Care & Cleaning of USDOT Decals and Magnetic Signs
USDOT lettering only works if it stays legible — a faded, cracked or half-lifted number can draw the same attention as a missing one. The care routine is small; here it is.
Vinyl decals
- Wash by hand with ordinary car soap and water. Wipe along the lettering, not against its edges.
- Pressure washers: keep distance, and never aim along a decal edge — that is how edges lift.
- Skip solvents and abrasives — degreasers, scouring pads and stiff brushes take the fight to the vinyl.
- Winter salt: rinse the doors when you rinse the truck. Salt crust is abrasive and traps moisture at the edges.
Magnetic signs
- Remove them regularly — at least weekly. Wipe both the magnet back and the door, let both dry, put it back.
- Store flat. Never fold a magnet or stand it on edge; a bent magnet never grips flush again.
- Left in place for weeks, magnets trap moisture and grit that mark the paint — the five-minute wipe is what prevents it.
When to replace instead of clean
Cracking, chalky fading, or edges that keep lifting mean the film is done. Our decals are cut from cast vinyl rated about seven years outdoors, so that day is a long way off — and when it comes, your saved design reorders in a couple of clicks.
Common questions
Can I run the truck through a car wash?
Touchless washes are fine. Brush washes will eventually catch and lift decal edges — hand washing the door is safer and takes a minute.
Can I pressure-wash over the decal?
Keep the wand a couple of feet back and never aim along an edge. A pressure tip held close and angled under the vinyl will peel anything.
How long should the decals last?
Ours are cut from cast vinyl rated around seven years outdoors — it holds its color and stays tight instead of shrinking back and cracking the way bargain calendered film does.
My old decal is faded or cracking — now what?
That is the film aging out, not something cleaning fixes. Order a fresh set; if you bought from us before, your design is saved on your account and reorders in a couple of clicks.
Need the decals?
Type your USDOT number, pick your size and color, and see it on a truck door before you buy — or put your logo and your lines on one decal. Sold single or in pairs.
More USDOT guides: USDOT display requirements — size & location · How to apply USDOT decals & magnetic signs · Requirements in every state
Martin Graphics is a sign shop, not a regulatory agency. We publish this as a courtesy and keep it as accurate as we can, but rules change and enforcement varies. You are solely responsible for confirming and meeting the requirements that apply to your vehicle or vessel.
Lettering for the whole fleet
Truck door decals, unit numbers, boat lettering, signs and banners — designed and cut in our Southern Illinois shop since 2009.