Automotive Elegance

Maintenance and Aftercare

Table of Contents

Once your vehicle has received paint protection filmceramic coating, vinyl wrap, or window tint, you will need to clean and care for it properly.

For a start, avoid using car washes as their abrasive equipment and cleaning techniques can damage any of these products and void the warranty. We always recommend hand washing your vehicle, but if handing washing your vehicle is not a viable option, due to space, or weather, we recommend a “non-touch” car wash.  

Using the appropriate aftercare products and methods will ensure the product looks great and functions properly, and that the warranty stays valid. Refer to the instructions for your specific product listed below so you can keep your vehicle looking its best.

XPEL Manufacturer Aftercare Guide Reference: https://www.xpel.com/care

XPEL Ultimate Plus Gloss

  1. Wait 48 hours after installation to wash your car.
  2. Remove insect or other stains as soon as possible with XPEL Film Cleaner.
  3. Stubborn stains can be removed with 99% isopropyl alcohol. Take care to keep these chemicals off the vehicle’s paint.
  4. Seal with XPEL Flawless Finish Paint Protection Film Sealant at least once every 3 months to preserve high gloss. 
  5. Light scratches in the film will self-heal in 20-30 minutes at room temperature. In colder conditions, or to accelerate the process, pour warm water (120°F) over the affected area.
  6. Avoid using a pressure washer or high-pressure water source near the edges of the film, it can cause the film to lift and/or become damaged.
  7.  Detailing Clay can be used to remove contaminants that are on the film.
  8. Waxing: For waxing, use any preferred brand of spray wax only. Compound wax can get stuck in the edges of film.

XPEL Stealth

  1. Wait 48 hours after installation to wash your car.
  2. Remove insect or other stains as soon as possible with XPEL Film Cleaner.
  3. Stubborn stains can be removed with 99% isopropyl alcohol or lacquer thinner. Take care to keep these chemicals off the vehicle’s paint.
  4. You may use XPEL Flawless Finish Paint Protection Film Sealant to help preserve the finish, although beware if you do not apply in a uniform pattern, it can cause the film to look uneven. It is advised to be professionally applied. 
  5. Light scratches in the film will self-heal in 20-30 minutes at room temperature. In colder conditions, or to accelerate the process, pour warm water (120°F) over the affected area.
  6. Avoid using a pressure washer or high-pressure water source near the edges of the film, it can cause the film to lift and/or become damaged.
  7. Waxing: For waxing, use any preferred brand of spray wax only. Compound wax can get stuck in the edges of film.

XPEL Fusion Plus ™ Ceramic Coating

Washing:

  1. We recommend washing your vehicle weekly or bi-weekly to avoid excess contaminants from building up using a mild car dedicated soap of your choice.
  2. Avoid washing in direct sunlight to minimize streaking and water spotting, causing you added labor. 
  3. Wash your vehicle by starting with the roof and moving downwards so the dirtiest sections are left for last. This also prevents cross contamination.
  4. Avoid high volume brush style car washes, and high PH detergent style cleaners, as their abrasiveness can damage the ceramic coating. 

Drying:

  1. Although not much water should remain after washing thanks to the ceramic coating’s repelling qualities, dry your vehicle completely using a clean, soft, lint-free microfiber towel or air blower.

Waxing:

  1. Only apply a wax product that is made of the same base as the ceramic coating. The XPEL ceramic coatings that we apply use silica as their base, so use a spray wax product that also contains silica. Avoid using any rubbing compound or traditional wax. 
  2. We recommend using XPEL Ceramic Boost which was designed to protect and clean your ceramic coating, helping it repel dust, contaminants, and light scratches. It also gives your coating added shine. You can easily order this product by giving us a call!

Vinyl Wraps

 Washing:

  1. Wash promptly when your vehicle appears dirty; contaminants allowed to stay on vinyl graphics or wraps can become more difficult to remove the longer they sit. 
  2. Spray your vehicle thoroughly with water first to remove excess dirt and debris.
  3. To safely remove bug splatter, bird droppings, and pine sap, let these areas soak in very hot, soapy water for several minutes, then rinse thoroughly and dry. 
  4. Use a non-abrasive detergent such as your favorite mild car dedicated soap.

Drying:

  1. Rinse thoroughly with clean water. Use a silicone squeegee to remove water and finish drying with a clean microfiber cloth. 
  2. Avoid rough scrubbing or using abrasive tools to clean your vehicle. 

Waxing:

  1. For waxing, use any preferred brand of spray wax only. Compound wax can fog the vinyl film.