Car Wrapping: How Vinyl Wrap Can Protect Your Car's Paint

Your car is a big investment, so of course you want it to look fly.

But maybe weather and wear have done a number on your paint job and you're not sure what to do to make it look shiny and new again.

Car wrapping can give you protection for your vehicle and it offers tons of flexibility in color and design.

Check out how this unique form of protection can make your car look bomb with repainting below.

What is Car Wrapping?

You've probably seen a few vehicles on the road that showcase colorfully detailed advertising. This is how many companies spread the word about their business and they do it using car wrapping.

In a nutshell, a vinyl car wrap is applied to your vehicle to give it a whole new look. The strong vinyl material not only looks great, but it also protects the car's paint job from damage and chipping.

The sticky vinyl clings to your car and can cover a part of the vehicle or the entire surface. You can choose from a ton of awesome colors that will give your car a new look without having to pay for a professional paint job.

This process is starting to branch out to more than just company vehicles. The average consumer can pay for car wrapping if they want to give their car a cool update and some added protection.

What You Need to Know

Before you decide if car wrapping is right for you, there are a few things you should keep in mind. First, a vinyl car wrap has to adhere to a solid surface or else it won't stick properly.

This means that if even a small part of your vehicle has a section of peeling paint or chips, the wrap might not work out. If you don't want to pay for a new paint job before the wrap is applied, buff out any scratches as much as possible.

Since a vinyl car wrap clings tightly to the vehicle, any dents or defects might end up being magnified. You should also be aware that if you decide to remove the wrap later, it could take some of the underlying paint with it.

Make sure your car's exterior is free of rust or else the wrap could trap moisture and make the rusting worse. Vinyl wraps need paint to adhere to the surface of your car, so make sure everything's nice and smooth first.

Are There Benefits to a Car Wrap?

If you're considering a car wrap, don't let the warnings above scare you off. In fact, a vinyl wrap can protect your original paint job and keep it protected. This is great for people whose cars have expensive paint jobs, have metallic paint, or for those who have a classic car and want to keep it safe.

Another great perk of vinyl car wraps is that they're super easy to clean. You should clean your car by hand, however. Opting for a power wash or using the car wash at your local gas station could cause damage to the wrap or tear the surface.

In most cases, car wrapping costs less than a new paint job, which is part of what makes it so appealing. Another perk? These wraps come in a huge range of awesome colors including chrome-like metallics and funky prints.

You'll get a lot more uniqueness with a car wrap than you would with a traditional paint job. Custom paint can cost a fortune, but a wrap is offered at just a fraction of the price!

One other bonus: if you're sick of your wrap, it's easy to remove and add a new one. This means you can swap out the color or look of your car any time you want.

To keep your wrap nicely preserved, store your car in a garage or under a carport. Too much sun exposure could cause the wrap to fade or warp.

Wrap It Up

Now that you know a bit more about car wrapping, exactly how does the application process work? The place you take your car to be wrapped will wash your vehicle and detail it to remove all contaminants from the surface of the car.

The technician may also apply isopropyl alcohol to the paint to dissolve any grime and blow off any remaining dirt particles. Once the prep work is done, your bumpers, headlights, and taillights will be removed. This is so the installer can apply your wrap as close to the edges of your vehicle body as possible.

You might not want the installer to remove these parts for whatever reason. If so, they can use a sharp tool to cut away the excess vinyl from around the lights and bumpers.

Now it's time to apply the wrap! A heat gun is used to make the vinyl pliable so that it hugs your car tightly and sticks to the surface.

If your color choice involves something complex like a detailed pattern or image, they might have to apply several layers of vinyl to complete the job. Once the wrap is on, a soft squeegee is used to remove any annoying pockets of air that might be left behind.

Depending on the size of your car and the complexity of the design, car wrapping can take one day to several days to complete. 

Protect Your Car with a New Look

If you need an awesome way to protect your paint job, car wrapping is a smart choice.

This unique way to cover your car gives you tons of versatility and flexibility in terms of color and design. What a great way to stand out!

To get a free estimate for your window tinting and other custom vehicle needs including vinyl wraps, visit our website or give us a call today!