After Care Instructions
Curing time is 2-3 weeks depending on environmental conditions such as humidity and temperature. Take special care during this time period. The coating can help prevent your clear coat from water spots as it is hydrophobic. Ceramic coatings however, are not bullet proof and can still get hard water spots. The coating is less likely to etch than your factory clear, but it can especially get water spots during the curing process and can be costly to remove.
During the curing process avoid:
- Parking under trees specially if they are shedding. You don’t want tree sap on a fresh coating.
- Allowing bird droppings, sap or pollen to sit on the car and bake in the sun.
- Washing or abrading the paint
If you notice that your car gets water spots, bird droppings, bugs, tree sap or other contaminants during the first two weeks, immediately remove it following our care instructions. Keep in mind the coating is still soft. Be gentle when working on the paint. Using a soft micro fiber and water, gently rub contaminant until it is gone. Be careful not to scrub too hard.
Do not polish the car, polishing will remove the ceramic. You can wax it if you wish (use filler free wax) but you don’t need too. You are better off applying a ceramic topper.
WASHING:
For best results the car should be washed on a bi-weekly basis to avoid excessive contamination build-up. Use only recommended mild soaps that are PH neutral.
DO NOT take your car throw a brush car wash. It will deteriorate and scratch the ceramic. Touchless is ok, but generally they tend to use more acidic soaps.
Use a foam gun (optimal) or microfiber wash mitt to soap down the car. Rinse it off with a pressure washer (optimal) or hose. Dry with clean microfiber towels.
You can also use the “two bucket method”. Fill one bucket with soapy water and another bucket with clean water. Dip your wash mitt on soapy water and wash one panel. Before moving on to next panel, rinse off mitt on clean water, then dip in soapy water and continue to next panel. We recommend washing the upper panel first, and if possible, using a separate mitt for lower panels. This is due to the fact that lower panel are more prone to collecting hard tar and dirt, which may get caught up on your mitt risking scratches.
The hydrophobic effect on the ceramic will eventually fade away, depending on outside weather conditions and washing habits. Don’t be alarmed. This does NOT mean your ceramic is gone, it is still giving you all the protection, but without that hydrophobic effect. If you wish to restore it, you can use a ceramic topper and it will repel water again like day one. Please feel free to contact us at GTA customs if you have any questions on how to maintain and extend the longevity of your ceramic coating.
WATER BEADING:
The water beading effect will eventually fade. This does NOT mean that your ceramic is gone or no longer working. Rest assured it is still protecting your vehicle from the elements. Use a ceramic coat topper every 6 months (once per year) to ensure best results and longevity from coating and to restore that beading effect like day one. This will also ensure you maintain your warranty up to date.
If you have any questions/concerns, please reach out to us. We are here to help ensure you get the most from your coating.
IMMEDIATELY AFTER INSTALLATION
This is the most crucial part of Paint Protection Film care as it’s still curing and not following the first crucial steps can damage the film and/or affect the curing process.
- Do not wash or wax your car for the first seven days after the PPF installation. This is because the slip and setting solution between your car’s paint surface and the film is still evaporating and the film has not yet cured well to the surface.
- Do not press any water bubbles formed underneath the film. When the PPF is installed, a slip and setting solution is used. The bubbles should not be pressed as this is part of the curing process and they’ll dissipate within two to three weeks after installation. The moisture held in those bubbles evaporates through the film’s pores.
After getting through the first week after installation, then you can carry out the normal film maintenance practices.
CLEANING YOUR CAR
When cleaning your car, care should be taken to avoid damaging the Paint Protection Film.
When using any pressure washer including water or air pressure washer, a good distance, of 1ft or more, should be maintained between the film and the washer’s nozzle. Too much pressure from too close to the film can damage and/or lift the film from the car’s surface.
To clean your film’s edges use a microfiber cloth.
To wipe any dust off your car, hydrate the surface first. This reduces friction which prevents swirls and damage to the PPF.
AVOID PRODUCTS WITH AGGRESSIVE CHEMICALS
All detailing products with corrosive or abrasive chemicals must be avoided. These include tar and bug removers, clay cleaners, and degreasers, among other harmful products.
REMOVE BIRD DROPPINGS, BUG SPLATTER AND OTHER NATURAL CONTAMINANTS IMMEDIATELY
Bird droppings, tree sap, and other natural contaminants that are acidic should not be left on the film for long. Such contaminants can quickly degrade the PPF and reduce its shine. When removing these contaminants, blot them instead of wiping them.
OTHER IMPORTANT PPF CARE TIPS:
- Do not use powered buffers/polishing equipment on the PPF
- Do not wipe or clean it in direct sunlight or when the film is hot
- Do not use dyed sealants as they’ll make it dull
- After washing your car, use a clean microfiber towel to dry it. This prevents water spots
- Do not use powder detergents on the PPF
- Do not pick the film’s edges
- Do not use petroleum or resin-based products as they can damage the Paint Protection Film’s surface
- Always use PH neutral products on the PPF
- Apply wax every 3-6 months
- Avoid pressure washers with very high PSI
- Hand detailing is preferred to avoid damage to the film
Vinyl wraps are a unique and appealing option for both personal customization and commercial advertising. Matte or Satin vinyl absorbs more light than a gloss-finished wrap does, making the colours on the wrap look both rich and subdued at the same time. If you are considering a vinyl wrap, it is important to note that they require special care for the longevity of the wrap.
That is why the experts at GTA Customs have compiled some information to help you understand how to care for a car wrap and keep it looking as great as the day it was installed.
3 Important Considerations When Caring for Your Car Wrap
Matte wraps have a more porous composition than other finishes, making them more susceptible to damage from improper care. That is why it is important to consider the following elements when caring for your wrap:
1. Cleaning Products
To prevent your wrap from becoming glossy in certain spots, it is important to avoid using waxes or polishes on it. Using traditional car wash soap or detail spray can also be a bad idea as many of them contain slight amounts of waxes, silicones, and optical brighteners. This means you will need to choose cleaning products that do not have any of these agents in them. Consider using a combination of matte care products and a liquid paint coating dedicated to matte or satin finishes to provide an effectively protected surface from staining, fading, and etching.
2. Cleaning Methods
Vinyl wraps can be cleaned using a two-bucket wash system. By using PH balanced car wash soap and plush wash mitts, you can effectively clean your vehicle’s surface without contamination. Once the car has been washed, simply dry it with clean microfibre towels or compressed air to minimize abrasion to the custom vinyl wrap. If you need to remove dried-on contaminants such as bugs, bird droppings, or mud, try using a chemical cleaner that will safely break down the contaminants and gently remove them with a microfibre towel.
3. Making Repairs
Certain vinyl materials—like 3M vinyl—are sometimes referred to as self-healing wraps since small forms of damage can easily be repaired with a heat gun. For small dents or imperfections in the wrap, simply heat the surface with a heat gun or hairdryer by keeping it 6-12 inches away from the surface. As the wrap heats up, it will eventually smooth back out and look like new again. For larger dents or damage, it may be best to contact a professional to ensure that it is repaired correctly.
To learn more about our car wraps or to discuss your vehicle wrap project, get in touch with the team at GTA Customs. We can be reached through our online contact form and will be happy to answer any questions you may have regarding our services or your wrap design.