I want to get my car wrapped but it’s really expensive, and it seems like something I could maybe do myself. What’s the easiest way for me to wrap my car myself?

Liz Jenson · Updated on Nov 29, 2021

Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.

You can definitely wrap your car at home! Here’s the easiest way to do it:

Before you start, get rid of any

dents

, large scratches, or other imperfections on your bonnet, as these can cause your wrap to bubble or pull away from the surface.

Work in a clean, controlled environment to prevent any dust, dirt, or bugs from getting trapped under the wrap.

Work on a warm day, as both your car and the vinyl wrap should be around 68 degrees for the best results.

At this point, make sure you have the right tools for the job, including:

Squeegee

Grease and wax remover like Goo Gone

70 to 90% isopropyl alcohol

Clean cloth towels

Utility knife

Cutting tape

Heat gun

Infrared thermometer

Cotton wrap gloves

After you have all the supplies and tools, move onto the next steps:

Wash your car thoroughly with a non-wax solution, then wipe down the surface with the isopropyl alcohol and clean towels.

Measure each section of your car and add a few inches to each measurement. It’s better to have too much material than too little.

Cut out your first section with your utility knife. It’s a good idea to start with a small, flat section of your car.

Put on your cotton wrap gloves and lift the vinyl wrap in the air.

While holding it up and keeping even tension on the material, remove the backing. Be careful not to accidentally fold the material as you do this.

Lay the material on your chosen section. Be sure to leave extra material around the edges.

Press down the center of the wrap, keeping tension on the edges as you do so. Then, begin to squeegee from the center of the wrap in overlapping strokes. This will push the excess air out from under the wrap and make it flush to the surface of your car.

Continue with this process on the other sections of your car. If you start to notice bubbles or wrinkles in the wrap, gently peel back the vinyl and heat with your heat gun. Then use the squeegee again to press the material down flat.

When you’re finished placing all of the vinyl sheets, cut the edges with your utility knife within a quarter-inch of the edge of each panel.

Use the heat gun to evenly heat the edges to at least 212 degrees. You can use your thermometer to make sure that you get the vinyl hot enough. This will activate the adhesive.

Use the squeegee and your fingers to firmly seal the edges of the vinyl wrap to each panel.

Finally, use the heat gun on the rest of each panel, heating each section to at least 212 degrees.

If you notice any bubbles, pop them with a pin or your utility knife and press them down with your fingers.

The adhesive takes 12 hours to set, so let your car sit in a protected environment until then.

And just like that, you’ve wrapped your own car!

Since you’re taking the time to customize your car yourself, why not take an extra minute to save some money on your car insurance policy? The

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