What a Magnetic Kit Is and How It Works
A magnetic kit is a matched pair of magnetic panels made for the side doors and, where needed, the tailgate of a shared-use vehicle. Each panel is cut to size, printed or sign-written with your artwork, then finished for repeated removal and refit. It is a practical choice when one vehicle does school runs during the week and service calls after hours, or when a vehicle must be kept plain for private use, then branded again for work.
The kit sits flat on clean painted steel panels. There is no drilling, no rivets and no wiring. That makes it useful for leased vehicles, pool vehicles and temporary campaign vehicles around Paarl, Wellington, Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, Worcester and Malmesbury. For best hold, the surface must be steel and not aluminium, fibreglass or plastic cladding. We check the shape of the panel and the space around handles, swage lines and fuel flaps so the magnet lands where it should.
Sizes, Shapes and Finish Options
Most magnetic kits are supplied as two side panels, with a smaller rear panel if your tailgate has a suitable flat area. Common side sizes are 450 x 300 mm, 600 x 300 mm, 600 x 450 mm and 700 x 500 mm. Larger panels can be made when the door skin allows it, but we always work to the actual vehicle shape, not a one-size template.
Finish options depend on how the kit will be used. You can choose full-colour print for logos and contact details, solid colour panels with cut lettering, or simple name and number sets for fleet use. Rounded corners help prevent lift at the edges. A UV laminate can be added for extra protection against sun, dust and wash-downs, which helps in the Boland heat and coastal humidity after a few months on the road.
- Single-colour or full-colour artwork
- Rounded corners for better edge grip
- Optional UV laminate for outdoor use
- Matt or gloss face finish, depending on artwork
Where Magnetic Kits Suit Best
Magnetic kits work well for trades, service vehicles, delivery bakkies, ride-along promotion cars and support vehicles that move between private and work use. They are also useful for seasonal work, event crews and businesses that need to switch branding on and off without repainting or redoing wraps. If your vehicle is in a shared pool, a magnet set can reduce admin because the same panel can move from one vehicle to the next, provided the body shape is similar.
They are best on flat or gently curved steel panels. Deep curves, ribs, dents and body filler can reduce contact and let dust in. On some newer vehicles the door skin is too tight or made from non-magnetic material, so a magnetic kit is not the right option. We will flag that before you order, rather than pushing a panel that will not sit properly. That saves time and keeps the finish neater.
- Shared-use company cars and bakkies
- Temporary branding for launches or roadshows
- Short-term contractor vehicles
- Private vehicles that are branded only during work hours
Installation, Power Needs and Vehicle Checks
Magnetic kits do not need power, batteries or gas. Fitment is manual and quick. The important part is the prep. The panel and the vehicle must both be clean, dry and free of wax, polish, road film and dust. If you place a magnet over grit, it can scratch the paint in time. We recommend washing the panel first, then wiping it dry before fitment. The magnet should be removed and refitted from time to time so the paint under it can breathe.
Before ordering, check the following: the vehicle door must be steel, the panel must be flat enough for firm contact, and there must be clear space around mouldings or trims. If your vehicle has curved sides or plastic side panels, we may suggest another sign option. We can also advise on the best placement for visibility so your logo is not hidden by handles, wheel arches or the tail light cluster.
- No power connection needed
- No gas or compressor required
- Fit to clean, dry steel only
- Remove before washing or pressure cleaning
Care, Cleaning and Service Life
Like any moving vehicle sign, a magnetic kit needs a bit of care. Lift the panel off before a wash, especially if you use a pressure washer. Put it back onto a clean dry surface only. If the magnet gets wet on the back, dry it before storage. Never leave it stuck to a dirty door for weeks at a time, because moisture and grit can work under the edge. In wet winter conditions or coastal air, that attention matters even more.
Check the edges now and then for trapped dust, small stones or lifting caused by repeated removal. If the panel starts to curl, if the face gets scuffed, or if the artwork has faded, it is usually quicker to replace the pair than to try patch repairs. For fleet users, we can reprint updated numbers, names or contact details when a team member changes or a route changes. A neat replacement set is often cheaper than doing a full vehicle rebrand again.
What to Confirm When You Place Your Order
Getting the sizing right starts with a few clear details. Tell us the make, model and year of the vehicle, the number of panels you need, and whether the branding is for both sides only or for the tailgate as well. If you have a logo, send it in a usable artwork file where possible. If not, we can rebuild clean artwork from what you have and check it before production. Spelling matters on a magnet, because every letter will be seen from the road.
It also helps to note the main use of the vehicle, the colours you want, and whether the set must be removed daily or left on for longer periods. If the vehicle is part of a business with more than one driver, let us know where it will be used most often, because a panel for Paarl town traffic may need different visibility from one used on longer Boland runs. If the signs will carry a registration number, licence number or safety wording, we will space it so it remains readable at a glance.
- Vehicle make, model and year
- Panel count and preferred size
- Logo, wording and colour details
- Whether the vehicle is steel sided or not
Why Boland Drivers Keep a Kit on Hand
For businesses in Paarl, Wellington and the surrounding towns, magnetic kits offer a practical middle ground between plain vehicles and permanent wraps. They are easy to store, easy to move, and easy to update when a number, name or service changes. That is useful for farms, contractors, sales teams and family businesses that share vehicles across jobs and weekends. It is also a smart choice when a vehicle is used only part-time and the owner wants to keep the paint underneath in good condition.
Catprints and Signs makes magnetic kits for businesses, riders and drivers across the Boland with careful sizing, neat finishing and local advice on what will hold and what wont. If you already know your vehicle details, we can guide the next step and help you choose a set that fits the panel, the route and the way the vehicle is used.
Key facts
| Product type | Paired magnetic sign set for shared-use vehicles |
|---|---|
| Typical sizes | 450 x 300 mm, 600 x 300 mm, 600 x 450 mm, 700 x 500 mm |
| Material | Flexible magnetic sheet with printed or cut vinyl face |
| Suitable surfaces | Flat painted steel doors and tailgates |
| Finish options | Full-colour print, cut lettering, matt or gloss face, optional UV laminate |
| Care note | Remove before washing, dry before storage, fit only to clean dry panels |
