird droppings can give you a hard time and even ruin the looks of your beast! 

While washing your car, make sure that you steer clear of any abrasive tools and chemicals as they can scratch the film and leave unsightly marks on your car. 

Be Careful Where You Park- Since vinyl wraps are hydrophilic in nature, external factors such as excessive heat from the sun, rain, smog, and other pollutants can deteriorate the appeal of your car. So parking your car under a tree will only attract these contaminants, which is why if you need to park outside for longer periods of time, look for multi-storied parking lots or invest in a car cover.

They say everything comes with a price tag, and we couldn’t agree more! If you want to keep your newest beast looking feisty, you will have to take proper care of it. If you’re still unsure about how to care for the vinyl-wrapped car, get in touch with us at 228-256-0080.