Everyone likes the feeling of rolling onto the scene in a shiny, brand new car. Getting a paint job can have the same effect, giving that old and faithful car a new look and a new lease on life. Are there better options though? More than a few people are taking to the popular trick of vinyl car wrapping, and they’d recommend the same without hesitation. Less expensive than buying a new car and more versatile than paint, car wrapping may just be the way to go in 2019. So what should a buyer know about it? Let’s find out.
10 Cost
Cost-wise, vinyl car wrapping is roughly within the same range as a fresh paint job, depending on the desired modifications and whether or not it’s a detailed job or full wrap. So it all depends on the needs of the customer. A full job won’t dip below 2 grand, but neither does a quality paint job. If a customer isn’t willing to pay for quality, there are of course cheaper options for paint, but in that case: whatever is paid for is what the driver has to live with. Either way, if careful, wrapping doesn’t have to break the bank.
9 Maintenance
Just like a paint job, vinyl-car wrap details definitely need proper maintenance if they’re going to remain at the same dazzling quality. It’s recommended that car wraps be hand washed only, at least once a week, with a cleaning agent specifically tailored to the vinyl wrap. Trying to get your wrapped car through an automatic wash could result in damaging the wrap job irrevocably. It’s a big and time-consuming job, but it’s worth it to keep that car wrap looking brand new. It also extends the life of the wrap, getting the real worth out of the modification.
8 Durability
A car wrap can last a very long time if it’s properly taken care of. If done right (read as: professionally installed) and diligently maintained, a car wrap job can last for about 7 years. Typically, customers start to notice a difference in quality near the 4 to 5-year mark; the color, shine and feel starts to show its age. However, these are minor and natural, as opposed to the marks of shoddy workmanship, like bubbles, creases, and premature lifting of the wrap because of dirt. Overall, car wrapping is a good investment that is made to last.
7 Options/Variety
Now, this is the fun part! Car wrapping has so many options it’ll make anyone’s head spin off their shoulders. Colors, patterns, aesthetics, even placement: it’s all customizable. There are several brands to choose from, some even offering color-shifting schemes that are designed to change with the light. There are also vinyl that mimics other materials like stainless steel, carbon fiber, and leather, not to mention the vast array of finishes like satin, gloss, semi-gloss or matte. There’s also the option to create a personal design digitally. Really, when it comes to car wrapping, the creative possibilities are virtually endless.
6 Advertising Opportunities
Car wrapping provides an amazing opportunity for any kind of business that really wants to put their product in the public eye. From pizza delivery trucks to landscaping businesses, having a car wrapped in the company logo, colors, or slogan is a sure fire way to get it into the sight of and on the minds of passersby. It also presents opportunities for those who have a driving route; there are companies who will pay to have their merchandise or services advertised on someone’s car. However, beware of scammers. Car wrapping scams are some of the oldest in the game.
5 Application
Some people think that getting their car wrapped will cover dents, rust or paint splatters, making the car look shiny and new. They couldn’t be more wrong. In order to apply vinyl wrapping to a car, the surface has to be as smooth and as clean as possible! Otherwise, the vinyl won’t adhere correctly; there will be bubbles and creases, and every imperfection will show beneath it. It’s recommended that the car owner gets their car thoroughly washed and detailed before getting it wrapped. It’s a process, true, but it’s the only surefire way to prevent premature lifting of the wrap.
4 Removal
If you decide to sell your car, or just want to try a different look, car wrapping can be removed. However, the removal of vinyl wrap can go one or two ways depending on the previous maintenance. First of all, it’s always best to take the car back to the original shop that applied the wrap. If the wrap is still intact structurally, removal is easy-peasy, only taking about 3 to 4 hours and costing around $600. If removal gets nasty, with the wrap coming apart because of being baked in, the labor time and price will definitely climb.
3 Protection For Paint
If a car has high quality or factory paint job, car wrapping can only do two things for it: cover it and protect it. There’s no need to fear to damage the paint. In fact, the vinyl will act as a barrier between the paint and weather exposure, rocks and other debris, and the normal wear of time. If done the right way, the vinyl won’t even leave a sticky residue when removed. Of course, a driver should be picky about what sort of vinyl is used to guarantee the best results. Off-brand vinyl can not be vouched for, unfortunately.
2 Warranties
Uh oh, a scratch, ding, or tear is made in the brand new car wrap. What can be done? As with most services done to a car, vinyl wrapping comes with a warranty. Depending on who did the wrapping, there could be a few or many options. Every detail comes with its own warranty length, but the average seems to be between 1 and 5 years, given that a full car wrap life is estimated at 3 to 5 years (7 if you’re very diligent about maintenance). However, what’s covered and what isn’t is subject to who does the wrapping.
1 It’s Not For Everyone
Just like anything else one does to modify a car, car wrapping is an investment; and not just an investment of money, but of time. An important factor that is often overlooked is also where a person lives. Salt used for the road in cold, snowy climates takes its toll on the vinyl; and if left out too long in the extreme heat, the wrapping will definitely begin to wear out. If the maintenance and extra care isn’t a turn-off, then God’s speed. The results are not something to sneeze at by any means, so go for it!