Vinyl car wrapping is a cost-effective way of changing the appearance of your vehicle. Whether you want to promote your business on your vehicle or make a good impression, car wrapping can give your tired old vehicle a new lease on life.
Car wrapping is an alternative way of changing the exterior of your vehicle without the need for an expensive paint job. Sometimes known as a car paint wrap, colour wrap or paint protection film (PPF), the result can be an entirely new colour or design outside your car.
Like paint, you can use car wrapping to achieve a range of looks - including a matt or shine finish, creative designs or simply a transparent protective layer.
During the process, your vehicle is covered either fully or partially in vinyl film.
The most common types are:
If you are considering a car wrap, you’ll want to first look for a studio that specialises in car wrapping. Knowing what kind of look or finish you want for your car is always a good idea. That way, the studio can give you a more accurate quote.
Once you’ve decided what you want, your chosen provider will want to take measurements of your car and then finalise the details of your wrap.
After booking your car for a car wrapping appointment, your provider will print and laminate the vinyl to fit your vehicle. They will apply the vinyl to your car over a few days.
Vinyl can be tricky to work with if you don’t know what you are doing. Make sure you choose a professional team to take on this job.
The main reason people opt for car wrapping is to change the exterior of their vehicle. However, the procedure is often cheaper than a full respray. Unlike a new paint job, car wraps are removable. This makes it an excellent option for business owners who want to rewrap their cars every two to three years. If you're looking at buying a car but can't find one in the colour you like, car wrapping is a good option. Learn more about buying a car online here.
Wrapping also protects your car from scratches that can damage your paint job. Cars are subject to much paint damage from driving on gravel roads or rogue shopping carts. These paint wraps provide added protection and ensure your paint job is always protected.
Another reason many people opt for a car wrap over a new paint job is that re-spraying a vehicle can take several weeks. Most shops can get your car wrapped in less than five days. The result is less time, less cost and less inconvenience to the vehicle owner.
If you’re trying to save money on a paint job, it can be tempting to choose a car wrapping studio that’s super cheap. A bad wrap job can look thin and bubbled, making your car look cheap and worse than before.
When choosing the right provider, ask to see photos of other car wrapping jobs they have completed. Don’t DIY your paint wrap, and don’t just choose the shop with the cheapest service. You should also take your time to read their Google reviews or website testimonials to see what other patrons are saying.
Bird droppings can be a downside to a car wrap. Their droppings can erode the soft plastic vinyl of your new exterior. Look after your car by cleaning it regularly and parking indoors when you can.
If you are involved in a crash that causes severe dents to your car, your provider may need to remove the vinyl before they can fix the car.
Yes. This is why choosing the right person for the job is important. While a car wrap doesn’t cause damage to the underlying paint, some bad providers can cause damage to the paint by cutting the vinyl and knicking the car with their knife. If you choose an excellent shop to complete your car wrap, you shouldn’t have any problem reselling your vehicle, even after removing the vinyl.
Car wraps can be washed. However, hand washing is usually the best option. Taking your newly wrapped car through an automatic car wash can damage the vinyl. It’s best to talk to your provider about car care to ensure you are looking after your exterior in the best way possible.
Wasting or polishing your car after a wrap is usually not necessary. Many polishes are abrasive, and you should only use a vinyl-friendly wax. Using water, mild car cleaning products and soft sponges and washing your car by hand is the easiest way to look after and prolong your new car wrap job.
If you look after your car's exterior, a wrap should last several years. Looking after your vehicle with regular cleaning will help extend the lifetime of the wrap. The good news is if your car does damage, the vinyl can be removed and replaced without needing to re-wrap the entire car.
Need your car transported to a car wrap service? Use Wise Move to find door-to-door transportation here.
Wise Move is New Zealand’s leading moving service, helping thousands of customers with home moves, furniture removals, car and motorcycle transport, and more. Since 2017, we’ve been delivering reliable, affordable, and well-reviewed moving services in just a few simple steps. Our focus has always been on making moving as simple and effortless as possible for our customers.
