Proper Cleaning Materials for a Car Wrap

The best car washing products are those that clean the vehicle quickly and thoroughly, but also protect the paint by pulling dirt and grit away from the surface during the wash process. The best car wash materials, according to car wrapping Denver specialists, are also those that then release the dirt and grit into the rinse water so that they do not themselves become abrasive during the wash. With a quality product, rinsing often will help protect the clear coat during both the wash and car drying process. Any car washing product that comes into contact with a vehicles’ paint (or clear coat) then should have the following characteristics:

  • Soft or Non-abrasive
  • Nap (deep pile)
  • Holds Lots of Soapy Water
  • Release dirt and grit when rinsed

Very Soft or Non-abrasive Material

Any product that comes into contact with a vehicle’s paint should obviously be as soft as possible. Many types of disposable towels, such as paper towels, are made from wood pulp and the fibers are much more rigid and can easily scratch and leave swirl marks in the paint finish. Only materials with pliant fibers and lots of nap should be used for car washing.

Have Plenty of Nap (deep pile)

Nap is the product of many fibers that stick out, or are unwoven, from the material. Nap is what gives a material the characteristic of “softness”. Materials with more nap have the ability to pull dirt and grit up into the material and trap it away from the surface that is in contact with the paint. The more nap a product has the softer it feels and the more effective it will be at removing dirt and grit from the surface and protecting the finish.

Holds Lots of Soapy Water

The amount of soapy water the material holds is also an important factor in choosing a car washing product. Soapy water provides an additional buffer between the sponge, mitt or cloth and the car’s finish. The soapy water will also help breakdown and loosen dirt and grit from the surface and make it easier for the product to then remove it and pull it into the fibers.

Release Dirt and Grit when Rinsed

The best car was products are also those that release any trapped dirt and grit trapped in the fibers into the rinse water so that they themselves do not become saturated. The ability of a material to release dirt into the rinse water will prevent it from becoming abrasive over the course of the wash process. The greater the ability of the material to release dirt and grit into the rinse water, the cleaner the product will be when it is reapplied to the vehicle’s finish, and the less chance there will be to damage the paint.

Car Washing Cloths Mitts and Sponges

Natural Leather Chamois

Although chamois’ have traditionally been used to dry cars, based on the above criteria, they can also be used for the wash process. They are soft, have lots of nap, hold 5-6 times their own weight in soapy water, and release dirt and grit very well. However, because they can become discolored when used in the wash process, it is a good practice to have a separate chamois for use in the drying process. It is much easier to see any dirt and grit in the chamois that might be left on the vehicle with a non-discolored chamois. This will help to quickly identify when the wash process needs to be repeated.

Mitts

There are several types of material that are commonly used for wash mitts and each has its own characteristics.

Cotton mitts have been available for many years and are comparatively inexpensive. They are reasonably soft, have some nap, and hold soapy water. However, they do not release dirt and grit as well as some of the other common materials.

Microfiber mitts are a more recent development and have several advantages over cotton mitts. Microfiber is typically softer and has more nap per square inch than cotton. And because of the amount of nap, microfiber is exceptional at pulling dirt and grit away from the surface and trapping it in the material. It also holds more water and soap than traditional cotton weaves. But microfiber does not release trapped dirt and grit well, and as a result a microfiber mitt can become saturated over the course of the wash process. Laundering in a washing machine will restore a microfiber mitt, but that isn’t practical in the middle of washing a particularly dirty vehicle.

Lamb’s wool mitts are becoming increasingly popular. They are extremely soft and have more nap than the other products listed. They hold lots of soapy water and release dirt and grit when rinsed better than most other products. Lamb’s wool mitts can, however, cost slightly more than other products

Sponges

One of the most common and inexpensive types of sponges is the Grout Sponge. These types of sponges are available from auto parts stores, big box chains and home improvement stores. They are not particularly soft and because they are synthetic and cut to shape, they don’t have any nap other than the small degree provided by the holes from the air bubbles that formed in the manufacture process. However, the comparatively greater percentage of flat surface area (without nap) can trap dirt and grit between the surface of the sponge and the paint and cause scratches and swirl marks. Like all sponges, they do hold lots of soapy water and release the small amount of dirt and grit they are able to pick up into the rinse water well.

Microfiber-wrapped sponges are much softer than regular sponges and, because they have a sponge at the core, hold lots of soapy water. The additional nap provided by the microfiber material wrapped around the outside is great at pulling particles away from the surface and trapping it in the material. But, like all microfiber, they do not release that dirt and grit into the rinse water as well as some other products.

Chamois-Wrapped Sponges provide an alternative that retains all of the good properties of microfiber-wrapped sponges, but in additional to those will also release dirt and grit into the rinse water much more effectively.

Natural Sea Sponges are not as widely available and can cost slightly more than some of the other products, but are often used by professional detailers on high-end vehicles such as Ferrari’s, Lamborghini’s, and Porsche’s, because of their excellent characteristics as a car washing product. They are highly recommended by the car wrapping Denver specialists. Although there are many types of natural sea sponges, the best type for car washing applications is the Sea Wool sponge. Sea Wool sponges are extremely soft and have an abundance of naturally occurring nap. They hold more soapy water than most other products and release dirt and grit better than any other material available. In addition, unlike synthetic sponges and microfiber, which are petroleum-based products, natural sea sponges are a renewable resource.

What is a Car Wrap and Why You Should Try One

Vehicle wraps are one of the least expensive forms of advertising available. The one time cost of having the wrap installed on your vehicle will pay dividends over and over each time you drive your vehicle. When you consider how many cars are on the road each day, you know that every person you pass while in your car is a potential customer that is seeing your business clearly advertised.

What Exactly is a Vehicle Wrap?

Car wraps are exactly what the name implies. They are simply a shell, or cover, that wraps around the car like cellophane and covers the paint underneath. This way you can use your vehicle as a moving billboard that will get lots of exposure. If you change your mind or simply want the wrap removed, a car wrap Denver specialist can  easily remove it without damaging the finish underneath. They can be any color or design you desire and offer a fairly inexpensive way to get the word out about your business.

How Can a Car Wrap Denver, Colorado Professional Help My Business?

The advertising world is a competitive one with many businesses vying for the attention and wallet of potential customers. Consumers are inundated each day with ads on television, billboards, and in printed form. Depending on the media or type of ad, this can be very costly for a business. Small local businesses have difficulty competing with larger businesses simply because they don’t have the advertising budget of larger companies. This is where a car wrap can be an economical and powerful advertising avenue for smaller and more localized businesses.

When you think about commuters and how much time they spend on the road each day, you know that they are more than likely working over problems or tasks that they need to get done while they are waiting in traffic. If your business offers a service that they need, they are going to see the bright vehicle graphics and the seed will be planted in their minds. If you have a window repair service and they are staring through a cracked windshield, seeing your car wrap may give them the nudge they need to get it done.

Some companies attempt to reach out to potential customers through methods like telemarketing or direct mail advertising. Unfortunately, many consumers perceive these types of advertisements as an intrusion into their privacy and home life. Consumers don’t like to feel like they’re being sold to and studies show that they are more likely to buy if they don’t feel pressured or put upon by the seller. By having a car wrapped, you’re reaching many more potential customers and doing it in a way that they don’t feel you’re intruding. People are much more likely to buy when they are already in a shopping or purchasing frame of mind and seeing your vehicle wrap in the local mall parking lot is likely to receive a more positive response from potential customers.

Local businesses really benefit from car wraps simply because you are advertising to potential consumers in your hometown every time you drive somewhere. Exposure is the key to any successful business. Although you offer a great product and great service, if no one knows about it you’re not likely to see much in the way of continued business. The more people that know about your business the better and with a quality product they are going to tell their friends and family about it which only serves to further grow and expand the business.

Sometimes, a car wrap can grab someone’s attention simply because they are bored while sitting at a stoplight. With catchy vehicle graphics or a slogan on the side of your car, you have just reached someone who might otherwise have known nothing about your business or what you have to offer. With this form of advertising, you’re taking your message directly to potential customers without intruding or providing a hard sell. In fact, you may make them smile or provide entertainment for their otherwise monotonous commute.

What Types of Vehicles Can Be Wrapped?

You can put vehicle wraps on just about any vehicle you can think of. If you own a fleet of vehicles for your business, car wraps are a great way to provide vibrant graphics to a large number of vehicles, which are consistent in color and design.

Many city vehicles, trailers and vans all make use of wraps to get their message out in a way that appeals to consumers and keeps advertising costs down. You’ll often see city buses that make use of vehicle wraps to advertise local businesses and earn revenue at the same time.

You can also put vehicle wraps on those vehicles that are directly related to your business. As an example, you could place a wrap on a motorcycle for your motorcycle repair or sales shop. You could put a vehicle wrap on your boat to advertise boats sales, boat repair or your marina. This way, when you’re out on the water you’re advertising directly to potential customers that could use your services.

Whether you’re advertising on your car, van, bus or boat, a vehicle wrap is the perfect way to reach a lot of people while keeping advertising costs down. While providing an eye-catching display for your business, they are making your business a well-known name in your community. Being the known expert in your field adds credibility and confidence to your business and helps by making consumers aware of your services.

If you’re planning your advertising budget, consider using car graphics to maximize your advertising dollar. A one time cost in the beginning provides you with a return on your initial investment every time you drive your vehicle. With no maintenance or ongoing cost, it is simply the best way to advertise to potential customers while keeping your budget in check. With the many choices and types of wraps, there is something available to suit any advertising need and you can choose a style that conveys the image and message that you want to project for your business.

Car Wraps Are Trending

You’ve seen them around town, and in increasing numbers too: vinyl-wrapped cars. Some are very easy to spot if the wrap touts a local business, a product or even a political point of view. Other wraps are not as apparent, as they simply change the color of a car without a repaint. A vinyl car wrap isn’t for everyone– it can make your car look worse or do lasting damage if you’re attempting to conceal a problem.

Entering the Wrap Game

Why wrap a car? Unless the current paint is in top condition, a wrap will usually not disguise the problem.

Keep These Points in Mind

-Vinyl car wrap must have a solid surface to adhere to; otherwise it will not stick. If even a small section of your vehicle has peeling paint, wrapping it will not work. The best approach here is to have your car professionally painted before you proceed with wrapping.

-A scratch, chip or any other defect you want to hide will only be magnified once the wrap is in place. Worse, once you remove the vinyl, the paint in the surrounding area may flake off. Go ahead and fix these flaws before you move forward.

-Another point to keep in mind is that even the smallest rust area on a car is a problem that no car wrap Denver professional can, or should, conceal. The wrap will trap moisture that’s already present in the wrap.

-Perhaps you already had your car repainted. Paint splatter and dripping are problems that no vinyl car wrap will conceal.

Once you resolve these challenges, you’re ready to wrap your vehicle.

Benefits of the Vinyl Car Wrap

We’ve looked at the challenges of using vinyl wrap, but there are some benefits too.

-For instance, vinyl wrap protects the original paint. Wherever vinyl wrap is applied to a car’s surface, the paint underneath is safely covered. This may be especially important if you have an expensive metallic paint on the vehicle or if you have a classic car and want to enhance its value and appearance.

-Vinyl wrap is easy to clean, although cleaning your car by hand is recommended. A power wash or car wash may be too tough on the wrap, which means hand-washing is best. If you find small holes or tears, you can return to the place that installed the wrap for repairs.

Wrapping it All Up

A vinyl car wrap can enhance your car’s appearance for a lower cost than a fresh paint job. You can leave it on for as long as you like, swap it out for a new wrap or return to your car’s previous color by removing it. Just ensure your car’s exterior is in excellent condition before trying one out. Also, be sure to have a true car wrap Denver professional install it!