FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT WRAPS
Smart business owners know that vehicle wraps are extremely cost-effective in terms of advertising dollars. It is estimated that a vehicle wrap can generate 30,000 – 70,000 impressions per day. Since most vehicle wraps last between three to five years, the cost-per-impression is tiny compared to other advertising methods. It's a great way to achieve "top-of-the-mind awareness" for your company. Learn more here.
By the way, if you just want to make your car look super cool, that's just fine, too.
What is a vehicle wrap?
A vehicle wrap is a large vinyl graphic or decal that is applied over the original paint of the vehicle.
What's the process involved in a wrapping a vehicle?
Vehicle wraps are produced in four or five phases.
- Design: Includes measuring and photographing the vehicle, designing and producing digital graphics, and creating printable files.
- Production: Graphics are printed and laminated.
- Removal of Prior Vinyl Wrap: This step is taken if needed.
- Detail Cleaning: Using special products to remove all waxes and other contaminates from the surfaces to be wrapped to ensure a good install.
- Installation: Printed vinyl is applied to the vehicle.
What's the difference between a partial and a full wrap?
Vehicle wraps are typically defined as follows:
Full Wrap: Covers all the painted surfaces of the vehicle, excluding the roof on larger vehicles where graphics are generally not visible.
Partial Wrap: Anything less than a full wrap
Half Wrap: Includes the entire rear, halfway up the sides of vehicle, and a hood logo.
Three-Quarter Wrap: Includes the entire rear, the sides of the vehicle up to the front of the doors, and a hood logo.
How long will the wrap stay on my vehicle?
The life of your wrap depends on a number of factors, including weather conditions, prolonged exposure to sunlight, and how you care for it. Normally, a vehicle wrap is expected to last between three to five years on vertical surfaces. We have seen wraps last much longer, but they become more difficult to remove. Usually, after three to five years, most businesses wish to update their look and messaging.
Will a vehicle wrap damage my paint?
In most cases, vehicle wraps will not damage factory paint jobs. Paint in poor condition, however, may peel when the vinyl is removed.
Do I need to wash my vehicle before installation?
Yes. All vehicles must be free of dust, mud, wax, oil, Armor-All, and other agents that may prevent the vinyl from adhering to the paint surface. We do deep clean the surfaces before installation so you don’t need to wear yourself out. Right before you bring the vehicle in, just do a basic wash to remove all dirt and road grime, using a good detergent with no wax or sealers.
How long will it take to wrap my vehicle?
Production time of vehicle wraps will vary widely from project to project. Design can take between a few days to a few weeks. Print and installation generally takes two to three days. We will need your vehicle in the shop for installation for one to three days.
If my vinyl vehicle wrap graphics are damaged, can they be fixed?
Yes. Normally, damaged pieces or panels of your vehicle wrap can be replaced after your vehicle is repaired. You do not need to redo the entire wrap if the damage is limited to certain areas of the vehicle.
Can you wrap a leased vehicle?
Most leased or rented vehicles have factory paint jobs with excellent paint quality. Vinyl applied over factory paint is best because the vinyl can be removed easier without damage or "paint peel." Leased vehicles are often wrapped throughout the country without incident or damage. However, you must always obtain permission to wrap a leased or rented vehicle.
How do I care for my wrap?
Hand washing is best. Try to avoid high pressure washes and be careful never to use an ice scraper on window graphics. There are specially designed products to clean and polish vinyl graphics. Learn more about caring for vehicle wraps here.
How much does a vehicle wrap cost?
The cost of a vehicle wrap depends on the various details of a project.
- Size of vehicle
- Type of vehicle — Vehicles with compound curves and indentations, such as a VW Beetle, PT Cruiser, or some Sprinter Vans, are more time intensive than a vehicle with angular contours.
- Design Time
- Materials — Cast vinyl is a high performance vinyl that is more expensive than Calendared, an intermediate vinyl. Cast vinyl wrap lasts longer.
- Printing
- Installation
- Extent of Wrap — When a full wrap is outside your budget, a partial wrap is a great way to minimize cost and still get a great looking vehicle wrap.
Get an estimate by filling out our form.
How can I justify the cost of a vehicle wrap?
If Your Vehicle Wrap is for Advertising: There is no more cost-effective advertising method available. It has been proven that the cost per impression (CPI) of vehicle wraps is far less than all other forms of advertising including television, radio, billboards, and even digital ads. Learn more in this article Vehicle wraps: The no-brainer, must-have, indispensable marketing tool.
If Your Vehicle Wrap is to Upgrade Vehicle Appearance: Digitally printed vehicle wraps simply cannot be duplicated by more traditional methods like painting or airbrushing.
Can you easily remove vinyl graphics used for wraps?
Yes, in most cases. The vinyl used for vehicle wraps is designed to be removed with no residue or paint damage. However, if the vehicle's paint is not from the original manufacturer or the OEM warranty has expired, it might peel off with the removal of the vinyl. Generally, vinyl removed prior to OEM warranty expiration is guaranteed. Ask us for details regarding the particular vinyl selected to use on your vehicle.
Can I see through vinyl on the windows?
You can see through window graphics that are printed on perforated window material. This material is perforated with very small holes that allow you to see out. From inside the vehicle, visibility is similar. For safety reasons the front windshield and the front side windows should not have vinyl graphics. Normally, the rear window and side rear windows may be covered.
What is the best base color for a vehicle that is going to be wrapped?
The printable vinyl vehicle wrap material is usually completely opaque, so your vehicle's base color is not visible through the material. However, the vehicle's base color will be visible in the cracks and other unwrapped areas, such as in the grill or under the door handles. There are some color change and custom patterned wrap vinyl’s that are not opaque, so the underlying color will affect the way it looks.
Which surfaces of my vehicle can be wrapped?
The adhesive on our vehicle wrap material is designed to stick to the slick painted surfaces of vehicles. The adhesive doesn't stick as well to porous surfaces, such as plastics or rubber trims. This needs to be taken into consideration when designing your graphics.
