Keeping your wrap looking its best
Your wrap is built to last. A little care in the first few weeks, and the right habits after that, keep it looking sharp for years.
Warranty at a glance
With standard care you should get four to five years out of a wrap. Kept garaged and properly maintained, you can get much more. A wrap that is neglected or left out in the sun and weather full-time will not last as long.
The settling-in period
The vinyl on your vehicle takes two to three weeks to fully settle in, a bit longer in winter. During this time, do not wash the vehicle.
As the vinyl settles it relaxes and softens during the day when the sun is on it, then tightens up at night when it cools. This repeats over and over until the vinyl is fully cured. Parking in the sun during this period is ideal.
During this time, any small anomalies, light scratches, subtle install lines, haziness, or small specks, should disappear.
Large particles under the vinyl are removed during install. Small specks usually come from minor paint defects that may or may not have been visible before the wrap, tiny rolls of adhesive that came loose during install, or nearly invisible particles of dust drawn to the back of the vinyl by static. Other than paint defects, the rest should disappear as the vinyl settles.
What to look for during this period
Small bubbles up to half an inch across may appear when the vinyl is warm, and normally disappear at night. This can happen a couple of times. Do not press or poke them. If you see bubbles larger than that, or ones that do not go away on their own, bring the vehicle in as soon as possible. They can normally be dealt with easily.
Edge lifts and pop-ups. If you see any edge lifting or pop-ups, bring it in. Edge lifts happen as the vinyl shrinks back and may not be fully bonded along the edge of a panel, usually from not enough heat during install or from wax or residue that did not come off during prep. These are normal and easily handled. Pop-ups in areas under high tension can happen as the vinyl shrinks and tries to return to its previous shape, and will need to be repaired.
Caring for your wrap
Once the settling-in period is over, you can wash the vehicle by hand or in a touchless car wash. Wraps damaged by brush car washes or pressure washers are not covered under warranty.
Waxing the vinyl is good for it. Use a wax that does not contain petroleum distillates, which break the vinyl down and cause it to fail. A wax containing petroleum is normally labeled as such. The same goes for gasoline, so wipe off anything that gets on the vinyl when you fill up. Spray waxes are best; paste waxes build up along the seams and make them more visible. Power buffing will void your warranty. Your vinyl can be ceramic coated.
Warranty and removal
Warranty length depends on the service you chose, shown above. With standard care you should get four to five years out of a wrap. At that point it is best to bring it in to be evaluated, since it can become harder to remove. It is also good to bring it in every couple of years to check the horizontal surfaces, like the hood and roof. Properly cared for and garaged, you can get much more time out of it.
Removal is best done by a professional. We watch for clear coat or paint pulling and work to stop it. This normally happens on older cars and cars with aftermarket paint. Once the wrap is off, an exterior detail is recommended to bring the car back to its original luster.
Noticing something on your wrap?
Free estimates. Most jobs quoted within 24 hours.