Many people with vinyl-wrapped cars
Because vehicle wraps protect the paint job on your car, it has often become a misconception among these vehicle owners to not wash their vehicles anymore now that they are vinyl-wrapped. These vehicle wraps should not be forgotten and should be regularly washed to maintain the exterior of the vehicle. By washing your vinyl-wrapped car regularly, pollutants that can cause warping and discoloration will be avoided.
Drive-in Car Wash
Technically, there’s nothing wrong with taking a wrapped vehicle in a drive-in car wash. However, it is not highly recommended because it increases the risk of damage to the material probably caused by brushes with harsh bristles or high pressure water jets that can rip the vinyl.
If there are no damages after the automated car wash, still, a consistent use of this type of car wash will gradually and ultimately decrease the longevity of the vinyl vehicle wrap.
Hand-washed Car Wash
Hand washing your wrapped vehicle is the preferred method of cleaning. No pressure from the water or hard-bristled brush will cause the risk of getting your vehicle wrap damaged.
When hand washing your car, you must first rinse off as much dirt as possible with a spray of water before using a soft, clean cloth or sponge, and a wet, non-abrasive detergent. Always make sure to have rinsed thoroughly and use a silicone squeegee to remove excess water immediately. Finally, finish with a clean microfiber cloth to dry off the vehicle.
Pressure Wash
Although auto-wash is not so recommended, it is possible to pressure wash a wrapped vehicle. According to 3M’s vehicle care guidelines, pressure washing may be used but only with these conditions:
- Water pressure is kept below 2000 psi (14 MPa)
- Water temperature is below 180 °F (80 °C)
- Spray nozzle is used in a 40-degree wide angle spray pattern
- Nozzle is at least 1 foot away from and perpendicular to the vehicle wrap
As long as you follow these conditions, it is safe to pressure your wrapped vehicle. Doing otherwise may increase the risk of damage to your vehicle wrap and decrease the longevity of the wrap.
If you have questions or comments about how to clean your wrapped vehicle, please submit your message below or you can contact us today!
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Thanks for pointing out that it is a misconception to not wash your vehicle anymore after you got a car wrap for it. I will keep that in mind because I actually plan to get mine wrapped this year. It is a secondhand vehicle which is why I thought of getting that done to make it look like new again without spending a lot of money.