No matter how creative your designs, your vehicles won't make a great impression if your fleet graphics are grimy and scratched. A little basic maintenance will keep your vans or trucks looking good wherever your team drives.

How to keep your fleet car clean and the graphics pristine! 

Hand Washing

Washing by hand is the safest way to clean your fleet graphics because it gives you better control over the pressure you apply.

• Rinse the vehicle to remove grit that might scratch the graphics as you wash them.
• Mix a solution of mild detergent and water.
• Dip a sponge or soft cloth, such as a terry or microfiber cloth, into the solution and start washing. Work your way from the top down. Avoid scrubbing, which could scratch your graphics.
• Remove bird droppings, bug splatter and other stuck-on debris by dabbing on hot, soapy water and letting the spot soak for a few minutes.
• Rinse the vehicle again to remove soap residue.
• Let the vehicle air dry or dry it with a soft towel. Gently dab the vehicle graphic's edges to avoid peeling them.

Letting the car air dry can increase the lifespan of your graphics and lettering. 

Pressure Washing

Although not ideal, this method can be used with care.

• Set the water temperature below 180 degrees.
• Set the water pressure below 1200 psi and use a 40-degree wide-angle spray nozzle.
• Bring the nozzle no closer than 12 inches to the graphic's edges and aim the flow of water straight at the vehicle. Spraying at an angle could chip the graphics or lift the edges.

Don't let this little guy get peeled off! Be extra cautious around the corners of vinyl graphics when using a pressure washer. 

Truck, van and car graphics can be lightly polished with polish designed for vehicle wraps. Don't wax matte films or you may end up with unwanted shine or residue buildup.

Are your old fleet graphics not quite what they used to be? Ready for a new design? At 12-Point SignWorks, we can set you up with custom graphics that grab attention for all the right reasons.