Before you book your vehicle in
When you book a vehicle for branding, the first step is to tell us exactly what needs to happen. A full wrap, partial branding, decals on doors, reflective fleet numbers or a simple logo set all take different prep and fitting times. If the vehicle is used for deliveries or service work in Bloemfontein, Mangaung or the surrounding towns, let us know the daily schedule so we can plan around it.
Please have the vehicle details ready, including make, model, year, colour and whether it has existing graphics or old adhesive still on the body. If the vehicle has parking sensors, roof racks, toolboxes or tinted windows, mention that too. These details help us plan the layout, the fitting method and the time needed for the job.
- Vehicle registration and type
- Type of branding required
- Date you need the vehicle back
- Any deadlines for launches, events or inspections
- Whether the vehicle can stay with us for the day
Clean vehicle, better finish
Vinyl sticks best to clean panels. Before your booking, the vehicle should be washed and dried properly, with special attention to door handles, wheel arches, fuel caps, bumpers and any lower panels where dust builds up. In Bloemfontein the wind can leave a fine layer of dust very quickly, so it is worth cleaning the vehicle on the same morning if possible.
Please do not wax the vehicle just before drop-off. Wax, silicone and oily polish can interfere with adhesion. If the vehicle has fresh paint or body work, tell us when it was repaired. Paint that is not fully cured can affect the final result, especially on commercial vehicles that work in the sun all day or in coastal humidity when travelling out to the coast.
- Wash the vehicle thoroughly
- Remove road tar and sticker residue where possible
- Do not apply wax or polish before fitting
- Make sure windows and door edges are dry
- Flag any fresh paint or repairs in advance
Timing that suits the fitting work
Vehicle branding is easiest when the vehicle can stay in one place for the full fitting window. Smaller decal jobs may take only a few hours, while larger branding or multiple vehicles can run over a full day. If the unit must return to service quickly, we will help you book the work in the most practical order.
We recommend avoiding bookings immediately before a long trip, a public holiday or a municipal deadline if the vehicle must be used for inspections or presentations. If you run a fleet in Welkom, Kroonstad, Botshabelo or Thaba Nchu, it often helps to book one vehicle first as a sample before scheduling the rest. That gives you time to approve positioning and final detail before the whole line is fitted.
When load-shedding is active, timing matters even more for print curing, lighting on site and access around the workshop. A little flexibility on collection and drop-off helps keep the job moving smoothly.
Access details that save time on the day
Good access helps us work safely and neatly. If the vehicle is coming to our Hamilton base in Bloemfontein, make sure the driver knows where to park and who will release the vehicle after fitting. If the branding is happening on site, we need enough space around the vehicle to open doors fully and step back to check alignment.
Before the appointment, please tell us about gates, height restrictions, security procedures or any rules for contractors on the premises. Some sites in Mangaung industrial areas require sign-in, induction or specific loading bay access. If the vehicle is larger than a standard bakkie or panel van, mention the turning space and whether there is shade available. Direct sun can affect handling on certain films, so a covered area is useful where possible.
- Clear parking space around the vehicle
- Access to keys and contact person on site
- Any security or sign-in requirements
- Space for doors, ladders and tools
- Shade if the vehicle will stand for several hours
What to remove before branding starts
For a clean result, remove loose accessories from the vehicle before it comes in. Roof bars, load bin contents, suction mounts and temporary stickers can get in the way of the layout and slow the fitting down. If the vehicle has old branding that must be removed first, let us know so we can schedule debranding and cleanup before the new graphics go on.
Inside the vehicle, please clear items from the dashboard and seats if we need to move around the cab during the job. It also helps to leave the fuel tank at a practical level and make sure the battery is in good condition if we need to open and close electric windows, gates or tailgates during fitment. Small things like this make a real difference on a busy day.
Aftercare once the vehicle leaves us
Freshly applied vinyl needs a little care in the first few days. We recommend avoiding high pressure washing for at least 48 hours and not scrubbing edges or seams while the adhesive settles. If the vehicle is used on gravel roads around the Free State, extra dust can collect on the lower panels, so gentle cleaning is best at first.
If you notice lifting corners, trapped moisture or anything unusual after collection, contact us through the enquiry form on our contact page as soon as possible. We can advise on maintenance visits, small touch ups or adjustments where needed. Good aftercare helps the branding last longer, especially on commercial vehicles that spend most of the day in sun, rain and traffic.
For fleets, we can also help plan recurring bookings so the vehicles are refreshed in stages rather than all at once. That makes it easier to keep the business moving while the graphics are being updated.
