What is the best way to wash a wrapped car?

So, you’ve finally decided to get that new wrap on your car. And when you did, it looks fantastic. However, the work does not end there because you must keep it clean and maintain the wrap for as long as possible. There are different techniques to help you with washing a wrapped car. Read to know more!  

When washing a wrapped car, it is critical to be aware of the type of vinyl used, as special washing agents tailored to the needs of a vinyl-wrapped car should be used. Hand washing is the best way to maintain your wrapped car. Washing your wrapped car once in 2-3 weeks will keep the wrap in good condition. The regular shampoo will suffice, but you should try to use a detailing sponge.

Note: Avoid using typical fluffy car washing sponges for cleaning vinyl, as the long fibers can cause damage to the vinyl’s exterior, which could eventually result in splitting or tearing. Instead, use a soft detailing sponge. Then gently lather soap onto the surface of vinyl, and the lack of long fibers will protect the surface from damage. 

Using a pressure washer  

An alternative to using a self-serve jet wash is to use your own pressure washer at home. Most pressure washers use cold water, but there are some that use hot water as well. It is permissible to use a pressure washer on your vinyl-wrapped vehicle at home. You should keep the nozzle at a safe distance from the vehicle and at an angle of no more than 60 degrees. 

Dos and don’ts for safely pressure washing a vinyl wrapped car: 

• Wash the car in the shade rather than in direct sunlight, as harsh sun rays can degrade the wash quality and the appearance of the vinyl. 
• Use water at room temperature to rinse the car. 
• Make sure the nozzle pressure is never higher than 1300 PSI; gentler pressure is preferable. 
• Make sure the nozzle tip is at least 1m away from the vehicle’s surface. 
• After washing, use a freshwater rinse to help keep the wrap in good condition. 
• The spray angle of the nozzle should not be less than 60 degrees. 
• Use no water that is hotter than 60 degrees Celsius. 

Because of the high-pressure washing jets, do not use pressure washing as a long-term cleaning solution for a wrapped vehicle. Cleaning agents based on petroleum or acids should not be used because they will degrade the quality of the wrap. It is possible to pressure wash a wrapped vehicle safely, but it is not the safest option. Even pressure washing an unwrapped car carries risks. 

Using a jet spray  

Jet spraying your wrapped car is ideal if you don’t have an outdoor hose or pressure washer at home. The machines will go through a series of pre-programmed cycles that include hot and cold washes, soap, and rinsing, as well as some post-rinse cycles like clear coat and spot-free finish. 

In general, using a jet washer to wash and rinse your wrapped car is A-OKAY. The temperature is usually between 40 and 50 degrees Celsius, which is ideal for vinyl. However, we recommend that you skip the post-rinse cycles and avoid using the sweeping brush on vinyl. While using the jet wash and rinsing will not harm your paintwork, you should keep the spray nozzle at least 1m away from the surface of your car. 

However, you should avoid leaving sweeping brushes on the floor, as this can cause them to become infiltrated with dirt and grit, causing rips and tears in your vinyl wrap. Instead, take a detailing sponge, such as the one mentioned above, and use it on the paintwork. This is not an ideal solution, but it is one that is risk-free. 

Post-rinse cycles for jet washing  

• Clearcoat: If a clear coat is applied incorrectly to a wrapped vehicle, the colors of the wrap will be affected and any designs will be dulled. If you want to apply a clear coat, do so by hand so you can test it first on a small area. We’d also skip the spot-free rinse at the end. 
• Wax: If your finish is glossy, you can apply wax. However, if you have a matte finish, you should avoid it; more on this below. In any case, you’ll want to apply wax by hand for the best results. 
• Spot-free rinse: The jury is still out on the effectiveness of a spot-free rinse on any vehicle, let alone one that has been wrapped. Following that, you should concentrate on proper drying and waxing. 

Overall, jet washing is safe for washing vinyl-wrapped vehicles as long as the nozzle distance is kept to a minimum and certain cycles and tools are avoided. 

Using a snow foam   

You can snow foam a wrapped vehicle, but you should use a pH-neutral snow foam formula and exercise caution when using the pressure washer. 

The same precautions must be taken when using a pressure washer to create snow foam as when using a pressure washer to wash a wrapped car. As a result, avoid using hot water to clean the car and keep the jet speed below 1300 PSI. You should also keep the nozzle at least 1m away from the car’s surface. 

It is also critical to use a snow foam formula that is specifically designed for use on vinyl material wraps. Because some snow foam solutions may contain oils and solvents that are harmful to the delicate material. 

Read: How often should you wash your car 

Can a wrapped car go through a professional car wash? 

Taking a vinyl-wrapped vehicle to a drive-through car wash is not a good idea because it is harsh. Despite the ease and simplicity that car washes offer, the bristle’s harsh texture and fast speed can cause scratches and tears in your car’s wrap. Don’t despair – there are some car washes that provide a contactless option with no bristles, so going to one of those is recommended. 

Wondering where to find the best car wash for your wrapped car? We recommend you to visit Way.com or download the Way app (available on iOS and Android). Just scan and drive away with a spotless car and no worries about how to dry it! Enjoy a safe and contactless car wash experience with Way.com.