Clean

For a successful install, the painted surfaces of your vehicle(s) must be free of corrosion, road grime, salt and dirt. Any rust or oxidation must be removed and bare metal must be primed and painted to factory specifications to assure durability of the installation. Do NOT use any type of wax or Rain-X products in your preparatory cleaning of your vehicle the day prior to installation. Simply washing your vehicle at a drive through car wash 24hrs prior to install will suffice. Previous decals and subsequent adhesive must be removed before installation can occur. The installer will wipe down the vehicle prior to installation with an isopropyl alcohol solution to prep the vehicle. Any additional removal of decals/adhesive or excessive cleaning of the vehicle will incur additional costs.

Dry

The surfaces that the decals are to be adhered to must be free of moisture around cracks, seams, and rivets. Please wash your vehicle(s) at least 24 hours prior to the scheduled installation and keep them indoors to give these areas time to dry and to stay clean.

Warm

WARM Ideal vehicle installations occur between 55-75 degrees Fahrenheit, and must be installed indoors. Keep in mind that vehicles must be at the temperature stated above to initiate installation, so be aware that surfaces may take several hours to reach the optimal temperature required; this is especially important when acclimating in extreme climates. If the installation team is coming to your facility, be aware that the area provided must be free of direct sunlight during warm months, and must be a stable temperature during cold installations. Wind and dust must be kept to a minimum to help the installation process go smoothly.

Questions?

If you wish to have our staff address any of the issues above prior to installation please anticipate additional time and expenses that would be involved. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact us at any time.

888.933.8249
support@rockfordsilkscreen.com

Wash Regularly

Wash whenever the car appears dirty. Contaminants allowed to remain on the vehicle wrap may be more difficult to remove during cleaning. Rinse off as much dirt and grit as possible with a spray of water. Use a wet, non-abrasive detergent such as 3M™ Car Wash Soap 39000 or Meguiar's NXTGeneration® Car Wash or Deep Crystal® Car Wash and a soft, clean cloth or sponge. Rinse thoroughly with clean water. To reduce water spotting, immediately use a silicone squeegee to remove water and finish with a clean microfiber cloth. Brush-type car washes are not recommended as they can abrade the film and cause edges to lift or chip, as well as dulling the film's appearance. Brush-less car washes are acceptable.

Pressure Washing

Although hand washing is the preferred cleaning method, pressure washing may be used under these conditions. Ensure the water pressure is kept below 2000 psi (14 MPa). Keep water temperature below 80°C (180°F). Use a spray nozzle with a 40 degree wide angle spray pattern. Keep the nozzle at least 1 foot (300 mm) away from and perpendicular (at 90 degrees) to the graphic. Holding the nozzle of a pressure washer at an angle to the graphic may lift the edges of the film.

Difficult Contaminents

Soften difficult contaminants such as bug splatter, bird droppings, tree sap and similar contaminants by soaking them for several minutes with very hot, soapy water. Rinse thoroughly and dry. If further cleaning is needed, test one of these products in an inconspicuous area to ensure no damage to the wrap film: Meguiar's Gold Class™ Bug and Tar Remover or 3M™Citrus Base Cleaner. Isopropyl alcohol (IPA) (two parts IPA to 1 part water) or denatured alcohol may also help. Spot clean the contaminants. Do not use rough scrubbing or abrasive tools, which will scratch the film. Wash and rinse off all residue immediately.

Fuel Spills

Wipe off immediately to avoid degrading the vinyl and adhesive. Then wash, rinse and dry as previously noted.

Store Indoors or Under Cover

Wrap films (just like paint) are degraded by prolonged exposure to sun and atmospheric pollutants, particularly on the horizontal surfaces such as hood, trunk lid and roof. Whenever possible, store your vehicle in a garage or at least in a shaded area during the day. At night, protect the car from dew or rain, which may contain acidic pollutants (a common problem in many large metropolitan areas). When a garage is not available, consider using a cloth car cover at night. If your wrap film starts to discolor or turn brown (which is caused by acidic pollution), immediately have a professional remove the wrap film from the vehicle to avoid staining the underlying paint.

Window Graphics

Never use an ice scraper on or near your window graphic as it can cause the material to scratch, stretch, or tear. If a scraper must be used, pay close attention to the edges of the window graphic to keep the scraper from affecting the material. Scrapers may be used on glass surfaces only.

*Please note, while the manufacturer’s warranty is 12 months for window films, most window graphics will last the life of the rest of the graphics.

Concerns

NOTE: Watch out for small imperfections that can occur over time due to weather changes and/or installation obstacles. Things such as lifting and bubbling need to be brought to our attention right away so that we can determine the best remedy.