Pros and Cons of Car Wrapping
For anyone considering giving their car a new lease of life, a car wrap may be the answer. With various colours and designs available as well as the option to design your own, car personalisation has never been easier. However, before putting forward the cash – and time if you’re keen to give it a go yourself – we thought we’d weigh up the pros and cons of car wraps for you.
The materials you use, the technique you follow, these are all factors that can dictate the overall finish of your car wrap. We, with the personal accounts of some of our ChipsAway technicians, want to ensure you know all the positive and negative aspects before wrapping up.
Pros Of Car Wraps
It’s Personal to you
With the finish of vinyl wraps becoming pristine and designs tailored to your personality, more motorists are opting for them. Whether it’s a full body wrap or just the wheels, this personalisation gives you the freedom to have a car unique to you. Not every wrap is a crazy colour; vinyl’s wraps really vary and allow you to change the colour frequently without the permanence of a respray.
Protect your Paint
Another great reason to wrap your car is to preserve its paintwork. The vinyl wrap acts as a protective layer against small chips and dings from stones and other road damage. If you’d like to eventually sell the vehicle in its original condition, protecting the paint will preserve its resale value and avoid having to pay out for any minor scratch repairs.
For a more subtle finish, our ChipsAway specialist for Totton and Hythe, Oliver Edwards, recommends a ‘clear protection system which, when applied to the front of your pride and joy, will prevent stone chips while keeping the original colour shining through.’
Cost-effective Colour
Before splashing out on a complete respray, a car wrap allows you to test out new colours at a lower cost. While the price of a vinyl wrap can vary, especially if you want the work carried out at a professional Body shop, it is a cheaper option and allows you to be flexible with the style and design as well as the length of time you keep the car wrap.
It’s Removable
If you decide in six months – a year you no longer favour your current car wrap, you can simply remove it! We use the word ‘simply’ figuratively here, as removing a car wrap is a slow and precise process, to ensure you preserve the vehicle’s quality. Some tips for removing a vinyl wrap include using a heat gun, a slow peel approach and try to avoid abrasive solutions.
Cons of Vinyl Car Wraps
You Get What You Pay For
‘All wrap is not created equal.’ – Steve Perkins ChipsAway specialist for the Hartlepool area. If you’re considering wrapping your car on a budget, it is worth noting that you definitely get what you pay for. So, if you want to try a bit of DIY and purchase a cheap wrap to cut costs, this may give you a less desirable finish than trade wraps or a wrap that is rated on quality.
Steve, a self-proclaimed amateur wrapper, says ‘[a] trade quality product is often quite amenable to self-healing’ meaning ‘small scratches and even holes when gently heated up again, will “melt” away and hence “self-heal.”’ This handy benefit of trade wraps can’t always be found in low-quality products and should be considered when considering a home kit rather than professional work.
Dramatic Colour Changes
While wrapping your red car with a black vinyl will initially look great, another ‘con’ worth noting, is the eventual colour change when the wrap suffers any scuffs or scratches. As the wrap undergoes more damage, the colour will begin to seep through, becoming more noticeable and losing its overall finish. The protective element of the vinyl wrap will also be lost, again exposing the paintwork to more damage.
Consider the Legalities
If you’re planning to add a full-body wrap which will drastically change the colour of the car e.g. from black to red, you will need to inform your insurance company as well as the DVLA. This can be a long-winded process especially if you only wish to wrap your car for a short period, before changing it back. It’s worth checking online before investing money into an exterior full body wrap. Although car wrapping isn’t a preferred car style by our expert technician Oliver Edwards, he believes ‘for advertising or tidying up an old car I can see it has its place.’
Car Wrap FAQ
Is car wrap cheaper than paint?
Wrapping a car is typically cheaper and offers more flexibility in terms of design and customisation. However, if you are looking for a long-term solution and the original paint is in poor condition with scratches and scuffs, a full respray may be more suitable.
How long does wrap last on a car?
A professional car wrap can last anywhere between 3 to 7 years, depending on various factors such as the quality of the vinyl, installation, environmental conditions, and maintenance. A high-quality car wrap with proper aftercare and protection can last up to 7 years, offering a durable and visually appealing alternative to traditional paint respray.
Do car wraps chip?
Car wraps are generally quite durable and designed to withstand a variety of environmental factors, but they can still experience damage under certain conditions. While chipping is less common in wraps compared to paint, other forms of damage can occur such as road debris causing scratches and tears in the wrap or incorrect cleaning and harsh chemicals leading to a weakened vinyl.
Can I wrap my own car UK?
The short answer is yes you can wrap your own car in the UK, however there are several important factors to consider. Firstly, wrapping a whole car requires skill and patience, so if you haven’t ever wrapped a car before, it is recommended that you practice on small sections first. As well as skill, wrapping a car requires specialist equipment such as cutting tools, a heat gun and a clean workspace. Finally wrapping a car is very time consuming for a non-professional, so it may take several days to a week to complete the job.
While it is possible to wrap your own car in the UK, it requires a lot of preparation, skill, and patience. If you are confident in your abilities and willing to invest the time and effort, you could achieve a good result. However, for the best finish and to avoid potential issues, many car owners prefer to have their car wrapped by a professional. Finally, don’t forget to handle all necessary legalities such as informing the DVLA and your insurance provider.
What happens to car wrap after 5 years?
The condition of a car wrap after 5 years depends on several factors such as the quality of the wrap, the application, maintenance and the environment of the vehicle. After 5 years, a car wrap may show signs of fading, peeling, cracking, or other wear and tear. Proper care can prolong the life of the wrap, but eventually, you may need to repair or replace it.
Does car wrapping damage the paint?
It’s unlikely that it will damage the car’s paintwork. If the car wrap is well-maintained and professionally removed, the car’s original paintwork should remain in good condition.
What affects how long a car wrap lasts?
There are many different factors that can affect how long a car wrap lasts including:
- Quality of the wrap – The higher quality wrap, the more chance it will outlast a cheaper option. There are cheaper alternatives on the market, but the premium wrap brands are designed to resist peeling, cracking and fading.
- Installation – Having a car wrap professionally applied will likely increase the longevity of the wrap. Professional technicians use specialist tools to apply wrap, ensuring there are no weakened spots, bubbles or wrinkles.
- Maintenance – Regularly cleaning the wrap will help prevent dirt and debris from degrading the vinyl wrap. Where possible, park the vehicle in a garage or use a car cover to protect the wrap from UV damage and fading.
How do you wash a car that has a vinyl wrap?
Cleaning a car with a vinyl wrap is slightly different to cleaning a standard vehicle. Here is a guide on how to correctly clean a vinyl wrapped vehicle.
- Rinse the vehicle – Use a gentle hose to rinse the vehicle to remove any dirt or debris. Always start from the roof and work your way down the vehicle to avoid scratching the wrap.
- Hand wash the wrapped vehicle – Fill a bucket with warm water and a vinyl safe car cleaning shampoo. Then dip a microfibre cloth or a non-scratch sponge into the solution and begin to gently clean the car in sections, working from the top, downwards.
- Rinse Often – Rinse each section with clean water to prevent a soap build up.
- Final Rinse – once the car is free from dirt, give it one final rinse to ensure all the shampoo has been removed.
- Dry the wrap – now the car is clean, gently dry the car with a soft microfibre cloth, avoiding circular motions.
Can I pressure wash wrapped vehicles?
According to car wrap experts 3M, it is ok to pressure wash a wrapped vehicle, but only under certain conditions. The water pressure must be below 2000 psi (14 MPa) and the water temperature should be below 80 °C (180 °F). Also, avoid automatic car washes with brushes that could scratch or lift the edges of the vinyl wrap.
