Vehicle wraps have been popular in the last 10 years, turning family vehicles and business trucks into moving billboards or rolling works of art. The appeal is apparent – vehicle wraps can totally change the look of a car without the permanency or cost of a full respray. But, before you get started, there are certain crucial factors that might be the difference between a fantastic achievement and an expensive letdown. With a little time and thought, you can guarantee that your vehicle wrap experience is a good one from start to finish.
Your Paintwork Condition is More Important Than You Think
One of the most ignored parts of car wraps is the quality of the surface that the vinyl is going to be put on. Many imagine a wrap will disguise defects, chips, dents or rust. And although it could hide them optically in the near term, the truth is considerably more troublesome. Vinyl is a conforming substance and any imperfections, scratches or corrosion on the surface underneath the vinyl may ultimately show through, especially as the wrap ages and the material settles. Even worse, if vehicle wraps are applied over damaged paintwork or corrosion, they can actually hasten further degradation by trapping moisture against the surface.
It is a good idea to get your car checked and any bodywork problems repaired before you contact any installer. Panels should be clean and smooth, without peeling lacquer. If your current paintwork is in good condition then the car wraps will attach well, and will last a lot longer. A good installer will always check the state of your vehicle before commencing work. Some could even refuse the job or ask you to fix it first – that’s professionalism, not a nuisance.
The importance of choosing the right installer
Not all installers are made equal and the quality of car wraps is mostly based on the expertise and competence of the individual doing the work. Installing vinyl is a specialised skill that involves patience, accuracy and a good grasp of how different materials will perform under different situations. A poor installation can lead to bubbles, rising edges, misaligned seams and premature peeling. None of these will reflect good on your car or your investment.
If you are looking at installers, ask to examine a portfolio of their prior work. A confident and experienced specialist will not shy away from showing you examples of completed car wraps, including tricky places like as door handles, wing mirrors and curved body panels. It’s also worth asking what materials they use, as the quality of vinyl varies greatly on the market. For example, premium cast vinyl is far more durable and conformable than lesser products, and is hence the ideal choice for full vehicle wraps on anything other than flat surfaces.
What Are the Costs
Vehicle wraps are a large investment, and it’s crucial to have realistic expectations regarding cost before you get started. The price will depend on the size of the vehicle, the complexity of the design, the grade of the materials used and the finish required. A full wrap on a big van would cost a lot more than a partial wrap on a tiny hatchback and unique printed designs with complex graphics will push the whole cost up.
It’s tempting to go with the cheapest estimate on offer, but with car wraps, skimping on cost usually means skimping on quality. Poorer materials can fade more quickly, lift sooner and when removed they might harm the paintwork underneath. A well-priced work with quality materials and professional personnel is an investment that will pay benefits during the term of the wrap. Always ask for a full, itemised quote and be clear about what is and is not included before signing anything.
Design Considerations and Brand Consistency
For firms who use car wraps as mobile advertising, the design is as vital as the technical installation. With thousands of people seeing your wrapped car every day, it’s important to think carefully about the text, images and colour palette. The design has to be simple and visible at speed, with contact information clearly displayed and a colour palette aligned with your existing logo.
Even when it comes to personal vehicle covers, design considerations demand serious thinking. Think about how the hue or finish you select – gloss, matte, satin or chrome – will look under different lighting circumstances and if it works with the design and style of your car. Some hues and finishes are far better suited to some vehicle profiles than to others. Talking to an installer who has knowledge on both the technical and aesthetic side of car wraps can help you get to a product you’ll be truly pleased of.
Insurance and legal consequences
Vehicle wraps are perfectly legal in the UK, however there are administrative things that have to be done. If you alter the colour of your car, either partially or fully, by using a vehicle wrap, you are legally obligated to tell the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency and amend your vehicle registration paperwork with the new colour. Otherwise you risk getting a fee and trouble if your car is ever engaged in an incident or inspection.
Another is insurance. Some insurers consider car wraps to be modifications, which may impact your rate or nullify your coverage. Always let your insurer know before getting car wraps placed and make sure your coverage covers the wrap itself in the event of damage. This is particularly important for companies where automobiles constitute a substantial financial asset.
Maintenance and Durability
A premium wrap put correctly may last anywhere from five to seven years but much of that depends on how the car is maintained. Vehicle wraps do demand a different level of upkeep than painted surfaces. We highly advocate cleaning your automobile by hand, as automated car washes with abrasive brushes may lift and scratch. Some cleaning agents may also deteriorate the vinyl over time, therefore it is crucial to select treatments that are particularly designed for wrapped surfaces.
And it’s not just the parking ways. If you park the car outside and it is facing south, the wrap will fade more quickly if it is exposed to sunshine for lengthy periods of time. If feasible, keeping a wrapped car in a garage or shaded location will assist to maintain the vibrancy and integrity of the wrap. Regular checks of lifting edges, especially around doors, bonnets and boot lids, allow you to deal with little problems before they become big ones.
Thinking of Removal from the Start
It might seem odd to think of taking off a wrap before it has been put on, but this is very good forward planning. Vehicle wraps should be detachable without damaging the paint underneath, assuming that the underlying surface was in acceptable condition when the wrap was applied and that the wrap has been properly maintained. But wraps left on for longer than their authorised life, or put on over paintwork that is not in good condition, can be far more difficult and expensive to remove.
If you are leasing your car, or planning to sell your vehicle in the near future, it’s worth evaluating if vehicle wraps may impact on the residual value of the vehicle or clash with any restrictions in your lease agreement. Most lease agreements have particular provisions about alterations, and although a wrap is theoretically reversible, certain agreements may still require prior consent. Before you accept the job, checking this out might save you a lot of hassle later.
The larger picture
Vehicle wraps are a fun and adaptable method to change the look of your vehicle for either personal expression or to promote your business. If done correctly the effects may be quite magnificent and very cost effective compared to standard painting. But that result is not achieved by just arranging an appointment and turning up on the day. Consider the condition of your vehicle, the quality of your installer, the design choices involved, the legal and insurance implications, and the ongoing maintenance requirements, and you will be putting yourself in the best possible position to enjoy all that vehicle wraps have to offer — and to protect your investment for years to come.
