Effective Methods for Maintaining Your Vehicle Wrap: 5 Key Tips
This Truck wrap is in prestigious condition and it can continue to do so if preserved properly.
This vehicles wrap has been damaged due to continues UV Light hitting it in the same position causing the decals to fade over time
After investing in your vehicle wrap, just like with anything new, it is vital that you maintain it. Maintaining your vehicle wrap will increase the longevity of your wrap and also give it a better appearance. As you may have noticed, many vehicles have faded wraps, and then there are some vehicles that have bright colors that appeal to the eyes. This all comes down to how it is maintained. You could compare this to the maintenance of a vehicle. Just like if you don't get your vehicle checked occasionally, the vehicle will start to deteriorate, which also applies to vehicle wraps. Down below, we have listed ways in which you can preserve your vehicle wraps.
1. Regular Cleaning
It is important to frequently wash your vehicle so that debris doesn't collect onto your wrap. Collection of debris could potentially damage your wrap by causing scratches and small tears throughout the vehicle. While washing your vehicle through a Car Wash should be fine, it is not recommended. Vehicles with wraps should be hand washed without any brushes to limit damage to the decals. Using soap and water with a soft microfiber cloth would be the best way of cleaning your vehicle as it effectively removes the debris while also not damaging your decals.
2. Avoid UV Light
After wrapping your vehicle, it is important to ensure that the bright colors don't fade, leaving your vehicle in worse condition. A solution to ensure that this never happens is by parking in shaded areas if the vehicle is not in use. Many people make the mistake of just leaving it out in the open, not knowing that this is a liability to the decals as UV Light will slowly cause the decals to lose its shine. Suppose there aren't any shaded areas where you can park your vehicle. In that case, it is recommended that you purchase extra coating on your vehicle as it will slow down the UV rays hitting your decals, therefore preserving your vehicle for the foreseeable future. Here at Saifee Signs we can install these coating from 3M giving your vehicle graphics up to two more years in warrenty than without special coating. The UV-resistant polyester over laminating film 7733FL from 3M™ uses a transparent polyester film for optimal durability and superior protection from ultraviolet radiation and print fade in outdoor applications. Additionally, Adhesive 400 from 3M™ provides outstanding low-temperature performance, as well as long-term anti-yellowing properties.
3. Have Routine Inspections
Having routine Inspections may not be a big deal to most people, but it is the easiest way of keeping your vehicle wrap in pristine condition. While this step may only take a few minutes, it can go a long way.Places you should explicitly check are the hood, as cracking is most common there due to the heat of both the sun and the engine . If you notice that in an area of your vehicle, the decals are starting to fade, you can quickly resolve this by keeping that side more in the shade when not in use. This step may only lead you to minor issues that don't matter, but in the long run, all these little issues that were not resolved earlier will affect the whole look of the vehicle, leaving you behind with a more costly fix.
4. Avoid Rough Areas
In most cases, vehicles are going to be driven on asphalt, which isn't a concern, but there might be times when Industrial Vehicles will have to be driven off the road and onto dirt roads. Driving on these qualities is a huge concern for wrapped vehicles as lots of debris could be collected, alongside various objects possibly hitting your vehicle, causing your decals to be worn down. While these instances should be avoided at all costs, it may not be possible. In these cases, it is important to drive slowly, causing fewer objects to fly up and damage your wrap. Driving carefully through these areas can save you from having to patch up your decals in case of damage.
5. Investing In High Quality Decals
While you can get by with the bare minimum, it doesn't hurt to add more protection to preserve your vehicle wrap. Investing in High-Quality Decals will make your wrap more resilient to damage, and you will have protective gear installed with the sole purpose of reducing scratches. Many people think that investing in Higher Quality Decals isn't worth it. Still, here at Saifee Signs we have seen customers come back in the future and pay double instead of getting the more expensive but reliable option early on.