3M Vinyl Car Wrap Care

Providing proper 3M vinyl car wrap care will help ensure that your vehicle wrap stays in the best possible condition for years to come. At Wrap Guys, we understand how important it is for your vinyl wrap to have the longest lifespan possible. That is why all of our vehicle wraps are made from 3M vinyl wrap material that can easily be cleaned and cared for.

How to Properly Wash a 3M Vinyl Car Wrap

Whether you have a matte vinyl wrap or shiny chrome wrap, knowing how to properly wash a 3M vinyl car wrap can help prevent damage from occurring to the wrap during the cleaning process. Some of the different ways in which you can wash a vinyl vehicle wrap include:

Handwashing

Whether you have a car wrap, truck wrap or motorcycle wrap, the safest way to ensure that your vehicle wrap does not undergo any damage is to wash it by hand. Start by rinsing off the vehicle with water to help remove as much dirt and grit as possible. Using a wet, non-abrasive detergent and a soft, clean cloth or sponge, wash the car wrap from top to bottom, avoiding scrubbing. Once the car is clean, make sure to thoroughly rinse the wrap with clean water. To help reduce the amount of water spotting on the vinyl wrap, consider using a silicone squeegee to remove the water and finish off drying the wrap with a clean microfibre cloth.

Automated Car Washing

While 3M vinyl car wraps can be run through an automatic car wash, it is important to only use touchless car washes in order to provide the best care for the vehicle graphic. Car washes that use brushes can cause the wrap to dull, scratch, or lift at the edges.

Pressure Washing

Even though handwashing is the safest method of cleaning a vinyl wrap, pressure washers can be used under the right conditions. In order to use a pressure washer on a 3M vinyl car wrap, you will need to:

• Ensure that the water pressure is kept below 2000 psi
• Keep the water temperature under 80 degrees Celsius
• Use a spray nozzle with a 40-degree wide angle spray pattern
• Keep the nozzle at least 1 foot from and perpendicular (at a 90-degree angle) to the wrap

Removing Difficult Contaminants from 3M Vinyl

In the event that your 3M vinyl wrap has difficult contaminants stuck to it, such as bug splatter, tree sap, or bird droppings, it is important to soak the contaminated spots in very hot, soapy water for several minutes. If further cleaning is needed after you have rinsed and dried the area, consider using a spot cleaner (after testing it on an inconspicuous area of the wrap) and a soft cloth. Once the area is clean, make sure to wash and rinse off all residue immediately.

If you would like to learn more about proper 3M vinyl car wrap care, or if you are interested in one of our vehicle wrap services, please contact Wrap Guys at 604-996-6389 or by filling out a contact form on our website.