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VINYL CARE

Taking care of your Vinyl Wrap

Whenever you buy something brand new, your first instinct is to take care of it, right? The same applies to your freshly wrapped vehicle. This is a brand new start for your vehicle's aesthetic and you should only use high-quality products and recommended procedures to ensure a long lifespan for your wrap. Here are a few tips.

1.

Washing your vehicle

  • Hand Washing is preferred.

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  • If you are going to run your vehicle through a car wash, Touchless car washes are the best for graphic care. Use of brush car washes may cause dulling/scratching/lifting edge of the graphics.

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  • Soften difficult contaminants such as bug splatter, bird droppings, tree sap and similar contaminants by soaking them for several minutes with very hot, soapy water. Rinse thoroughly and dry.

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  • Pressure washing may be used under these conditions.

    • Ensure the water pressure is kept below 2000 psi (14 MPa).

    • Water temperature is kept below 180 °F (80 °C).

    • A spray nozzle with a 40 degree wide angle spray pattern is used.

    • Keep the nozzle at least 1 foot away from and perpendicular (at 90 degrees) to the graphic.

2.

Wipe off Fuel Spills and Contaminants

  • Avoid vinyl and adhesive depredation by cleaning up fuel spills immediately.​

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  • Remove saps and organic debris as it may eat through the vinyl's clear laminate layer much like it does to clear coat on painted surfaces.

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  • Vehicle Wrap Vinyl is made up of two distinct layers, the colored or printed base layer which includes the color/graphic and adhesive, as well as the laminate layer which serves as a protective layer as a barrier from UV rays and the elements. Ensuring that the outside laminate layer is clean and protected ensures the longest life of your vehicles new look.

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3.

Store Vehicle Indoors When Possible

  • Like paint, Wrap films are degraded by prolonged exposure to sun and atmospheric
    pollutants, especially on the horizontal surfaces such as the hood, trunk lid, and roof.     Whenever possible, store in a garage or at least in a shaded area during the day. At night protect the car from dew or rain, which may contain acidic pollutants. When a garage is not available, consider using a cloth car cover at night.

For more information on how to take care of and prolong the lifespan of your vinyl wrap, download the official 3M Vehicle Care Guide.

3M VEHICLE CARE GUIDE
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