Start with a clean, dry panel every time
Before you place a magnet on a car, bakkie or panel van, make sure the surface is clean and fully dry. Dust, grit and fine road film can scratch paint when the magnet moves slightly at speed or when you remove it after a long trip. A quick wipe with a soft cloth and mild soapy water is enough for most vehicles.
Pay extra attention after rain, washing, or a dusty run through Paarl, Wellington or the R45. Moisture trapped between the magnet and the bodywork can mark the paint over time and it also weakens the hold. If the surface is warm from standing in the sun, let it cool first so you are not trapping steam under the sheet.
- Wash the panel with mild soap and rinse well
- Dry the surface before fitting the magnet
- Remove any sand or fine grit by hand, not with a dry rub
- Check that no wax residue or polish is left behind
Fit magnets flat, not over curves or seams
A magnet sticks best on a flat steel panel. It should sit flush with no trapped air and no lifted corners. If you place it across a body line, seam, handle recess or moulding, the edges can curl and catch wind. That leads to wear and can cause the sheet to shift on long drives between places like Paarl, Stellenbosch and Worcester.
Take a moment to press the full surface down by hand. When you install it, run your palm from the centre outward so you can feel for any bubbles, grit or bend points. If the panel is badly curved, choose a different section of the vehicle. It is better to move the sign than to force it onto a shape it does not suit.
- Place magnets on flat steel only
- Avoid door seams, fuel flaps and deep curves
- Check the magnet is fully seated at the top and bottom edges
- Remove and refit if the panel shape causes lifting
Take magnets off for washing and long highway runs
It is smart to remove vehicle magnets before a proper wash. Soap and water can work around the edges, but high pressure and brushes may lift the sign or leave dirt trapped underneath. A removed magnet is easier to clean on both sides, and you can check the paint at the same time for any build up or marks.
For long highway trips, remove the magnet if the vehicle will be on the road for hours at a time and the sign is not needed. Fast travel creates more wind lift, especially on open roads out past Franschhoek or towards Malmesbury. If you do keep it on, make sure it is perfectly fitted and the panel is dry. A small lift at one corner can become a bigger problem by the end of the day.
- Remove magnets before machine washing
- Clean both the vehicle panel and the back of the magnet
- Dry everything before refitting
- Do a quick edge check after every long trip
Store them flat and keep the back side clean
When magnets are off the vehicle, store them flat on a clean metal sheet, cardboard, or another smooth surface. Do not fold them, roll them up, or leave them loose in a toolbox with bolts and tools. A bent or creased magnet will not sit properly again and the sign may lose its grip.
The back of the magnet is just as important as the printed side. Dust can build up there too, especially in work areas where grinding, cutting or loading happens. Wipe the back with a soft cloth now and then, then dry it before storage. If the magnet is kept in a damp storeroom or under a wet canopy, the edges can pick up moisture and the corners may start to curl.
- Store magnets flat, never rolled or folded
- Keep them away from metal shavings and sharp tools
- Wipe both sides before storage
- Do not leave them in damp sheds or on wet floors
Watch the weather, especially heat, dust and coastal moisture
Boland weather is hard on outdoor signage. Summer heat can make a magnet softer and more prone to movement, while winter moisture can sit under the edges after early morning trips. In windy areas and near the coast, salt in the air can also build up faster than many people expect.
If you are working around Paarl and Wellington, or driving in and out of Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, make it a habit to check the magnet more than once a week. During dusty harvest periods or after a wet spell, lift the sign and look underneath. A clean panel and a dry magnet will last much longer than one left in place for months without a check.
There is also a safety angle. When a magnet loses grip, it can flap, scratch paint or come off completely. On busy roads that is not something you want chasing traffic.
- Check magnets more often in hot weather
- Inspect after rain, dust storms or muddy drives
- Look out for salt build up on coastal routes
- Remove and clean if the sign starts to shift
Know when to replace the magnet instead of forcing another season
Even well cared for magnets have a working life. If the print is fading, the corners keep lifting, or the sheet has become stiff and cracked, it may be time for a new one. A tired magnet does not just look rough, it can also hold less securely and put your vehicle paint at risk.
For tradespeople, couriers and riders, that matters because the sign is often one of the first things a client sees. A fresh magnet says the vehicle is looked after and the business is active. If you need a new size, a reprint, or updated details after a phone number or service change, it is better to replace the sign cleanly than patch over an old one.
At Catprints and Signs in Paarl, we make vehicle magnets for businesses across the Boland, and we also help with updates when branding changes or the old set has worn out. The aim is simple: a sign that fits properly, stays put and works hard on the road.
- Replace magnets with cracked corners or weak edges
- Do not keep using a sign that has started to peel
- Update details as soon as your information changes
- Choose the right size for the vehicle panel, not just the biggest one
