By Nazar Hubert
If you invest time and money into new security vehicle graphics, you want to be sure they will last as long as possible and maintain their clean lines and bright colors.
Today, we’ll share some of our top tips for vehicle graphics longevity, which will help you extend the time between replacing or repairing your graphics.
Tips for Security Vehicle Graphics Longevity
Here are some essential factors to consider when it comes to maintaining and updating your security vehicle graphics:
Choose Vehicle Graphics Materials Carefully
If the graphics material you choose for your fleet isn’t built to withstand different temperatures, moisture, impact, and other environmental factors, you’ll end up replacing them more frequently than desired.
Choose high-quality materials specifically designed for vehicle graphics. These materials should have a long lifespan and withstand harsh conditions, such as UV rays, rain, snow, and extreme temperatures.
Most car wraps are vinyl, but not all types of vinyl are created equally.
Some are more durable, and high-quality vinyl will last a lot longer than a lower-quality material.
This means that even if it costs more upfront to opt for a high-quality vinyl, this investment will pay off over time by spacing out the frequency of replacing your graphics.
Regular Cleaning
Regularly cleaning your security vehicle graphics can greatly extend their longevity, but you also need to be careful not to overdo it which can reduce the lifespan of your graphics.
Dirt, grime, and pollution buildup can damage the graphics over time if left unattended. Depending on where your vehicles are used and the time of year, there may be times you need to wash them more often than others.
Avoid automatic car washes regardless of how often you have to wash them. They often use brushes and other tools that can lift the edges of the vinyl graphics, dull their appearance, and even scratch them.
It’s also important to avoid using wax and polish on matte or textured graphics. Other products to avoid include carnauba-based waxes.
Use mild soap and water to gently clean the graphics surface by hand, and avoid harsh chemicals or abrasive tools that may cause scratches or other damage.
Before you use a new cleaner on your fleet, test it in an inconspicuous area to make sure it doesn’t damage your graphics.
Use Caution When Pressure Washing
Your vehicles should only be pressure washed when absolutely necessary to avoid damaging your graphics.
If you have a particularly large fleet, it’s also one of the more practical options for washing your vehicles, so there are certainly times when it makes sense to clean your fleet this way.
If you do have to pressure wash security vehicles with graphics, these guidelines from 3M can help you protect the vinyl wraps in the process:
- Keep water pressure between 800 psi to 2000 psi
- Keep the water temperature at or below 180° F
- Your spray nozzle should be set with a 40° wide angle spray pattern.
- The nozzle should also be at least one foot away from the graphic and at 90° to the graphic.
Storing Your Fleet
Whenever possible, your fleet should be stored away from sun, wind, rain, and any other elements that could potentially damage the vehicles.
Prolonged exposure to sunlight and harsh weather conditions can cause premature fading, chipping, and peeling of the vinyl wraps.
If you don’t have access to covered storage options, consider investing in a car cover designed for your vehicle. This provides an added layer of protection from the elements and helps maintain the integrity of your fleet’s appearance.
Hire Vehicle Graphic Experts
Professional installation is vital to long-lasting graphics.
If your company does not have in-house graphic installers, hiring a team of experts is worth the investment. They have the experience and tools needed to ensure your fleet graphics are installed correctly and will stand the test of time.
Rather than attempting to save money by doing it yourself or hiring a cheaper installer, investing in professional installation will save you time and money in the long run.
Considerations for Perforated Vinyl
If your fleet has perforated vinyl on its windows, there are unique best practices to consider to help you protect and maintain them.
To begin, exercise caution when lowering windows with perforated vinyl. This can stretch, cut, or damage the graphics. Carefully consider the windows you place these graphics on and how frequently you might need to open them.
Using wipers and scrapers can also damage window graphics. If your vehicles regularly encounter harsh weather conditions or particularly rainy weather that often calls for window wipers, you might reconsider using window graphics.
Signs It’s Time to Replace Your Security Vehicle Graphics
Vehicle graphics aren’t meant to last forever—some can last upward of eight years. However, many departments choose to replace them before this to keep their fleet looking modern and sleek.
If you’re still satisfied with the overall look of the graphics, there might still be other signs it’s time to replace your vehicle graphics.
Here are a few of them:
- You notice stains or lifting on the graphics
- The graphics are fading
- Your branding has changed
- You are selling the vehicles
- You’re promoting new services or products
Protecting Your Security Vehicle Graphics After Installation
Right after your graphics are installed, you should take a few steps to ensure they stay in top condition for as long as possible.
The graphics company you work with will offer you specialized instructions, but they will often tell you to keep the vehicles dry for at least 48 hours after the graphics installation.
Seasonal Care and Environmental Considerations
We’ve mentioned before that your vehicle graphics should be able to withstand all kinds of weather, but that doesn’t mean they don’t need some extra care during certain seasons.
In the winter season, rinse off any salt or de-icing materials that could have gotten on your graphics, as it can damage them and cause them to discolor.
Brush off pollen and other airborne debris in the spring and summer. Keeping your vehicles clear of dust and debris build-up can keep your graphics looking bright and beautiful.
Environmental considerations are equally important. Watch out for extreme heat, humidity, and other conditions that could damage your vehicle graphics and reduce lifespan.
If wildfires occur in your area, they can leave ash and soot on your vehicles, which can harm your graphics. Gently clean off any residue as soon as you spot it to prevent damage.
Professional Security Vehicle Graphics
If you’re ready to begin the process of choosing new security vehicle graphics for your fleet, turn to Graphic Designs International.
They are experts in emergency and security vehicle graphics and will work with you to create high-quality, long-lasting graphics.
