The paint job is a key aspect of customizing your vehicle. Poor paint work can ruin a well-built vehicle. However, it can be very expensive to get a high-quality paint job. Vinyl wraps are a more affordable option. Vinyl wraps offer many advantages over painting your car.
Vinyl wrapping: What is it?
Vinyl wrapping protects your car’s paint and allows you to customize it. Vinyl is a thin film applied to the car’s paint. It’s like a huge decal. It’s likely that you’ve seen a vehicle covered in vinyl wrap at some point, even though it wasn’t obvious to you. Clear protective film is applied to the front bumper of many new cars. It acts as a barrier to protect the vehicle’s front from rocks and other debris. The film protects the paint underneath and keeps the car looking longer and newer.
Vinyl wrap applies the same concept to the whole vehicle. You wrap the entire car instead of just wrapping the front. Clear protective films are not the only option. There are many colors of vinyl available from companies.
Why choose vehicle wrap?
Vinyl wraps are great for many reasons. Let’s look at the pros.
Low cost
Vinyl wraps are affordable, which is one of the most attractive features. A full wrap for your vehicle will be half the cost of a high-quality paint job.
Minimal downtime
It is not an easy job to paint a car. It all adds up, from the preparation work to priming and drying time between coats of paint. Depending on how complex or detailed the job is, it could take days to paint your car. Vinyl has a faster turnaround time. The most important tasks are to clean the vehicle and finalize a design. The installation of the wrap can be completed in just a few days.
There are many options
Vinyl wraps are more versatile than paint in terms of color options and finishes. Vinyl can match any color you paint a car. Many companies offer color-shifting wraps which can change from one color to the next depending on the angle of light. You can give each color different finishes, such as matte, semi-gloss and matte. Vinyl can also be used to imitate other materials like carbon fiber, stainless steel or leather.
It is removable
Vinyl can be easily removed and repainted if you choose to return to the original color or to a completely new one. This allows you to easily change the appearance of your car.
Protect your paint
Vinyl wraps can also protect your original paint. You can take off the vinyl when you are ready to sell your car to reveal the original paint underneath.
Digital Design
Vinyl wraps can be personalized with digitally printed designs. This allows you create a unique appearance for your car. You can find amazing examples of vinyl designs by doing a quick Google search or Instagram search. There are many examples of cars that look like old warplanes and supercars that look like they have been sitting in the California sun for decades. Advertising with your car using digital designs is also an option that can be cost-effective.
Are There Cons?
Vinyl wrapping is not a problem. Vinyl has few negatives. However, they can also be used to customize other areas.
You get what you pay for
Vinyl is not all created equal. You get what your pay for. Avery and 3M offer vinyl of high quality that won’t damage your paint and provides a great look and lasting durability. While other brands may look and feel similar, they can be less durable and more susceptible to discoloration. Worst, low-quality vinyl can damage your paint. Make sure you only choose high-quality vinyl.
Did we mention that you get what you pay for?
A professional is required to apply a vehicle vinyl wrap. Unprofessional installers can cause damage to your vehicle. After the vinyl has been applied, it must be cut. Professionals will not damage the original paint, while amateurs can leave marks and scratches on your car’s finish. The quality of the wrap can also be seen by looking around at the edges. A novice will leave ragged edges and curves along the panels. Although it may look great from a distance, poor installation can cause damage to a well-built vehicle. Vinyl installation requires that the installer has been certified and trained.
As good as paint?
Vinyl wrap is not as rich in character and depth as a high-quality paint job. A well-installed wrap made with premium vinyl will look just like any other paint job, and cost a fraction of what it would.
