INSTALL & CARE / 03
Good prep.
A better session.
Choose the surface, check the fit, and know how you’ll remove and store the kit before it reaches the car.
BEFORE ANYTHING TOUCHES PAINT
Know what’s
under the number.
Record whether the mounting area is original paint, refinished paint, a wrap, PPF, or a coated surface. Note chips, peeling clear coat, repairs, and strong curvature. A clean-looking finish can still be unsuitable.
Ask for the material and finish manufacturer’s application and removal instructions. Check a proposed installation with the shop before committing to a large graphic.
References: Magnum’s application restrictions, automotive film specifications, and finish-specific vehicle care.
The magnetic-panel routine.
The core supplier guidance below is from Magnum Magnetics. Follow the instructions for the magnetic stock actually supplied with your kit.
Confirm the surface.
Use suitable steel with cured, compatible paint or finish. Do not assume every panel on the same car is magnetic.
Clean and dry both faces.
Magnum recommends mild detergent, followed by a soft cloth or air drying, for the car’s mounting surface and magnet.
Make full contact.
Use a smooth, flat or gently curved area. Avoid protrusions, concavities and air pockets. Magnum advises installing with the magnet itself at least 60°F / 16°C.
Inspect the perimeter.
Do not use a curled panel that leaves lifted edges. To reposition, remove it completely and reapply; do not drag it across the finish.
Remove and clean routinely.
Magnum recommends daily removal and cleaning for vehicle-mounted signage. Lift from a side rather than a corner.
Store clean, dry, and flat.
Use a level, protected surface. Avoid damaging weight on top and do not stack magnetic faces together.
ADHESIVE GRAPHICS
Follow the film.
Keep the instructions.
Check the exact film, adhesive, and finish before application. A product described as removable may still stretch or be destroyed during removal. Do not substitute a reusable-vinyl procedure for a different automotive film.
Use the selected manufacturer’s cleaning, application-temperature, pressure, dwell, and removal procedure. If the paint lifts, the finish looks unstable, or the removal method is unclear, stop and consult the installer.
GF 830 AutoMark Cast is our specified removable automotive film, paired with GF 831 laminate. Follow its full application guide; it is not a repeatedly reusable adhesive product.
TRUE STATIC CLING
Clean contact.
Low-speed use.
Keep the material and its original backing clean, and follow the supplier’s placement instructions. Cling and low-tack adhesive vinyl are different products, even when both are sold as temporary numbers.
We limit cling by specialist quote to low-speed autocross. Check your organizer’s required position; suitability for glass does not override a body-panel rule.
SoloPerformance’s material guide separates these constructions and warns that cling can come off in unusual racing or weather conditions. For placement, see SCCA Solo §3.7.
Before you leave the paddock
- Remove temporary identification using its specified method.
- Check the graphic and mounting area for debris, moisture, edge damage, or finish changes.
- Pack reusable pieces on a suitable liner or flat carrier, where bags and tools cannot bend them.
- Keep your artwork, material details, and care instructions with the kit for the next event.
This is our suggested packing checklist, informed by the supplier’s cleaning and storage guidance. It makes no claim that the panel is suitable for unattended road use.
Care questions.
Does tape make a magnet safe at any speed?
No. SCCA TT recommends at least leading-edge tape, but that is not a universal retention guarantee. Full contact, sound edges, compatible materials and the actual event instructions still matter. SCCA TT identification guidance.
Can I apply a magnet on a hood or a freshly painted panel?
Check the supplied stock’s restrictions. Magnum cautions against unsuitable horizontal sun-exposed surfaces and requires cured finishes. Do not treat a warm hood as a universal preparation method. Read the complete Magnum instructions.
Can WeWrap review a difficult mounting area?
Contact the shop with clear photos, measurements, and finish details. The car preview cannot inspect a real crease or paint condition. Call (828) 747-7084 to discuss what a review would involve.
Ready for the right material?
Compare your options before building the kit.