How to Care for Fleet Vehicle Wraps and Graphics

A fleet wrap works hard: sun, road grime, mag chloride, job-site dirt and a lot of washes. How it's cared for decides whether it looks sharp for years or starts lifting in one season. Here is how to treat your vehicle graphics from the day they go on, and how to make it stick across a whole fleet of drivers.

Everything here is also in our vehicle wrap care guide (PDF), which is easy to hand to drivers.

The First 48 to 72 Hours

The adhesive needs time to fully bond.

• Don't wash the vehicle.
• Avoid heavy moisture when you can.
• Don't touch or pick at the edges.

How to Wash a Wrapped Vehicle

Hand washing is best.

• Use a mild, pH-neutral automotive soap.
• Wash with a microfiber mitt or soft sponge.
• Rinse until no soap is left. Leftover soap streaks, especially on satin and matte.
• Blot dry with a clean microfiber towel. Don't let it air dry; that leaves water spots.
• Wash when the panels are cool, not in direct sun.

Skip brush car washes. They're one of the fastest ways to damage a wrap: edges lift, the surface scratches, and the wrap's life drops. A touchless (brushless) wash is OK once in a while, but not when it's very cold out. 3M's own wrap care FAQ says to choose touchless over brush washes.

Pressure Washing a Wrap

Pressure washers can be used, carefully:

• Keep it under 1,200 PSI, with a wide-angle nozzle.
• Stay at least 12 to 18 inches away.
• Spray straight at the surface, not at a sharp angle.
• Never spray directly into edges, seams or corners.
• Never use hot water on a frozen panel.

Pressure aimed into an edge can lift it, and once an edge lifts, it keeps failing.

What to Avoid

• Brush car washes, and touchless washes in very cold weather
• Abrasive pads or hard scrubbing
• Harsh chemicals and solvents
• Wax, polish or cutting compounds
• "Wash and wax" soaps and waxy waterless washes
• Clay bars and tar or fallout removers
• Scraping ice or snow directly off wrapped panels

Everyday Care and Colorado Winters

• Clean bird droppings, sap and bugs as soon as you can.
• Clean fuel spills right away. Fuel breaks down vinyl and adhesive.
• Between washes, wipe down with a wrap-safe quick detailer (matte-safe for satin and matte) and a clean microfiber towel.
• Park in shade or indoors when you can, and not under sap-dropping trees for long stretches.
• Wash more often in winter, especially the lower third of the vehicle, to get salt, mag chloride and road chemicals off.

Wraps are durable, but they're a surface material, not a permanent coating.

Matte and Satin Wraps

Satin and matte take different care than gloss, because once the finish changes, nothing brings it back. Satin is the easier of the two; matte and ultra matte take the most care.

• Never wax, polish or buff, and skip gloss-enhancing sprays. They leave shiny patches that don't come out.
• Don't scrub one spot. Hard rubbing polishes it shinier than the panel around it. Soak stubborn spots with warm, soapy water, then wipe gently.
• Use soap and detailer labeled safe for matte. Skip rubbing alcohol and degreasers.
• Keep hands off. Skin oil shows up as fingerprints on flat finishes.
• Wash more often than you would a gloss wrap. Flat finishes hold onto dirt.

Making It Work Across a Fleet

One driver can follow a care sheet. Twenty drivers and a wash vendor need a system:

• Give every driver the care guide. Print it, or keep the PDF link handy, so everyone knows the no-brush-wash rule.
• Tell your wash vendor the vehicles are wrapped, and share the pressure washing rules.
• Add the wrap to the walk-around. A quick look at edges, seams and corners during regular vehicle checks catches small problems early.
• Report problems with a photo, right away. Don't let anyone stick down or trim a lifted edge themselves.
• Keep winter washes on the schedule, especially the lower panels.

Ceramic Coating

A ceramic coating is an option that makes cleaning easier. We use Gtechniq HALO v2, a flexible coating made for vinyl wraps and paint protection film. It works on gloss, satin and matte, and Gtechniq rates it for up to two years with proper care.

• What it does: adds a slick layer that sheds dirt, helps prevent staining, and makes washing faster and easier.
• What it doesn't do: make the wrap scratch-proof, stop rock chips or impacts, or replace regular washing.
• Dry it after washing. A coating makes water bead up, and beads left to dry leave water spots. Blot it dry with a clean microfiber towel.
• After it goes on: don't wash for 5 to 7 days, then hand wash as above. Skip wax and sealants on top.

A coating may affect the film manufacturer's warranty. We'll go over it with you before we coat.

How Long a Fleet Wrap Lasts

Most wraps last three to five years, depending on sun exposure, how the vehicle is used and how it's maintained. Better care means longer life; poor care means faster wear. Non-gloss laminates don't last as long as gloss and take a little more care.

Most of our wraps are 3M IJ180Cv3 with 8518 gloss laminate, or 3M LX480 with 8548G laminate. Material performance is covered by the film manufacturer's warranty, and qualifying 3M graphics can carry the 3M MCS Warranty.

Our Workmanship Warranty

We provide a 6-month workmanship warranty on installation-related issues: edge lifting or adhesion failure caused by the install.

Not covered: damage from washing, pressure washing or automatic car washes; environmental exposure; physical damage or abrasion; and problems from the paint or surface underneath.

If something doesn't look right, don't wait. Watch for lifting edges, bubbling, peeling or unusual wear, and send us a photo. The sooner we see it, the better the chance of a simple fix.

Quick Questions

Can I take a wrapped truck through a car wash?

Not a brush wash. A touchless (brushless) wash is OK once in a while, but not in very cold weather. 3M recommends touchless over brush washes, since brushes can dull and scratch the film and lift edges. Hand washing is still best.

Can I pressure wash a wrap?

Yes, carefully. 3M's limits: no more than 1,200 PSI, a nozzle with a 40-degree or wider spray, and never aiming at the edge of the film. Too much pressure, or spraying into an edge, can damage the film and lift it. If the water is heated, keep it at 140°F or less, and never use hot water on a frozen panel. (3M wrap maintenance FAQ)

How soon can I wash a new wrap?

Wait 48 to 72 hours. With a ceramic coating, wait 5 to 7 days.

Can I wax a vehicle wrap?

No. Skip wax, polish and "wash and wax" soaps, and never wax a matte or satin wrap.

How do I get bugs or sap off?

Clean them as soon as you can with wrap-safe soap or a wrap-safe quick detailer and a microfiber towel. Don't scrub.

An edge is lifting. Can we fix it ourselves?

Don't stick it down or trim it. Send us a photo; the sooner, the better.

Questions About Your Wraps?

Questions about a wrap you already have, or planning new fleet graphics? Send us a few photos. Request a quote