If your car paint is looking dull or you are just tired of seeing the same color and want a change, car wrapping brings an opportunity to update the exterior look of your vehicle at very affordable costs. It not only adds a touch of your personality to your car but also safeguards its original paint and looks, retaining its resale value. Call Waxman of Tristate Car Detailing Center today to schedule an appointment and find out which type of car wrap is best for you. They will explain what vinyl car wrapping is all about, how it works, the different options available, as well as its pros and cons, so you can decide if it would be suitable your vehicle.
Car wrapping is a revolutionary and creative method of transforming your vehicle’s appearance. Since it was introduced, it has taken the automotive industry by storm. Vinyl car wrapping offers a cost-effective and flexible solution for customizing your car in a variety of colors, patterns, and designs, elevating its exterior to a completely new level.
Vinyl wrapping involves applying specialized film onto the entire vehicle or specific parts such as the hood, bumpers, or doors. Not only does it add a unique touch to your vehicle, but also acts as a protective layer, shielding the underlying paint job and the factory finish. It is more affordable than traditional paint jobs and can help you save a lot of money. Read on to learn more about car wraps, the various types of wraps available, and how they can give your car a stunning makeover.
What Is Car Wrapping?
Car wrapping is the process in which a vehicle is covered, either fully or partially, in a special vinyl film. It is an adhesive film applied over the paint on your car. This film is designed to change the look of a vehicle temporarily and protect underneath paint, without going through a full repaint or respray.
Car wraps have transformed the way you can customize and protect your vehicles. The vinyl wrapping can change your car’s look with a new color, design, or texture like matt or gloss. There are many options for you to choose from, so you can put a unique stamp on your car. The best thing about car wrapping is that its colors, textures, and designs cannot be replicated with a traditional respray.
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How Do You Wrap a Car?
Wrapping a car is best left to the pros, as it requires precision and skill. You can try doing it yourself, but if it does not fit properly, it can result in a waste of money, and affect your car paint as well.The car wrapping process typically involves 5 main steps.
They are:
- Design selection – It is the simplest step. Choose the color, design, texture, and style of the wrap you want and whether you want a full or partial wrap. A full wrap is applied to the entire car, covering every inch of the paintwork to give it a new look. A partial wrap covers one or more panels, like the roof or the bonnet, leaving most of the original paintwork on show.
- Measurements and fitting – Your car will be measured, and the wrap will be precisely cut to fit the wrap accurately, according to the specs of your make and model.
- Car surface cleaning – Your vehicle exterior will be thoroughly cleaned and cleared of debris to ensure easy and smooth application of the wrap. The surface is sprayed with water and a special solvent to prepare it for the coating.
- Printing and lamination – Before it is laminated, the manufacturer will print the wrap. A special coating is used to enhance its scratch and UV resistance properties to ensure your car’s bodywork is protected and the wrap does not fade when exposed to environmental elements.
- Expert application – The professionals will skillfully apply the wrap to your vehicle’s flat surfaces. The backing from the wrap is removed, and the adhesive side is aligned with the right panel and pressed into place. They will use a heat gun and a rubber-edged plastic blade to smooth it out, avoid air bubbles, and ensure a seamless finish.
You can wrap any car, no matter how small or large. However, applying a wrap can be difficult, and it is essential to find an experienced and trained technician who knows how to do it right.
Pros and Cons of Car Wrapping
As with any automotive modification, car wraps come with a set of pros and cons. Here are some pros and cons of car wrapping you should consider.
Pros
Car wrapping offers numerous benefits, making it a popular choice among car owners.
The pros include:
- A fresher, newer look for your car – You can give your car a fresher, newer look with the right color, design, and texture. There are endless design options for you to choose from to make your car stand out.
- A cost-effective customization option – Car wrapping is cheaper than other customization options. Respraying or traditional paint jobs can be expensive. It is a great way to personalize your vehicle on a budget.
- Paint protection – The vinyl acts as a protective layer, shielding the original paintwork from scratches, UV rays, and other environmental factors that cause wear and tear and damage your vehicle finish.
- Enhances resale value of your vehicle – A wrapped car that is maintained well often sells for much more than one with a repainted exterior. Wrapping a car can preserve its value and original looks.
- Reversible modification – Vinyl wraps are not permanent. If at any time you want to remove the wrapping and restore your vehicle or its original state or switch to a new design, it can be done professionally.
- Quick installation – The wrapping process takes less time than traditional paint jobs. It gives you a chance to get back on the road sooner and resume your activities.
Cons
Some cons of car wrapping include:
- Weather sensitivity – Certain wraps are susceptible to weather conditions. Extreme temperatures can affect their looks and longevity.
- Tough cleaning – Cleaning vinyl wraps requires gentle handwashing, and they should be treated with care during cleaning to prevent tears or other complications.
- Insurance issues – Car wrapping is customizing your car. This means you need to inform your insurance provider about the wrap when getting it done. Depending on the insurance company, it may affect your payment.
- Difficult application – Applying a car wrap requires a patience and the right set of tools. If you choose to do it yourself, you need to understand how it is done to avoid doing it wrong and wasting money. Badly fitted wraps may result in unattractive air bubbles on the car’s surface and look terrible.
Knowing the pros and cons of wrapping a car can help you determine if it is the best option for your vehicle. The decision to wrap your car also depends on what you are looking for and how much customization you want.
Different Types of Car Wrapping
There are four main types of car wrapping:
- Clear – Clear vinyl wrapping is used for protecting the paintwork while retaining the car’s original color.
- Colored – Colored wrapping is opaque. It is designed to change the color of your vehicle, either fully or partially. It is the most popular type of car wrap.
- Textured – These wraps are for people who seek a different finish for their vehicles, like matt or gloss. Most textured wraps are also available in a range of opaque colors.
- Custom and advertising wraps – Some wraps can be customized with patterns, images, or a logo of your business. This type is usually done for advertising, and you can put a unique stamp on your vehicle with a custom wrap.
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Vinyl Wrap Options
The best thing about vinyl car wrap is all the options it offers.
They are available in:
- Digital print – You can have your vehicle wrapped in any kind of graphic design with cutting-edge digital printing.
- Matte – Matt is very popular, especially in black, as it attracts attention. It is mostly used for personal vehicles in place of a costly paint job.
- Color – You can give your car a new appearance with a color change. Vinyl wraps are available in solid colors that can replace your car’s old look with a bright, shining color at a fraction of the price of a paint job.
- Carbon fiber – A luxury vinyl wrap can give your vehicle a high-end, sophisticated feel. It can be applied to the exterior or just the gear shift or dashboard on the interior.
- Fluorescent – The advanced technology helps to make your vehicle stand out or even glow in the dark. Fluorescent car wraps are ideal for cars used for racing, for safety purposes, or even just as a decal.
With so many options, car wrapping has become the latest trend for car owners who want to make their vehicles stand out.
Waxman of Tristate Car Detailing Center offers vinyl car wrapping services to protect your vehicle paint from scratches and dings. Professional detailers can help you look after your vehicle and explore the best options to keep it looking good for a long time. With professional guidance, you will better understand what you are getting into and how to make your vehicle look and feel just like new.
