With the colder weather upon us (kind of), it's important to consider the impact that the temperature and environmental conditions have on custom car wraps. Whether you want a new wrap for your prized vehicle, or you want to take proper care of the vinyl already on your car, here are the DOs and DON'Ts to get you through the next few months.

DON'T wrap your car outside in the winter.

Here's the thing...vinyl expands and contracts in response to the material it's applied to and the temperature of the air around it. If you attempt to wrap your vehicle during the winter months, the vinyl will most likely become brittle and non-pliable. This just won't work. The adhesive on the vinyl also will be less effective, which makes the installation next to impossible. Even if you are using material from a reputable manufacturer, it still has minimum temperature requirements for the application of the vinyl. If you don't follow the recommendations from the manufacturer, they will not cover damages or problems encountered by improper installation. Take our advice; it's just not worth the risk.

We use a variety of methods to apply vinyl to vehicles! Felix is wrapping the roof of this Lotus Esprit in our temperature controlled shop...with the help of some scaffolding to protect the body of the vehicle.

DO use a professional for the installation.

Better safe than sorry! You've heard that English idiom, and it holds true with vehicle wraps. It is extremely important to regulate the temperature where you store the vinyl material and where you apply it to your vehicle. At 12-Point SignWorks, we have a large, temperature controlled shop that comfortably can hold up to five standard-sized vehicles. Our garage doors allow for everything from a golf cart to a full size bus to easily enter our shop area. Our professional installers also have experience with using the tools to properly apply the vinyl, such as heat guns, torches, and knifeless tape. Along with the premium manufacturers we work with, we can ensure that you are getting the best service with the best materials in the most ideal environment. 

DON'T use ice scrapers or snow shovels to remove snow, ice, or salt from your vehicle.

Damage to the material is inevitable using scrapers and shovels. Instead, try using a broom or soft cloth to brush away the snow. If you have perforated window vinyl on your vehicle, turn the defroster on and just have patience. :)

DO remove salt and build-up from your vehicle as quickly as possible.

Letting the salt and grime sit on your vehicle for too long can be very corrosive to the vinyl material and the paint. We always recommend hand washing your vehicle as the best option, but a touchless or brushless automatic car wash (without the wax) can safely do the trick. Be sure to remove the salt from all areas of the car, including the undercarriage. You want to keep it rust-free. To guarantee that your vehicle is dry, use a microfiber cloth to gently wipe away all of the water.

DO call us with any questions!

This goes back to being better safe than sorry. If you have any questions about installing vinyl or caring for your wrap during the winter months, let us know. We are happy to advise you on the proper techniques for installation and maintenance. By following our simple DOs and DON'Ts, your custom vehicle wrap will stay in tip-top shape during the cold winter months. 

If you would like a custom wrap for your vehicle, let us know how we can help! We use only the highest quality materials from the best manufacturers of vinyl film. Visit us at our shop to see the wide selection of colors and textures. You also can contact us at (615) 595-6564 or click on the link below to receive a free quote for your custom car wrap. Before you call, consider these five questions so that we can have all of the information we need. Rain, snow, sleet, or shine, we wrap vehicles Monday through Friday!