08-12-2022More than a decade of outdoor advertising research leaves no doubt: vehicle graphics are the #1 most cost-effective tool for business promotion and branding. But if you want to maximize your return on investment (ROI), proper upkeep is essential, and Houston Graphic signs is here to help.
Read on to learn about the value of vehicle graphic upkeep, how to maintain your brand image on your own, and when to roll into our shop for a restoration service, or call (713)-244-8704 to speak directly with a vehicle graphic specialist in Houston, TX.
The promotional power of vehicle graphics has been born out by multiple studies. For example:
But in order to maintain this kind of promotional power, you need to maintain your vehicle graphics. It’s simple: the longer you can extend the life of your vehicle graphics, the more money they’ll make you.
Fortunately, cleaning and maintaining your vehicle graphics is easy, and even a little bit of effort goes a long way.
According to one study by the Journal of Marketing, for each additional hour your maintenance efforts keep your vehicle graphics in service, your business gains 3,000 impressions, which translates to 3,000 potential sales (Van Eyk, 2008).
Clearly, maintenance is a real money-maker, but what constitutes proper maintenance, exactly? Read on to learn more, or call (713)-244-8704 to speak directly with a vehicle graphic specialist
1. Clean your vehicle graphics regularly. The longer you leave grit, grime, and difficult contaminants in place, the harder they’ll be to clean off, so act fast when you see your graphics getting dirty. Sometimes a simple water rinse will suffice, but if you need a little extra cleaning power, choose a wet, non-abrasive detergent and work the area with an automotive sponge or microfiber cloth.
2. Handle tough stains with care. Stubborn stains can be frustrating but resist the urge to break out the steel wool scrubbers and caustic cleaners. Aggressive scrubbing with hard tools can scratch, rip, and tear your vehicle graphic, and many cleaners can cause fading, adhesive failure, and other visual damage, especially if they contain solvents, paint thinners, or abrasive components.
Instead, try soaking the contaminants in hot, soapy water, then attempt to clean the area as normal once the stains have softened. You may need to repeat this process a few times. If that doesn’t work, get in touch with our vehicle graphic experts for some vinyl-safe cleaning product recommendations.
3. Practice safe storage. If possible, we recommend parking your branded vehicles indoors, as this will minimize their exposure to UV rays, inclement weather, and atmospheric pollutants. If this isn’t an option, you can use cloth covers to shield your vehicle graphic from the elements. It’s also a good idea to park in shady spots when possible.
4. Skip the wax. Vehicle graphics do not require any wax, and as a matter of fact, certain carnauba and synthetic waxes can actually damage the finish.
5. Be careful with cleaning technology. Avoid taking your branded vehicles through brush car washes, as low-quality brushes can scratch and dull your graphics. If you want to power-wash your vehicle, make sure to keep the pressure below 2000 psi, keep the temperature under 180 °F (80 °C), and keep the nozzle at least 1 foot away from the target, with the jet stream always held perpendicular to the graphic, particularly around the edges.
Even with proper storage and consistent upkeep, no vehicle graphics will last forever. After years of faithful service, wear-and-tear accumulates, and your vehicle graphics may begin to fade and discolor, as was the case for Zesty Cleaners:
But when that day finally comes, don’t make the mistake of paying full price for a replacement. Our vehicle graphic restoration team will help you pinpoint the exact problem areas, then fix it for a fraction of the cost. Whether you need a minor repair, a sizeable restoration, or a full-on replacement, we do it all under one roof, and we guarantee:
Your vehicle graphic restoration service is also a great way to spot opportunities for upgrades. If you want to take advantage of any new vehicle graphic materials, finishes, or manufacturing technologies that have come out since your initial order, now’s the time. In the case of Zesty Cleaners, the client chose to switch over to all-white vehicle graphics, which not only cranked up the contrast for more conspicuous messaging, but also makes their branding less likely to fade and discolor under the sun.
The results of our vehicle graphic restorations speak for themselves!
To schedule a free consultation and get a free quote on any vehicle graphics order, you can:
References
Van Eyk, R. (2008). Move your brand forward. Journal of Marketing, 2008(02), 32-33.
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