Car Film Wrapping – Choosing the Right Design
Car Wraps are a great way to display your business logo, add color and protect your vehicle from the elements. They also increase trade-in and resale value.
While it’s possible to wrap your own car, professional installation is recommended for a successful outcome. A good shop can avoid the frustrations of an unsuccessful DIY effort, including overstretching, mismatched seams and bubbles.
Designing the Wrap
Whether you’re considering a car wrap for a personal vehicle or a fleet of business vehicles, choosing the right design is essential. Do your research and choose a provider that has good reviews, a portfolio of past work, and references. A trusted provider will be happy to consult with you and help you come up with a design that fits your budget.
Once you’ve chosen a design, make sure the vehicle is clean and free of any dents or scratches. A well-prepared vehicle is easier to install and more likely to last longer than a dirty one. The provider you choose should be able to provide you with samples of the vinyl and give you an estimate before starting the project.
There are two basic types Car Film Wrapping of vinyl: calendered and cast. Calendered vinyl is thicker and less pliable, so it doesn’t conform to the creases and curves of a vehicle. It’s best to avoid calendered vinyl unless you are installing the wrap yourself or working with a professional who can use a heat gun.
Cast vinyl is thin and pliable, so it easily adapts to the contours of a vehicle. It’s also much easier to remove than calendered vinyl without affecting the factory finish.
Selecting the Vinyl
Choosing the right vinyl for your wrap can be tricky. You need a quality film that will last and adhere properly to the surface of the vehicle. This is especially important if you are using the wrap to boost business or increase personal visibility. A poor-quality wrap will quickly lose its appeal and may not even stick to the car.
To select the right film, you need to carefully measure each element of the vehicle that will be wrapped. Then multiply the length and width of each part by 10. This will give you a rough number for the amount of vinyl that is needed. This is usually enough to get the job done but it is always good to have extra in case you run out of material.
It is best to work on a warm day as the temperature of the vinyl and the adhesive play an important role in how well the vinyl adheres. If the vinyl is too cold it can become brittle and tear, while if it is too hot the adhesive may activate too aggressively and make it difficult to reposition the material.
A sharp blade is essential for cutting the vinyl. Care should be taken when cutting as the blade could easily cut the paint underneath. To avoid this, you should use an adhesive residue remover spray. This will soften the adhesive and make it easier to remove from the paint.
Preparing the Vehicle
It is important to ensure that the area where you will be wrapping is clean and free of dust particles and bugs. It is also important to have a well-lit and warm space so that the materials do not overstretch or shrink.
It is also a good idea to remove any handles, spoilers or mirrors as they will get in the way and be difficult to wrap without damaging them. A full inspection of the vehicle is also necessary to look for any dents, scratches or rust that will show through the wrap and need to be fixed. This is especially important if the car has been kept outdoors, as the vinyl can be damaged by UV radiation and salt used to melt snow.
The next step is to wash the vehicle thoroughly with hot soapy water, concentrating on high dirt areas, like under sills and recessed panels. It is a good idea to use a product that does not contain any waxes or protectants as these will interfere with the adhesion of the film. This is particularly important if the vehicle will be stored outside, where it can be exposed to coastal salt air and bright sunlight.
Finally, it is important to check that the paint job on the vehicle is in good condition. A wrap will not look as good if the underlying paint is scratched or scuffed and it may even peel off as the old paint flakes away.
Installing the Wrap
Car wraps are an excellent way to express your personal style, add a touch Car Film Wrapping Manufacturer of color and texture or transform your vehicle into a mobile billboard. They are also relatively inexpensive compared to having your vehicle repainted and they offer the advantage of being easily removable. If you choose to wrap your own vehicle, however, there are several important steps to take to ensure a quality result.
Start by carefully inspecting the vehicle. This should include removing any bulky items that may get in the way of the wrap installation, such as door handles or hood ornaments. It’s a good idea to have the factory paint job assessed for its condition as a new wrap can highlight imperfections and flaws that are already apparent.
Thoroughly clean the surface of the car you plan to wrap with a non-wax automotive cleaner, as waxes can interfere with the adhesive of the film. Make sure to clean the ridges, crevices and seams as well. It is also important to sanitize the surface with isopropyl alcohol and a lint-free towel. This is critical as vinyl wraps accentuate any dirt and imperfections that are present on the surface of the car.
The next step is to trim the excess wrap from each edge of the vehicle, leaving about a 1/4-inch margin all around. Then use a heat gun to soften the edges of the wrap and tuck them under each panel. It is recommended that you start with a flat section, such as the hood or roof, and work your way around the car.
