Vehicles 2 min read
What to know before wrapping a vehicle
Paint condition, problem areas, downtime and how to care for the wrap afterwards.
A successful wrap depends less on the artwork and more on the surface it is applied to. There are a few things to check before booking the vehicle in.
Paint condition matters most
- Factory paint is the ideal surface, the vinyl bonds evenly and comes off cleanly.
- A repainted vehicle needs fully cured paint, ideally after at least 30 days. On fresh or poorly bonded paint, the vinyl can lift the layer at removal.
- Rust, chips and deep scratches are not hidden under vinyl, they are emphasised.
- Unpainted plastic parts and textured bumpers do not hold vinyl as well as metal.
Areas that need attention
Front and rear bumpers, sills, mirrors, handles and deeply curved areas are handled separately, sometimes with parts removed. Cast vinyl is mandatory here, because it conforms without pulling back.
Time and installation conditions
| Type of work | Estimated time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Partial door graphics | 3 to 6 hours | can be done the same day |
| Partial wrap, half the body | 1 day | includes cleaning and degreasing |
| Full car wrap | 2 to 3 days | with parts removed |
| Full van wrap | 2 to 4 days | depending on area and curves |
- Installation happens indoors, in a clean space at a controlled temperature. On the street, in dust or frost, quality cannot be guaranteed.
- The vehicle must arrive washed, with no wax or silicone products on it.
- The first wash should be 7 days after installation.
Care and removal
- Hand wash or moderate pressure from at least 40 cm, never aiming directly at the edges.
- Avoid the hard brushes of automatic car washes, which lift edges.
- Do not use aggressive or solvent based cleaners.
- At the end of a campaign the vinyl is removed with controlled heat, so the paint stays intact.
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