Vehicle Wraps - 3 Secrets You Need To Know

Vehicle wraps are a hot topic for any business. They are extremely cost-efficient to advertise your business to any passerby

They are also extremely versatile and can improve the appearance of any rig with eye-catching designs while offering protection to the vehicle’s paint from environmental aggressions.

​There are some specific conditions under which a vinyl wrap can be applied to a vehicle, different vinyl to choose from, and a thorough vehicle inspection to take into consideration. If you consider wrapping your vehicle in the upcoming weeks, read on.

Can a vehicle wrap damage the paint of a vehicle?

Did your vehicle recently get a new paint job?

Then, you might need to think twice before opting for either a full or partial vehicle wrap and consider the different options you have.

Although vehicle wraps can make a bold, eye-catching statement for your brand and instantly pimp-up your ride, a good paint job is essential. 
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If your vehicle’s paint suffers from surface imperfections impacting its texture, the defects will transfer through the vinyl and be visible.

As a general rule, if your vehicle has any:

• Deep scratches 
• Deep dents 
• Corrosion 
• Surface roughness caused by poor paint quality or paint application 

All of these conditions can create surface weaknesses that can impact the adhesion of the vinyl to your vehicle. This even applies to top-tier vinyl films, and it can cause the paint to peel off if the vinyl wrap is ever removed. 

Therefore, most professionals will tell you that vehicle wraps are only suitable for application onto OEM-factory paint quality, and not intended to be applied to aftermarket-finished paint jobs. 

Most of the time, aftermarket paint jobs are not using the same paint quality, or respect the same application or curing process to the same level as the OEM-factory paint jobs. 

The best way to avoid regretting a decision with your vehicle is to discuss it with an expert.

What kind of vinyl is applied to your vehicle?

If your vehicle has it’s original paint job or got a recent paint job using high-quality paint (while respecting factory application and curing process), the next step is to know which vinyl goes on your vehicle.

If you desire a full or partial vehicle wrap, you may want to consider top-tier vinyl for their durability. 

Just like anything else, there are different types of vinyl at different price points, offering various results even in the portfolio of the top tier brands. 

Hence, saying that a 3M or Avery Dennison’s vinyl is applied to your vehicle does not mean much and certainly isn’t the guarantee that it is the right choice for your project. 

All manufacturers, including 3M and Avery Dennison, offer different vinyl ranging from the highest quality that will last to the most economical option that will offer less durability. 

If you think all vinyl looks alike at first glance, there are great differences between a cast and a calendered vinyl, for instance - both vinyl types being at different ends of the product range:

• Cast vinyl is considered premium for its durability, flexibility, conformability and dimensional stability while retaining color well over time and extended exposure to UV rays. They are ideal when a smooth, finished look is expected.

 

• Calendered vinyl is less durable, shrinks more, is way less conformable, but is ultimately cheaper than cast vinyl.

The best way to make sure that you make the right choice is to discuss your project with a professional installer.

It’s all about preparation

You should wash your vehicle the day before the vinyl application with water and a simple detergent. 

The wash needs to be thorough, and some parts of the vehicle should be subject to greater care to be irreproachably spotless. 

These areas include:

• The hood edges
• The trunk edges
• The door edges
• The bumper edges
• The door jambs
• The wheel wells

Once most of the dirt, grease, pollen, and other contaminants are removed, do not cover the clean surface with any wax or paint protector - it would be detrimental to the vinyl adhesion.

Once the cleaning process is completed, bring your vehicle to the wrap installer to let it dry. It is important to clarify that before any graphics application, the vehicle must be completely dry. 

Any trapped moisture or the presence of water in certain areas of the car can cause adhesion issues of the vinyl that could compromise the project.

What's Next?

Whether you are looking to get a full or partial wrap of your car, truck, van, or bus, the surface quality and preparation, and product selection require attention and care. Therefore, seek the advice of an expert installer able to guide you through your project.

For more information about preparation, application, and products, connect with Insignia Signs & Wraps.