WRAPS - Handwash only?

[AZFox]

Is that theory or IRL? Cuz, AZ and stuff?

The Phoenix Metro Area has big haboobs.

 

[kvermeer]

The Phoenix Metro Area has big haboobs.

Sandblasting, then scrubbing, then a spot-free rinse... Sounds like you're just about ready for paint!

 

[Doctors Do Little]

The Phoenix Metro Area has big haboobs.

Easy there, Cowboy. This is a family show.

Oh wait, sand shit-storms? Why didn’t you say so!

 

[Luxrage]

Was that a vinyl sticker or printed sticker? The ones with pictures printed on vinyl are not very durable to car washes. I have had cars with vinyl stripes that did very well in car washes. I also have my EV Trek decal on the back window on my Equinox EV for over two years and it is still holding up after a bi weekly car wash and sometimes a weekly one in the winter. Much also has to do with the quality Vinyl used.

It was definitely printed now that I think about it. I've got another printed one that is holding up way better, and one that was rated for 'outdoor' that also seems to be surviving. That original sticker must have been really cheaply made.

 

[Super Slate]

Here is my 2 cents of long information. I personally have a couple of car washes. One is a 3 bay all touchless bays. The other site has 3 bays, one soft touch bay and 2 touchless. I have a lot of customers with wraps and vinyl lettering that wash mainly in the touchless bays, but I have some that swear by the soft touch bay. The touchless bays high pressure rinses run at around 1050 to 1150 psi at about 14 to 16 inches off of the vehicle. I have never had a complaint of damaged wraps. I have been in the car wash business for a very long time and at the beginning of my career I built car washes for new investors. So, what I will tell you that could damage a wrap or vinyl lettering in a touchless bay is zero degree nozzles. If they are not setup correctly with the proper speed and distance from the vehicle the Vinyl will start to peel. Keep in mind this only applies to touchless bays that have zero degree nozzles on the spray arch (that’s the spray arm that goes around the vehicle). All my bays have fan nozzles like you see on most pressure washers. I’m getting mine wrapped and I wash a minimum of 3 to 4 times a week, so we’ll see. I’m sure there are all kinds of different qualities of wraps and at $500 I don’t believe those wraps will be at a high quality. Just my opinion. Well,
I hope this info helps in someway.

 

[Tom Sawyer]

All good info - it's good to hear people's experiences.

It is my understanding that Slate will be offering a wrap perforated with holes for an easier installation. If that's the case, how will those wraps will hold up over time and what can get past the film barrier. Maybe that's why they are expected to last ~3 years.

 

[Johnologue]

I’m sure there are all kinds of different qualities of wraps and at $500 I don’t believe those wraps will be at a high quality.

Man, I hope they're good quality, and only cheap because of the simple geometry and economy of scale. Good to have more context/opinions on that, and interesting to learn more about car washes.

 

[Doctors Do Little]

All good info - it's good to hear people's experiences.

It is my understanding that Slate will be offering a wrap perforated with holes for an easier installation. If that's the case, how will those wraps will hold up over time and what can get past the film barrier. Maybe that's why they are expected to last ~3 years.

That’s great feedback. My understanding is growing and plans evolving. Maybe I just plan on washing in car wash (if they have a proper soft top for open version) weekly and look forward to the $1K outlay when I cut it loose to a kid in a couple of years?
Otherwise I’ll be in the driveway using my pressure washer with the right soaps and settings.
And wax? What’s the story on waxing?

 

[KHN707]

And wax? What’s the story on waxing?

And are the care / wax recommendations different for gloss, satin, and matte finishes?

 

[Doctors Do Little]

And are the care / wax recommendations different for gloss, satin, and matte finishes?

Im a troglodyte comparatively when it comes to these finer points on finishes…(my mind: “ugh…dirty….Must wash….must dry…put back in garage…”. Yeah, that’s it. Lots of opportunities to grow.)

 

[KHN707]

Im a troglodyte comparatively when it comes to these finer points on finishes…(my mind: “ugh…dirty….Must wash….must dry…put back in garage…”. Yeah, that’s it. Lots of opportunities to grow.)

I rarely get past the "must wash" phase. Living in Michigan on a dirt road the half-life of a carwash is about 30 minutes.
I'm more concerned with unwittingly inflicting damage e.g. dulling the gloss, glossing the matte, shortening lifespan, etc.

 

[Doctors Do Little]

I rarely get past the "must wash" phase. Living in Michigan on a dirt road the half-life of a carwash is about 30 minutes.
I'm more concerned with unwittingly inflicting damage e.g. dulling the gloss, glossing the matte, shortening lifespan, etc.

I grew up on a quarter-mile long gravel lane. I feel. Yet, my dad never washed his truck and always washed my mom's car on Saturday evening "for church" - then he would drive veeerrrrrrrryyyyy slowly on Sunday morning on the way, but then haul ass on the way back? One of life's mysteries.

 

[kvermeer]

It is my understanding that Slate will be offering a wrap perforated with holes for an easier installation. If that's the case, how will those wraps will hold up over time and what can get past the film barrier. Maybe that's why they are expected to last ~3 years.

The film was described as having "air release channels", this is usually done by adding some texture to the adhesive:

The air flows through the valleys in the adhesive and out between the smooth substrate.

It's only rated for 3 years because some people will leave their trucks parked in the Arizona sun where the UV will bleach all the colorant out of the plastic.

And wax? What’s the story on waxing?

You probably want a ceramic spray, not wax.

 

[Doctors Do Little]

The film was described as having "air release channels", this is usually done by adding some texture to the adhesive:

The air flows through the valleys in the adhesive and out between the smooth substrate.

It's only rated for 3 years because some people will leave their trucks parked in the Arizona sun where the UV will bleach all the colorant out of the plastic.



You probably want a ceramic spray, not wax.

Roger that. I have had some good experience with ceramics.

 

[Tom Sawyer]

look forward to the $1K outlay when I cut it loose to a kid in a couple of years?

Look, I don't know you but you seem like a nice guy. And maybe all doctors see things the same way? But you won't have to pay someone $1k to 'cut loose' your Slate truck. Instead I'll pay you for your truck.