AFTERCARE GUIDE
TEXTURED FINISH · V2
CARING FOR YOUR WRAP
Brushed & carbon
care guide.
Brushed, carbon fibre, matrix and shadow films have a physical texture pressed into the surface. That grain is the finish, and it's also a trap. Anything thick enough to sit in it, like wax, polish, tyre shine or a heavy sealant, dries there and turns pale, and no amount of washing brings it back. The routine is the ordinary one. What changes is that nothing goes on the film that isn't designed to rinse straight off.
YOUR FINISH
01
Your film
Whichever of the three is on your car, the routine is the same. The films differ in how they're made, not in how they're washed.
3M 2080
Cast film with Controltac and Comply. 3M specifies a cleaner that is non-abrasive, solvent-free and pH 3 to 11.
Avery SW900
Cast film. Same routine as above: pH-neutral shampoo, no solvents, no abrasives.
KPMF K75000
Cast film, often a specialty or colour-shift finish. Treat it as the most delicate of the three.
02
The wash workflow
1
Pre-rinse
Pressure wash from 30cm+ away. Grit sits deeper in a textured film than a flat one, so rinse longer than feels necessary before anything touches the panels.
2
Snow foam
Apply a pH-neutral pre-wash foam. Let it dwell 3 to 5 minutes. Rinse off before it dries. This step does more work here than on a flat film: it lifts what a mitt can't reach.
3
Contact wash
Two buckets, grit guards, soft microfibre mitt. Light pressure. Pushing hard drives dirt into the grain instead of lifting it out.
4
Dry
Blower first if you have one. It clears water out of the texture that a towel will only spread. Then a plush microfibre, patted rather than dragged.
03
Recommended products
Everything below rinses clean out of a texture instead of drying in it. Use what you like, but these are what we use in the bay.
Step 2 · Pre-wash
Bowden's Own Snow Job
pH neutral pre-wash foam. On a textured film this is the step that matters most, because it cleans without contact. Aussie made.
Available at Supercheap Auto
Step 3 · Contact wash
Bowden's Own Nanolicious Wash
pH neutral and salt-free. Rinses clean out of a grain instead of drying in it. Aussie made.
Available at Supercheap Auto
Optional · Protection
Gyeon Q²M Cure Matte Redefined
The matte and satin sealant, and the safer choice here too. It adds beading without leaving a film that can pale in the texture. Spot test on a hidden panel first.
Available at Gyeon Australia
04
Do & don't
SAFE FOR TEXTURED
✓pH neutral shampoo, the most boring one on the shelf
✓Soft microfibre mitt, light pressure, straight lines
✓Two-bucket method with grit guards
✓Snow foam, and plenty of it
✓A blower to clear water out of the grain
✓Touchless car washes occasionally (skip the hot wax cycle)
✓Spot test any new product on a hidden panel first
WILL DAMAGE THE FINISH
✕Any wax, polish or carnauba. It dries pale in the texture and stays
✕Anything promising shine, gloss or lustre
✕Automatic brush car washes. Brushes flatten the grain permanently
✕Cutting compounds or polishing pads
✕Tyre shine or dressing overspray landing on a panel
✕Solvents, petrol, thinners, harsh degreasers
✕Scrubbing hard at a mark. It drives dirt deeper in
Quick test: Ask one question of any bottle: would this rinse completely off, or does it leave something behind? Anything that leaves a layer will leave it in the grain, where it goes pale and can't be polished out. Polishing is the one thing you can't do to a textured film.
05
If something happens to the wrap
Most of this is about speed. The faster you deal with it, the less chance it leaves a mark.
Bird droppings
Remove immediately. They're highly acidic and will etch into the vinyl within hours in direct sun. Soak with warm water for 30 seconds, then lift gently with a microfibre. Don't scrub.
Fuel or oil spill
Wipe off as fast as possible with a clean microfibre, then wash the area with pH neutral shampoo. Petroleum products can soften the adhesive if left to sit. This is a "deal with it now" situation.
Tree sap
Soak the spot with warm soapy water for a few minutes to soften, then wipe away. If stubborn, isopropyl alcohol (70%) on a microfibre will lift it. Spot test first, then wash the area normally afterward.
Bug splatter
Pre-soak with warm soapy water, never scrub dry. The longer they sit the worse it gets. Avoid dedicated bug and tar removers unless they're specifically rated as vinyl-safe.
Scratch or scuff
Don't buff it, and don't try heat yourself. On a textured film both flatten the grain and leave a smooth patch that catches the light from every angle. Send a photo. A scuff in a textured panel is usually a panel replacement rather than a repair, and it's better to know that early.
Wax on it by mistake
Rinse it off immediately with pH neutral shampoo and plenty of water, before it dries. If it has already dried pale, stop and send a photo. The fix is not more product.
Edge lifting
Small lifts on edges (door jambs, bumpers) can usually be re-set with gentle heat. Don't try to push it back down cold, it'll crease. Get in touch and we'll sort it.
Stone chip or cut
Cover the exposed area with tape if it's deep enough to expose paint, especially before driving in the rain. Bring it in. Small damage can usually be patched invisibly if caught early.
06
A few last things
THE FIRST WEEK
Avoid washing for 72 hours after install
Avoid pressure washing for 7 days
Small bubbles or moisture under the film? Normal. They settle within 7 to 14 days
Avoid extreme cold or heat where possible
LONG TERM
Park undercover or in shade where possible
Avoid leaving the car uncleaned for weeks at a time
UV is the wrap's main enemy. Sealant helps
Most quality wraps last 5 to 7 years with proper care
QUESTIONS, DAMAGE, OR ANYTHING YOU'RE UNSURE ABOUT
Get in touch.
If you're unsure whether something is safe for your wrap, message us before you try it. A quick photo or DM beats a permanent shiny patch every time.
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22/2135 Frankston Flinders Rd, Hastings 3915 VIC
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Your wrap is covered by a 6 month Wrapn'em workmanship warranty, plus the film manufacturer's own warranty passed through on their terms. Damage from brush car washes, abrasives, solvents or neglected contaminants isn't covered, so this guide matters.
WRAPNEM.COM · HASTINGS, VIC