How to Care for Your Subaru Wrap
Subaru cars are known for their tough performance, reliability and adventurous spirit - so vinyl wraps have become an increasingly popular way for owners to customize their cars while protecting the original paint job. Whether you wrapped your WRX Forester or Outback with vinyl wraps, proper care must be taken in order to preserve its appearance and ensure long term use of them. This guide will explain how best to wash, protect and avoid mistakes with regards to taking care of vinyl wraps on Subarus.
Why it is Important to Maintain a Subaru Wrap:
In order to preserve the finish, color and protection provided by your Subaru wrap, proper care must be taken when taking steps to preserve it. Proper maintenance not only enhances its appearance but also safeguards against peeling vinyl peeling or fading - which will decrease its life span significantly.
How to Clean a Subaru Wrap:
Regular washing of your Subaru wrap will keep it looking its best and ensure a safe, effective cleaning procedure: Here are a few steps for doing just that:
Handwash for Best Results
For optimal results when cleaning your Subaru wrap, hand washing is the optimal way. Use a microfiber sponge or cloth with mild nonabrasive soap and an nonabrasive surface cleaner; avoid harsh chemicals and materials which could harm its appearance. How to Properly Clean a Subaru:
- Begin by rinsing your car with water to remove dirt or debris.
- Start from the top down using a microfiber towel to gently wash down each layer of wrap with soap residue removal by rinsing again, as needed.
- To avoid water spots on the paint job use another microfiber towel when drying your vehicle to reduce spots on its finish.
Avoid Automatic Car Washes
Vinyl wraps can be seriously compromised by automatic car washes with rotating brushes, especially ones which use water jets instead of rotating brushes to wash your vehicle. Brushes may scratch vinyl wrap edges causing peel off or fraying of its edges; choose instead a car wash which uses water jets rather than brushes if you must use an automatic carwash; however, hand washing remains the ideal method.
Protect Your Subaru Wrap From the Elements:
Subarus can be exposed to harsh environments when driven in extreme weather or off-road. Protect your Subaru wrap from sun, snow and dirt by following these tips.
1. Park Your Subaru In the Shade or Use a Garage:
Prolonged exposure to sunlight can fade the colors on your Subaru wrap over time, so if possible park it inside of a garage so as to shield its paintwork from UV rays - especially important if you live in an area which receives intense sun throughout the year.
2. Protect Your Subaru Wrap With an Extended Car Cover:
A car cover provides extra protection to your Subaru wrap when parking outside for long periods, such as UV rays, dust and debris. A good car cover will shield the wrap from UV light exposure as well as dust accumulation.
3. Avoid prolonged exposure to inclement weather:
Subaru vehicles can withstand harsh weather conditions, but their vinyl wraps must still be protected. Snow, rain and dirt build-up over time can erode its finish and wear down its finish; to safeguard its protection in regions with extreme climates consider using a vinyl sealant or wax.
How to Clean Out Contaminants and Stains:
Unattended contaminants such as tree sap, bird droppings and road tar can damage the wrap on your Subaru vehicle. Here's how you can remove these stains successfully:
1. Remove Stains as Soon as Possible:
It's essential to act fast if stains appear, particularly bird droppings, sap from trees and other substances that could discolor or damage vinyl over time. Wipe away contaminants with a damp microfiber cloth for quick cleanup or use a vinyl wrap cleaner such as 50% isopropyl/50 water mixture to address more challenging stains.
2. Avoid Harsh Chemicals:
Stick with gentle chemicals like acetone or paint thinner to protect and strengthen the vinyl surface, rather than harsher products like acetone or paint thinner that could damage it further. Vinyl wrap cleaners or mild soap with water are better solutions for cleaning vinyl than harsher solutions like these.
Care for Specific Vinyl Wrap Finishes:
In order to keep your vinyl wrap looking its best, it's important to understand how best to care for each finish. Here is some guidance on maintaining common finishes on Subaru Wraps.
1. Maintaining Matte Vinyl Wraps:
For best results, matte finishes must be handled carefully. Waxes and polishes could add unnecessary shine, so use a matte-specific cleaning agent with soft rag to maintain smooth and non-reflective wrap surfaces.
2. Caring for Metallic and Gloss Wraps:
Polishing metallic and glossy wraps is key to maintaining their vibrant gleam. Use vinyl wrap polish and soft cloth rag to keep the surface glossy and scratch-free; these non-abrasive products should help avoid further scratching.
3. Maintenance for Chrome and Color Shift Wraps:
Chrome and color shift finishes can become scratched with repeated exposure to harsh chemicals or pressure washers; for maximum effect it is best to handwash with soft, clean cloth for the best results.
Avoiding Common Mistakes:
Below are a few mistakes you should avoid to keep your Subaru wrap in its best possible condition:
1. Avoid Waxing Matte Wraps:
Matte vinyl wraps may become dull over time when exposed to waxes or polishes designed for glossy vinyl surfaces, so avoid cleaning products not designed specifically for matte vinyl to preserve its texture without destroying its beauty or adding unnecessary shine.
2. Avoid Spilling Gasoline on Your Subaru Wrap When Refueling:
Avoid spilling gasoline onto the Subaru wrap when refueling to protect its vinyl from permanent damage and use a wet cloth and water to quickly wipe up any spillage as soon as it occurs.
3. Avoid Pressure Washers:
A high pressure washer could lift and peel your Subaru wrap. For best results, set it to its lowest setting on any pressure washer you must use and keep its nozzle at least 1 foot from any surface where you apply pressure.
Conclusion
Caring for your Subaru wrap can keep it looking brand new while protecting your investment. Regular handwashing, protecting it against weather elements and following care instructions for its finish will keep your Subaru looking its best over time - whether its matte finish or shimmering color change wrap is protected and vibrant for many years ahead. So follow these tips to maintain its appearance and protect it in the process!
