My first real experience with vinyl was 3 years ago. I was downtown having lunch with a friend of mine when this guy pulled up to the restaurant in a wrapped Ford F1 50.
The color of the truck was the most fantastic color of purple I’ve ever seen. And that’s saying a lot because I’m not even a fan of the color purple.
As I walked around the truck, the color changed in the sun.
It was mind-blowing! At first, I didn’t even know it was a wrap. I’ve asked where did you get your paint job done.
The guy replied, “It’s a wrap, bro, not paint.” It looked so good I started to contemplate whether I should get it done on my car. So soon as I got home, I started doing some research, and this is what I found.
Maybe you are also considering wrapping, so I hope you find this useful.
So, What is a Car Wrap?
Well, simply put, you start with a large piece of adhesive vinyl film. You can buy this vinyl in a whole bunch of different styles. It also comes in a selection of finishes.
Some wraps have graphics, logos or images. It is your chance to express yourself with your choice truly. The wrapped purple Ford F1 50 looked so stunning it got me thinking.
How Do They Do It?
My biggest question was, how do they do it without getting air bubbles trapped. I have stuck self-adhesive signs on a truck in the past, and there were always air bubbles. How much harder is it going to be for a whole vehicle? Well, it seems that the vinyl they use is a new technology that has air channels built-in that let the air escape. One such vinyl called “Supercast” stretches up to 40% so that it can be molded around odd curves and sharp edges.
The process is that the experts who do this measure the car. They then, with your input, create the design. Unless it is just a plain color, the design is laminated, so it is secure from scratches and UV Rays. Then finally, they install the wrap on the vehicle.
Vinyl Wraps and Paint
Will Vinyl Wrap Damage My Paintwork?
Wraps should not damage your paint job, but some factors will increase the chances of damaging the paintwork when removed.
For example, if you have had repair work done on the body and the paint done was not to the same high standard as the original manufacturer paint job, then there may be some damage when it is removed later.
If you use the cheapest vinyl, there is an increased chance of damage, and poorly trained staff may also cause damage.
You may be concerned that when they cut the vinyl on your car that the knife may damage the paint. A well-trained technician knows how to angle the blade enough not to cut your car at all.
Vinyl Wrap vs. Custom Paint
Vinyl wrap was originally mainly used for displaying advertisements on vehicles. However, today, there are a growing number of people using plain colored or intricate vinyl as an alternative to repainting the vehicle. I was a bit confused over this and asked a technician for some clarification about what is best. After listening to long and technical explanations, it came down to this.
If your paint job is bad, to begin with, then you should repaint because to do an excellent vinyl job, you need a good paint base to wrap. Any poor paintwork will show through the vinyl.
In some circumstances, the cost of a new paint job is comparable to getting a new car wrap. So the price might not be a factor. Here is a simple phrase that will sum it up.
If the paint is good, then Wrap, If the paint is bad, then you repaint.
Is My Wrap Going to Last?
I went to see my helpful technician and asked how long a wrap should last. He smiled and said he thought I would ask that eventually, as it is the most common question he gets. He started by saying five years, but of course, that will depend on a few factors.
- How much exposure to the sun
- The climate
- How often you wash your vehicle.
- Quality of the vinyl
Fortunately, he summarized the essential factors. If you drive a lot, park in the sun, wash the vehicle every day, then you are looking at 2 to 4 years. If you take more care and park in the shade, don’t use abrasive cleaners, and generally consider your bodywork, then you could get seven years out of the wrap.
Why is There a Huge Variation in the Price Companies Charge For Wraps?
Some companies may slash their price of wrapping to charge less than competitors.
So you might initially think you’re getting a deal, but they are going to find a way of making up that lost profit.
So the techs might wrap more cars in a shorter timeframe(They rush the work). If they don’t do that, then they might instead (or also) use inferior materials. So you’ll end up getting what you pay for.
How much is a Car Wrap Going to Cost
I was not sure whether I should include this because the price is going to vary from area to area. The price will also depend on the type of vehicle and the quality of work that will be done.
So I did a basic analysis on a few different companies, and the conclusion was that for an average sedan, it would be between $2,000 and $3,500, and for a larger vehicle, van or truck, then it would be $3,000 to $5,000.
I did get a couple of quotes that were so far out of the ballpark that I ignored them (one place quoted $500 for a small car). Once again, THIS IS ONLY A BASIC GUIDE!
I hope that this guide to Car Wrapping helps you make your decision about whether to go ahead with wrapping your car. In the end, it was kind of fun to do, and I got to learn a lot about car wrapping in the process.
