How to Take Care of your Fleet Wraps

If you have several trucks, fleet wraps are among the most influential and professional-looking advertisements available to your business. Professional transportation companies, grocery and bakery chains, and civil construction corporations are just a few of the many industries that rely on trucks and trailers to connect supply chains and deliver goods and services.

It is important to remember that the condition of your truck's signage can also reflect on your company. Keeping them in top condition should be a high priority.

Let’s dissect some common questions fleet wrap owners have and the corresponding best practices to keeping your fleet on the roads making positive impressions:

Does road salt damage vehicle wraps?

Vehicle wraps, including fleet graphics, provide some protection from salt corrosion. However, wraps aren’t an impenetrable barrier by any means. If it is allowed to build up, salt can damage the vinyl and other parts of the truck.

The best way to protect against salt damage is to wash your fleet regularly. This might mean washing the entire fleet once a week during winter if your fleet drives a lot on salted highways.

To remove any hidden salt, make sure to deep clean the fleet at the end of the winter season. You don’t want it eating away at the wrap or truck throughout the summer. To take the stress out of salt corrosion, try contracting with cleaning businesses. Find one who does a thorough job.

Can I use a pressure washer on my fleet wraps?

Yes, pressure washers are a great help when cleaning your fleet. When using a pressure washer, make sure the pressure is not too high, and the stream is not concentrated in one place. To avoid damaging the vinyl, keep the stream from the pressure washer under 2000psi, use a nozzle with a 40-degree wide angle spray pattern, and keep the water temperature below 140° Fahrenheit. Spray nozzles must be kept at least 12 inches away from edges.

Pressure washers are more powerful and less damaging to fleet wraps than brush-type car washes. In general, avoid automated brush washes. They can cause the vinyl to flake and fade.

What kind of soap should I use to wash my fleet?

Any gentle automotive detergents will do the job. Use with a high-quality sponge or soft cloth. Avoid using these types of cleaners:

• Solvents
• Bleaches
• Kitchen or oven cleaners
• Oil-based cleaners
• Orange oil

How do I remove a stain from my truck wrap?

Gasoline, bird droppings, and other pollutants can cause unsightly stains. While it is best to remove them as soon as possible, you may not notice them at first. If allowed to remain on the vinyl, though, they can be nearly impossible to remove and potentially damage the paint underneath.

To remove stains, use a small amount of two-parts isopropyl alcohol to one-part water. Then, rinse the wrap well with cold water. Be careful not to overdo the alcohol, as it can cause the wrap to fade. Always test the solution on a small area first.

One of my truck wraps is peeling. What should I do?

Peeling is one of those problems you need a professional to look at and fix. In general, you can avoid peeling altogether by investing in a quality wrap and cleaning your fleet wraps properly and regularly.

The common causes of peeling include:

• Rough scrubbing when washing your wrap
• Power washing your wraps with too much pressure or at a wrong angle
• Cleaning the wrap when it is hot
• Scratches or chips from gravel
• Improper installation

Why are my fleet wraps turning brown?

Air pollutants can turn fleet wraps brown if you do not clean them regularly. The best way to avoid this is by scheduling regular cleaning for your entire fleet and parking trucks in sheltered areas when they are not in use.

It might be too late if your fleet wraps are already discolored. Depending on the degree of staining, it may be best to enlist the help of your fleet wrap professional. They will assess the damage and can remove and replace the damaged section.

Why Maintenance Matters

The ROI (return on investment) of fleet graphics is directly linked to how well you take care of them throughout the year. Well-maintained fleet graphics are a massive asset to your business. Neglected wraps can detract from your brand’s reputation.

The grand majority of trucking companies have industry competitors. Making impressions on thousands of people everyday, fleet wraps allow you to stand apart from similar businesses. Rather than always playing catch up, make your standard of clean and stain free wraps the standard the rest of the industry aspires toward.

Maintenance also increases fleet wrap lifespans, limiting replacement costs. Fleet wraps will last years without diligent care, but with consistent and thorough cleaning they can last for more than a decade.

Finally, consumers may link how well you take care of your fleet wraps to how well you take care of the products you transport. Whether it’s food, furniture or fast-delivery packages, your truck wraps reflect your commitment to quality service. So, make the profitable investment to care for your wraps the right way and keep them shining all year long.