Vinyl Car Wraps
What's In This Post?
Vinyl car wraps are a great way to add stock designs or a custom design to your vehicle without the cost of repainting the entire surface of your car. In addition, vinyl car wraps are an easy way to protect the original paint from scratches, dents, or other damage when driving. It also helps keep your car clean and tidy and protects against UV rays that cause fading on paint jobs.
Top 4 Brands
Several brands offer vinyl car wraps, making it challenging to know which are best. However, the shortlist below highlights some of the reputable leaders in the industry.
- 3M
- Avery Dennison
- Arion
- Oracal
Type of Product Available
Vehicle wraps are available in many colors, patterns, and textures, making it easy to find one that perfectly matches your car. There are two main types of products used in automotive wrapping: high-performance and standard. The high-performance product is usually thicker and more robust than the standard product, and it has better adhesion properties which require less maintenance.
Colors and Finishes
Vehicle vinyl wrap is available in a wide variety of colors and finishes, making it easy to add custom graphics or bold colors to your car. Below are some of the top finishes offered by most shops.
- Matte Finishes
- Chrome Finish
- Carbon Fiber
- Metallic Finishes
- Brushed Finish
- Colorflow or Color Shifting
How Much Do Vinyl Car Wraps Cost?
Wrapping an entire vehicle can be expensive but not as much as custom paint jobs. Below are the average expected prices of hiring a professional or performing the work yourself.
Professional Shop Installation
Professional auto shops will charge around $2,000 for small cars and $5,000 for larger vehicles. Semi-trucks, RV campers, motor homes, and other oversized vehicles can cost over $10,000. These price ranges will be lower for single-body panels like the hood or trunk. Contact your local installer for a custom quote on single surfaces.
DIY (Do-It-Yourself) Installation
Taking on an auto wrap project can be a challenge but is less expensive if done correctly. The average cost to buy automotive-grade vinyl film is around $2 to $3 per square foot. Most standard vehicles will need roughly 250 square feet, which will cost between $500 and $750. As mentioned, the DIY option costs less but can be more expensive if you don’t have the correct tools or environment for the job.
Benefits of Vinyl Wraps vs. Paint
- The vinyl finish requires little to no maintenance after installation.
- Vinyl doesn’t chip, fade or crack as easily as paint.
- Vinyl car wraps use UV-resistant material that lasts up to 10 years.
- Vinyl doesn’t require waxing to prevent oxidation and fading.
Care Requirements
Proper care after installation is vital to extend the life of car wraps. The original color of most vehicle wraps will last between 3 and 5 years. However, following a specific care routine will help them last as long as ten years. Following the tips below on all the vinyl surfaces of your vehicle will help it last longer.
- Washing – Keeping your vinyl wrap clean will help it last longer. We recommend washing the surface by hand with a soft cloth. Avoid automatic car washes. Most automatic or drive-thru car washes have brushes that will damage the appearance and shorten the life. However, brushless car washes are okay to use if you’re in a hurry and don’t have time to wash the car by hand.
- Waxing – Applying wax is not needed or recommended, and as mentioned in the benefits section above, vinyl doesn’t oxidize like a car’s paint job. Check out our car wax guide if you’re looking to polish the metal surfaces of your vehicle.
- Bird Poop – Remove bird droppings as soon as possible. If left on the surface too long, the chemical compounds will damage the surface.
- Sunlight Protection – Exposing the wrapped surface to extreme weather conditions such as the hot summer heat for too long will shorten the wrap’s life. Try parking in shaded areas when possible to avoid extended periods of exposure to direct sunlight and high temperatures.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can wrapping my car help grow my business? Car wraps are great for advertising and promoting a business. Visual impressions are much higher with a moving vehicle than with a stationary billboard.
- Are there any downsides to using vinyl car wraps? There are no downsides to using vinyl wraps. They are easy to apply and remove, last for years, and are customizable. They also help protect the original finish of your car.
- Will the vinyl vehicle wrap damage my paint? Vinyl wraps are a great way to protect your car’s surface and, if appropriately removed, will not damage the paint. We recommend contacting a professional wrapping shop to remove the vinyl and avoid damage.
- Is it easy to remove the wrap from my car? As mentioned above, we recommend contacting a professional. However, you can remove the wrap yourself by using a heat gun to melt it away. Use caution when doing this, as it is very easy to burn and damage your paintwork.
- Can you buff a wrapped car? As mentioned in this article, waxing the vinyl surface is not necessary. Plus, buffing will heat the surface and cause issues with the adhesive holding the wrap on.
- Can vehicle wraps be applied to the inside of a car? Yes. You can add vehicle wrap to your car’s interior, and it will look great!
- How long will the vehicle wrap last? As mentioned in this article, the expected life is 3 to 5 years but properly maintained wraps can last as long as ten years.
- Will waterless wash products damage the wrap? If you plan to use a waterless wash product, we recommend using the clean & shine detailer product by TurtleWax. It’s safe, simple to use, and has a shine-boosting formula for great results.
Wrapping It Up
In summary, vinyl wraps are an excellent way for businesses to promote their brand while protecting the exterior of their vehicles. In addition, they are an affordable option compared to other marketing methods and will provide many positive returns.
