Your car’s paint color may seem like a permanent thing, but wrapping your car can allow you to change your car’s exterior without harming your paint. Wrapping your car can be a great alternative that’s as long- or short-term as you want.
and it gives you the convenience of adjusting the vehicle's look whenever you like.
If you have noticed a car with an emblazoned camouflage or some other eye-catching print, there are high chances that the vehicle has been modified by being wrapped in vinyl. It's like a temporary tattoo for the car. Still unfamiliar?
Well, below is a more detailed explanation, provided with help from
Car wrapping is a method or technique of changing your car's appearance without using paint by partially or fully covering your vehicle with a vinyl film. With a car wrap, nearly any pattern or color is available to you, with the only limit being your budget.
While a car wrap is also referred to as a paint wrap, painting and wrapping a car are two different things. In car wrapping, the decals can be removed later with no effect on the current paint, while painting is the permanent removal of the car's contemporary spray.
Car wrapping is a perfect option if the factory does not provide your favorite color, or you don't like the color on your existing leased car and want to change it. Wraps come in different types, including advertising, clear vinyl, and color vinyl wrapping. You can find perfect reasons to wrap your car based on these categories.
The best option is to visit a nearby car wrapping shop. Those that work there will likely have expertise in using the necessary tools like cutting blades, infrared thermometers, and heat guns. It is prudent to have a professional wrap your car for the best outcome.
The process begins with wrap washing the car and framing it with a clay bar to eliminate any contaminants from the paint surface. Some wrap installers apply isopropyl alcohol to clean the paint surface, then use compressed air to remove dirt particles.
This is followed by the removal of car parts like taillights, headlights, and bumpers to apply the wrap effectively. If you are not comfortable with this stage, you can request the wrap installer to instead use a scalpel to cut the vinyl around the car lights and grilles.
The vinyl is then applied to the car's body using a heat gun to make the item more pliable to suitably hug the car's shape. Installers will need additional vinyl layers for advanced wrap designs like custom colors.
The last step involves applying a felt squeegee to eliminate any air pockets. The whole car wrapping process takes a few days, although specific demands such as matching door jambs can delay completion.
The door jambs alone take approximately one day to wrap, since the doors need to be separated from the car before wrapping.
The lifespan and cost of wrapping a car
MORE: Here's How You Can Get Your Car to Change Colors
If well maintained, a car wrap can last up to five years. However, excessive exposure to sunlight can reduce its lifespan. Wraps on cars that are regularly parked on the street or not regularly cleaned can last as little as a year.
The cost of wrapping your car varies based on the vehicle's size, material, and the complexity of the process.
For instance, covering a Ford Mustang with a matte or satin would cost you between $3,000 and $4,000, while chrome or metallic wraps are more costly because of the higher cost of items and the installation difficulty.
Chrome finishes can become dull when they are exposed to too much heat or overstretched on a curved surface, making their installation complex. Thus, if you consider using chrome wraps, expect to part with as much $6,500 to $8,000.
An insurance app for your wrapped car
The best accessory you can have for your stylish contraption is good car insurance. With the
app, you can solve your insurance shopping problems in just 45 seconds. A licensed broker, Jerry does all the hard work of finding cheap quotes from the top name-brand insurance companies and buying new car insurance. Jerry will even help you cancel your old policy.
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