Resource

Centre

How to safely wash and care for your wrap / PPF.

The resource centre

WHY SHOULD I WRAP MY CAR?

Because who doesn’t love the look of a new car. Being able to have a vehicle in a crazy printed design, custom graphics, stealth matt/satin look, in your face colours. And when you get bored of it, remove it, wrap it in something new. You can show off your personality through what you drive.

WHY SHOULD YOU MAINTAIN YOUR WRAP?

The most common question we have when it comes to collecting your car is ‘how do I maintain it?’. 

Whether it’s a full exterior wrap, sign writing or a part wrap it’s important to protect your investment and make sure it lasts the lifetime of the material. Although a wrap is a temporary product, you don’t want to be throwing away the money you spent on it. 

Carrying a a regular was of the wrap is a must. vinyl needs to be looked after and protected just like paintwork.  Washing the vehicle on a regular basis using ph neutral products is key. Keep away from edges when jet washing and always use a pre wash prior to a contact wash to reduce down scratches, marring & swirls on the wrap.

A well maintained wrap can protect the paintwork below, last the length of the materials life span and always be the topic of conversation.

Regardless of whether it’s a wrap, sign writing or printed wrap, it’s an investment. Look after it.

CAN I USE A DRIVE THROUGH CAR WASH?

We always recommend following the steps we have detailed on our website on how to wash and look after your wrap. But by all means feel free to take your car through a car wash, and why risk damaging your wrap. It may look clean after but more then likely be leaving with scratches, harsh chemical cleaners that will bleach or stain your wrap.  Follow our guide for safe washing your vehicle at the comfort of your home.

CAN I PRESSURE WASH MY WRAP?

Yes a pressure wash is safe, it’s used in the correct way. Keep it at around 2000psi, use cold water only and stay at least 12 inches away from edges.

I’VE SPILT FUEL ON MY WRAP. IS IT RUINED?

With a fuel spill you need to wipe it off as fast as you can, by doing so you reduce the risk of it damaging the wrap. We always recommend that you have your wrap ceramic coated or PPF’d after it’s been installed, by doing so you’re adding another layer of protection over the top of your wrap. Recommend wiping off with water or a detailing spray then getting home and giving it more of a thorough wash.

WHAT SHOULDN’T I USE TO CLEAN MY WRAP?

You need to make sure you never use the following products on your wrap. You should use the recommended aftercare products stated

  • Oil-based cleaners
  • Kitchen & Bathroom Cleaners
  • Bleaches
  • Oven cleaner
  • Engine Degreaser
  • Thinners 

CAN I WASH MY CAR WITH A BUCKET AND SPONGE?

We can’t physically stop you from doing so. But we highly recommend you use the two bucket method with microfibre wash mitts and drying towels.

What you will need is two buckets with grit guards fitted, a microfibre wash mitt, a drying towel, hose/jet wash and your car shampoo.

  • Carry out your contact free wash
  • The first bucket you will fill with clean water.
  • The second bucket you will fill with clean water and your shampoo.
  • Place a grit guard at the bottom of each bucket. Grit guards help trap dirt at the bottom, preventing it from being transferred back to the mitt during washing.
  • Then place your mitt into the soapy water, proceed to wash the vehicle one panel at a time starting from the roof working down to the lower sills. 
  • Wash each panel in a back and forth motion not in a circle, by doing so you reduce swirl marks.
  • After you have washed the panel rinse your mitt into the bucket with just the clean water to remove dirt and contaminants.
  • Repeat this procedure until the vehicle is completely washed.
  • Rinse the vehicle off.
  • Rinse aids cane used to help water disperse and offer added temporary protection to your wrap.
  • Dry the car using a soft microfibre drying town, we recommend you lay the towel on the panel and pat it dry, you reduce down the risk of rubbing/marring your wrap.
  • You can then apply spray waxes, spray ceramic detailers and other stated after care products.

IS IT OKAY IF THE CAR IS PARKED UNDER A TREE BEACH IN THE SUN, ALL YEAR OR EXPOSED TO THE ELEMENTS?

In an ideal world we would all have a nice climate controlled garage with the perfect outdoor environment and this question would be irrelevant but we don’t. An unprotected wrap exposed to harsh conditions such as sea air, excessive uv rays and tree sap isn’t going to last the life span of the material. To help make sure you keep your wrap looking fresh. We recommend you protect it with wax’s, ceramic coat or PPF. Avoid leaving the vehicle parked under trees that drop sap over the months, don’t leave it covered in sandy salty water and avoid leaving it in harmful UV rays, by avoiding this you reduce the chance of it being stained, scratched, shrinkage, bleaching and cracking.   

HOW DO I REMOVE BIRD POOP?

First up you want to get some auto finesse citrus cleaner, spray it onto the affected area and let it soak for 1-2 minutes. By doing so the citrus spray will start to break down the deposit. follow this up by jet wash the area, it should wash away with no problem at all. If it doesn’t jet wash off, get a microfibre or even kitchen towel, saturate the cloth and allow it to soak, then jet-wash.

CAN I PPF OVER MY WRAP TO HELP PROTECT IT?

Yes you can. PPF will not only protect the wrap from uv damage, scratches and chemical burns but it will also give you enhanced gloss levels and hydrophobic properties.