Getting a Car Wrapped? 8 Thinks You Should Know Beforehand

The statistics show that there are 1.88 vehicles per household in the United States! Needless to say, most Americans own a car.

With car ownership comes maintenance and aesthetic issues. If you want to change the look of your car then getting a wrap is a great alternative to painting it. However, you may not be aware of all that you need to know before going ahead and having it done.

While there are several pros to getting a car wrapped there are also cons that you should be aware of so that you are not shocked if something unexpected happens.

Here are some of the most important things you should know before you wrap your car.

1. Ice, Snow, and Heat 

If you live in an area where salt has to be used often to melt the ice on the road then you may want to think twice about getting a car wrap. The salt will be tough on your car.

Another thing that may work against the longevity of your wrap is if you live in an extremely hot or humid climate. The sun can be brutal on your vinyl wrap especially if you have your car parked outside in the sun for long periods of time.

If you do go ahead and have your car wrapped when living in a colder or warmer climate. You will need to be prepared to do extra maintenance and to treat your car a bit more delicately than the average wrapped vehicle.

2. Be Prepared to Shelter Your Car

Before you wrap your car you need to consider where you will house it once it is wrapped. No matter where you live or which climate you live in, its best to have a garage to house the car when it is not in use. If you don’t have a garage then you may want to consider buying a car cover.

If you have previously been using car washes to keep your vehicle clean, you can no longer do that. The heavy-duty brushes used at automatic car washes will scratch or even lift off your new wrap. You will need to be ready to start washing the car by hand with microfiber towels. 

3. Let’s Talk About Lifespan

A common question that is often asked is, “How long can a wrap last?” Typically a car wrap can last anywhere from one to five years. How long is lasts is highly dependent on the first two things discussed.

The weather plays an important role in longevity. How you clean the car also helps to determine the lifespan of the wrap.

If you live in a moderate climate, keep the car in a garage and clean it by hand, a wrap should last a minimum of five years. 

3. What Condition Should Your Car Be In?

The condition of your car beforehand is important to the final outcome of the wrap. Never get your car wrapped if the paint job on it is bad. It will not make your car look better.

All the bumps and bubbles from the old paint job will show up in the wrap. This means that a wrap is not the best way to cover up a bad paint job.

Also if there are scratches, dents and dings in the car then it will show up in the completed wrap. You will need to get all these imperfections fixed before wrapping your vehicle.

4. Price Varies

Your next question will probably be, “How much does it cost to wrap a car?” The truth is that it varies based on several factors. These include the size of the vehicle, and how complex it will be to install the wrap.

Another thing that causes variances in the price is the type of materials that are used to wrap the car. Typically, a matte or satin finish will cost you less than a chrome or metallic finish.

If you have a pricey vehicle such as a Rolls-Royce expect to pay more than the average customer, no matter what the finish. Installers tend to have to be more careful with these installations. This is because the body panels of high-end cars tend to be a bit more difficult to remove.

5. The Best Reasons Why You Should Wrap Your Car

Sometimes you may not want to get a new car but want your car to have a different look, at least for a short period of time.

A wrap is a great option for this because it can make a very old car feel new again. You can get your car done in multiple colors or put designs on it. Everything is totally customizable based on your taste.

There are wraps that will mimic stainless steel or even leather, you can also choose from a wide variety of finishes for the vehicle. You can design a wrap yourself digitally and have it put on the car.

If you own a business car wrapping is a good option for putting your logo and your message on your company vehicle. A good chrome vinyl wrap will make your vehicle stand out. Of course, you can also use this type of wrap on your personal vehicle as well.

A Final Look at Getting a Car Wrapped

Getting a car wrapped is a good option if you want to give your car a fresh look. What makes it even more fun is the fact that there are so many looks available. The possibilities are endless, you also have the ability to come up with your own design for your vehicle, which makes for a truly customized look.

If you would like more helpful auto maintenance tips, please visit that section of our website.