Being an ardent lover of customization from iconic companies that wrap a car such as West Coast Customs and Lunaz, I couldn’t help but wonder why it is really a smart idea to embark on such adventure as a car owner. What makes car wrapping such a smart idea? Is it beauty or is it for restoration purposes? Lots of car enthusiasts across the planet often ask themselves different questions pertaining to wrapping a car. I will be highlighting some of these unavoidable questions while proffering helpful answers to them.
1. What is the meaning of car wrapping?
Just like when you wrap a gift for an important friend or associate in during a celebration of something, to wrap a car means applying a decal or large vinyl graphic directly on the car’s original paintjob. This helps you change the look of your car for a short period of time and return it to default colour when you feel like or desire for a different look. The process is often seen as a way of making the car aesthetically pleasing to the eyes while keeping the original paint of the car safe. In some cases, vehicles are wrapped for marketing and advertisement purposes.
2. What are the stages of car wrapping?
To wrap a car, there are 3 stages to follow. First, there is a need to start with the design stage, which involves acquiring precise measurements for the car and the type of graphics you intend to apply on it. For the second stage, this has to do with the stage of production where the graphic will be printed and laminated as well to offer the vinyl enough protection from UV rays and abrasions that cause fading of graphics after some time. The final stage which is the third phase is when the vinyl graphic is installed on the car. Removal of the installed graphics might be classified as fourth stage but it is only on request by the owner of the vehicle.
3. Is there any difference between full and partial car wrap?
When a wrap doesn’t cover the entire body of the car, it will be classified as partial wrap. Sometimes, the owner of the car might request for the entire front or rear side of the car to be wrapped. It could even be 3-quarter or half partial wrap. Unlike the partial wrap, the full car wrap entails covering the whole surface of the car.
4. What is the life span of wrap on a car?
For a wrap that is effectively installed on a car, it is expected for it to last as much as five years. However, you can remove it anytime when you feel the need to. Most importantly, a good vinyl graphics will stay long on the vehicle’s body. On the other hand, to wrap a car usually takes a day.
5. Does car wrapping destroy the paintjob?
The answer to this question is a big no! A good car wrap is obviously not expected to destroy the factory paintjob on your car. The reason for such is from the point that wrap doesn’t stick to rust. However, if there is case of chipping paint, such might be pulled off by the wrap at the point of removal.
6. Is car washing a must before wrapping?
Before the installation of the graphics on the car, it is recommended to wash the car thoroughly. This process will rid it of wax oil, mud, dust and other agents that might inhibit the vinyl from sitting well on the surface of the car.
7. Can you fix a damaged car wrap?
It is very possible to fix a damaged vinyl graphics. This could happen during replacement or repair of some parts of the body. You do not need to incur unnecessary debt on yourself. The only thing needed here is the rewrapping of the affected parts.
8. Is it possible to wrap a leased car?
Before you carry out such installation on a rented or leased car, you need to get permission from the owner. Since the wrap can be removed easily without hampering the original paintjob of the car, it’s pretty safe to do so.
9. Is it cost-effective to wrap a car?
If you are applying low-quality paint on your car, it might be cheaper to wrap your car. However, for premium paint, the prices might end up being the same as wrapping the car with vinyl graphics. For those who are interested in colour-shifting paint or matte finish, it will be more expensive compared to wrapping the car.
10. Does vinyl on car window allow visibility?
It is quite possible to see through graphic windows as long they are installed on perforated window film. In some cases, small holes are allowed on the perforated window to ensure good visibility from the outside. On the inside, it looks exactly like you will see through on regular tinted window.
11. Should I be worried over bubbles or wrinkles on car wrap?
It is absolutely normal to have occasional bubble or wrinkles especially on full car wrap. Depending on the expertise of the person doing the wrapping, there are many techniques that will reduce these imperfections to the barest minimum. Though wrinkles might be found on rounded surfaces but there shouldn’t be such on flat surfaces.
Bonus article: Chrome wrapping
When you wrap a car with chrome, it is mostly brassy, shiny just like a regular mirror at home. At the hand of an expert while wrapping a car in chrome, it appears as if it’s the real chrome. It is often hard to sight imperfection when you chrome wrap a car. Chrome wrapping often resists substances such as water, oil, dirt and other regular agents common on the roads. If the vehicle is mainly for collectible or exhibition purpose, chrome wrapping is definitely a good option. If you intend to use it for daily activities, it doesn’t seem to be a smart idea. It is often difficult to care properly for car chrome wrapped since they are vulnerable to scratches.
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