How Salt Affects Vinyl Wraps: What Every Driver Should Know
- Is Salt a Problem for Wrapped Vehicles?
- Signs of Salt Damage on a Vinyl Wrap
- How to Protect a Vinyl Wrap from Salt
- What Happens if Salt Damage is Ignored
- How Long a Wrap Should Last with Proper Care
- When to Repair vs Replace a Salt-Damaged Wrap
- Final Thoughts: Protect Your Wrap from Salt Before it’s Too Late
Is Salt a Problem for Wrapped Vehicles?
A similar problem between wrapped and unwrapped vehicles is their problem with salt. Both salt from roads in the winter and coastal salty air can have negative impacts on cars when owners aren’t proactively fighting back. Below, we’ll dive into why salt does this to vinyl wraps, signs that damage is setting in to your wrap, how to wash your wrap to remove said salt, and when it’s time to repair or replace your wrap.
Road salt vs coastal salt air
Both road salt and coastal salt air can have eroding effects on your vehicle. How they achieve this damage is different: road salt, while only used in colder months, comes in high concentrations that can erode the bottom and lower sides of your vehicle in particular. Coastal salt air isn’t as aggressive in any given moment, but the persistence of the air can threaten paint jobs and accelerate rust overall.
How salt dries out vinyl
In practice, salt essentially attacks your vinyl. The sharp salt crystals that form can scratch the protective layer while other chemicals in road salt mixes can corrode the material itself. These scratches and corrosion not only cause the wrap to look tired and dull on the surface, but also create deeper problems where water and other chemicals can seep in further increasing damages.
Salt buildup at wrap seams and edges
In practice, wrap seams and edges will accumulate the most salt build up compared to other locations. This is important to keep in mind as we begin to address the salt itself.
Signs of Salt Damage on a Vinyl Wrap
You can tell when salt is beginning to damage your vinyl wrap in a few different ways. For one, discolocation through dullness is a sign your wrap is accumulating damage. As damage progresses, peeling can occur near the edges, bubbles can begin to appear, and the adhesive as a whole begins to fail. When these signs start manifesting, it’s time to look into a new wrap.
How to Protect a Vinyl Wrap from Salt
Naturally, proactively fighting back against salt damages is the best way to protect your vinyl wrap. Here are some superior practices for doing just that:
Proper washing frequency in winter
Proper washing frequency in the winter can depend on how often you drive and how often salt is being deployed on the roads. In general, it’s recommended to gently wash your wrap every 1-2 weeks. As a reminder, edges and seams of your wrap will accumulate the most salt build up and should be particularly addressed during cleaning.
Safe cleaning products to use
When cleaning, you’ll want to opt for a hand wash with mild soap. Warm water, microfiber towels, and a mild soap will protect your wrap while effectively removing any salt build up or residues. Absolutely avoid automatic car washes as they can actually cause more damage to your wrap.
Why sealants and ceramic toppers help
Sealants and ceramic coats on top of a wrap will add another layer of protection against road salts and other elements. Cleaning these top coats is easy and prevents damages from reaching any deeper, to your wrap or vehicle itself.
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What Happens if Salt Damage is Ignored
When salt damage is ignored on a vinyl wrap, you can expect the quality and fit of the wrap to decline. This manifests as a dulling of the wrap color, scratches in the wrap, as well as peeling and bubbling over the vehicle. What’s more, as the wrap itself becomes increasingly damaged, your vehicle underneath can also begin to take on salt-related damages.
How Long a Wrap Should Last with Proper Care
High-quality, properly installed, properly cared for wraps can last anywhere from 5 to 7 years. Proper care here entails regular, gentle washing while reducing exposure to the fading UV rays from the sun.
When to Repair vs Replace a Salt-Damaged Wrap
Over time, damages will affect your wrap regardless of how great your care is. In these circumstances, you can choose to repair small damages or replace the wrap entirely. The decision here can depend on how much damage has accumulated. For example, if only the back bumper needs replacing, a professional can just address the bumper to get your car back and up to par.
Final Thoughts: Protect Your Wrap from Salt Before it’s Too Late
Salt is coming for all our vehicles, both road salt and coastal salty air. To battle back and protect your wrap, being proactive is the best approach through regular, gentle washes. Beyond just a vinyl coating, ceramic coats and sealants can provide an additional layer of protection against salt and the other elements. Over time, as damages do accumulate, selectively repairing or replacing your vinyl wrap is the best way to continue the battle. Whether you’re opting for repairs, replacement, or just general vinyl tips for your vehicle, go online or contact Zach Wraps today!
