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![]() Care and Maintenance for Vehicle Wraps and Graphics
By Molly Waters, Technical Specialist, Avery Dennison Graphics & Reflective Solutions
In my role, as technical specialist at Avery Dennison, I am regularly asked about how to clean and maintain a car wrap.
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I thought this would be a good opportunity to explain why it is important as well as the benefits of cleaning vehicle wraps and graphics. I'll highlight the recommended cleaning methods as well as mention a couple of cleaners and waterless washes that Avery Dennison has found that work well.
Why Clean? In addition to keeping the car looking good, regular cleaning of a wrap is important because it can help prolong the life of the graphics. This is especially important in areas of high elevation and congested urban or industrial areas.
These effects can be reduced with regular cleaning which will remove the pollutants and particulates that can damage the wrap. Applying an approved wax, after cleaning, will help to provide added UV protection, especially for the horizontal areas.
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How to clean? For hand cleaning, use a detergent and water mix with a soft cloth or sponge. Avery Dennison recommends the detergent be a dedicated car wash product or a mild detergent. The detergent should be free from abrasive components, have a pH balance between 3 and 11, and be free from strong solvents or alcohols.
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You can hand wash a wrap just like a painted car. The first step is to rinse the vehicle with clean water, this will help avoid scratching the graphics, and then gently agitate a soapy mild detergent and water solution with a soft cloth or a synthetic or natural sponge, starting from the top of the vehicle and working down. Avoid abrading the film surface with unnecessary scrubbing. It is important to rinse the graphic thoroughly with clean water when finished. Allow the water to dry naturally or dab dry with a chamois or a soft non abrasive towel, being careful not to lift the film edges. If you must use a pressure washer, be sure to follow these guidelines:
Excessive pressure or spraying at the wrong angle with a pressure washer can cause damage and create failure points in your graphics. Another good cleaning option is to use waterless washes to clean a wrap. These products can help maintain the gloss level and performance of the film. If my vehicle is not overly dirty, this is my preferred option. I have found that products, such as Turtle Ice, work well to clean and also put a nice shine on my wrap. If the waterless wash contains wax, do not use it on a matte wrap as that will create glossy spots. Before using any new product on your wrap, be sure to test them in an inconspicuous area of the vehicle before using it on the entire car. The waterless washes are great options as long as the vehicle isn't too dirty in the first place. For vehicles that are very dirty, it is recommended to wash by hand first then use the waterless wash for your final touches. For difficult to remove contaminants, such as bird droppings, bug splatter, tree sap, etc., try to soften them by soaking for several minutes with hot, soapy water then rinse thoroughly. If a harsher chemical is needed, be sure to test first in an inconspicuous area. Avoid using abrasive tools that may scratch the graphics.
Can I wax?
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Matte Films In all cases, we recommend you clean the vehicle in a shaded area. I found that I ended up with more streaks when I cleaned in the sun versus pulling my vehicle into the garage. Avery Dennison has found that the following products work well. Reference the bottle and see if they are meant to be a waterless wash, wax or waterless wash/wax combination:
Keeping your wrap clean and protecting it with wax will help preserve digitally printed and paint replacement car wraps. Molly Waters is Technical Specialist at Avery Dennison Graphic Solutions
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