Best Tips for Caring for Fleet Graphics in Winter

Caring for fleet graphics in winter is essential for maintaining your brand’s professional appearance and the longevity of the graphics, especially if you face snow, cold, and ice in the winter months. Here’s how to care for your fleet vehicle graphics during harsh winter weather. Follow these tips to ensure your fleet graphics stay vibrant and damage-free.

Best Tips for Caring for Fleet Graphics in Winter

1. Avoid Using Ice Scrapers

Avoid using ice scrapers or snow shovels to clear snow and ice from your vehicle, as they can harm both the paint and vinyl graphics. A better option is to use tools like a soft-bristle broom, a cloth, or a foam brush designed for vehicle surfaces. These options are ideal because they are gentle enough to prevent scratches on the vinyl while still being robust enough to remove snow effectively.

2. Prevent Ice Build-Up

Allowing snow to sit and turn into ice can cause it to stick to vinyl graphics, making it challenging to remove without causing damage. To avoid build-up, aim to clear snow from your vehicle at least once daily during heavy snowfall. Regularly clearing snow prevents this issue.

3. Keep Your Vehicle Clean

Road grime mixed with snow and ice can seep into and stain your fleet graphics in winter. For example, prolonged exposure to dirty snow can leave behind dark streaks or patches that are difficult to remove, permanently dulling the vibrant colors of your wrap. Regular cleaning helps prevent discoloration and damage.

“It is recommended that vehicle graphics should be cleaned on a regular basis or whenever they appear dirty. Ideally, a vehicle wrap should be cleaned every two weeks. Spot cleaning of contaminants like bugs, bird droppings, tree sap, and tar should be done immediately, as these can stain and damage the PVC film.” — Avery Dennison

4. Remove Road Salt Immediately

Road salt can cause corrosion and wreak havoc on your vehicle’s graphics. Washing salt off promptly prevents rust, which can compromise the adhesive vinyl.

“Don’t let salt accumulate on your vehicle. Adhesive vinyl resists salt, but long-term exposure can lead to damage. Even vinyl protected with a clear coat may show wear from extended salt exposure.” — FAQ: Will Road Salt Damage My Vehicle Graphics?

5. If Possible, Avoid Pressure Washing

In general, it’s best to avoid pressure washing your vehicle wrap. Ideally, hand washing is best, but your vehicle can be run through a touchless automated car wash.  The use of brush car washes (depending upon the frequency and quality of brush) may cause dulling/scratching/lifting edge of the graphics.

If hand washing and touchless car washes are not an option for you, pressure washing may be done carefully under the following conditions:

• Ensure the water pressure is kept below 2000 psi
• Keep water temperature below 180°F
• Use a spray nozzle with a 40 degree wide angle spray pattern
• Keep the nozzle at least 12″ away from the graphic
• Keep the nozzle perpendicular (at 90 degrees) to the graphic

For a complete care guide, see the full graphics care procedures guide from 3M for more details.

6. Park Indoors When Possible

If you have access to a garage, park your vehicle indoors to protect it from winter weather. For those without a garage, following the steps above will help safeguard your graphics. Not only does parking in the garage help care for fleet graphics in winter, but also in the summer; protecting it from heat and harmful UV rays.

Why Caring for Fleet Graphics in Winter Matters

Cleaning your vehicle in sub-freezing temperatures may not be fun, but it ensures your investment lasts. By using proper tools to clear snow, keeping your vehicle clean, removing road salt promptly, and preventing ice build-up, you can ensure your graphics remain vibrant and intact. These simple steps help protect your investment and extend the lifespan of your fleet graphics. 

Take these precautions this winter to protect your investment, and your fleet graphics will remain vibrant and professional-looking for years to come!

Why Choose TKO Graphix?

TKO Graphix is a national fleet graphics company helping customers since 1985. We provide full-service solutions for fleet branding including graphic design, digital printing, screen printing, graphics installation, and removal of large format graphics.

We’ve been helping businesses, large and small, brand their fleet of tractor-trailers, service trucks, and company vehicles for more than 38 years. Whether you have a fleet of thousands or a few vehicles, we are here to lead you through the fleet branding process.

As a result of our high standards in quality products and production, we are proud to be certified by 3M™ and able to offer the 3M™ MCS™ Warranty, the gold standard in graphics warranties. This warranty demonstrates our commitment to excellence and gives customers a greater peace of mind.

If you’d like commercial vehicle graphics designed to capture attention, printed with state-of-the-art equipment on quality 3M film, and installed by 3M certified installers, we’re here to help. Request a free quote today.