A beginner’s guide to vehicle wrapping

Want to revamp the look of your car without paying for an expensive new paint job? Or maybe you need to brand a fleet of company cars or vans. Vehicle wrapping could be the answer. But what exactly is this technique, how do you do it and is it a good option? In this post, we answer all these questions and more.

What is car wrapping?

Car wrapping is a technique that involves covering, or partially covering, vehicles in vinyl film. This coating is applied to the existing paintwork. The technique offers a quick and effective way to dramatically alter the look of your vehicle, with an array of colours and designs available. You can also choose between gloss and matte finishes to achieve the look you’re after. 

Vehicle wrapping is typically less expensive than shelling out for a full vehicle respray, and it can be used to create certain visual effects that are very difficult or even impossible to achieve with paint.

What are the different types of car wrapping?

There are many different types of vehicle wraps available to suit different purposes. Here are some of the most popular.

Colour change

People often use wraps to change the colour of their cars. You can choose either a total colour change or a partial wrap. In the case of a partial wrap, you might decide to just get your roof done, or maybe the spoilers or wing mirrors, for example.
 

Bespoke designs

Want something truly unique? Bespoke vehicle wraps can be created to display anything from personal artwork to your business logo. This is a particularly popular choice for company cars and for vehicles that are used to promote special events.
 

Detailing

Vinyl wraps are now commonly used for vehicle detailing too. Modifications include everything from dechroming for a stealthy look to pin-striping for a sporty vibe.
 

Paint protection

As well as enhancing the aesthetics of cars, wraps can be used for functional reasons. For example, satin clear vinyl can be applied to cars to add a layer of protection to the paintwork.

How to wrap a car

Car wrapping might sound easy in principle, but it’s actually highly technical and is definitely a job best left to the experts. There are three main stages to this process. The first is taking careful measurements of your car and selecting a suitable colour and finish from the variety of vehicle wraps available, as well choosing your graphics if relevant. The next stage is to print and laminate the vinyl, or to select a suitable coloured vinyl off the shelf. 

The last stage is to apply the wrap to your vehicle. Before doing so, your car or van will need to be carefully cleaned and prepared. All dirt and debris must be removed, including from areas such as the windows, door seals, inside of doors, wheel arches and under the bonnet. Even though these areas will not come into direct contact with the wrap, it’s really important to thoroughly clean all parts of your vehicle to avoid the risk of dirt spoiling the finish. Bear in mind that professional wrappers will have the right products and tools to effectively remove stubborn grease and dirt. Ideally, the bodywork should be in as good condition as possible too, as wraps don’t work as well on vehicles that have scratches, dents, paint bubbles and so on. Another step to preparing a vehicle is to remove any hardware, such as wing mirrors and door handles, that may get in the way and make the finished wrap less neat.

As outlined before, while it is possible to source a wrap and apply it yourself, it is much better to let the professionals do this. They have all the equipment and experience needed to achieve a perfect finish.
 
Bear in mind that a full vehicle wrap can take around two days to complete, and you may need to drop your vehicle off the day before and leave it at the shop for a day afterwards to allow the finish to settle before you can drive your car away. You should therefore plan to be without your vehicle for up to four days if you’re having a full wrap.

The advantages of car wrapping

There are lots of potential benefits to wrapping your car. For example, it can give your vehicle a fresh colour, design or texture for much less than a complete respray would cost. Also, the results are not as permanent as a new paint job, which could be an advantage if you’re worried that customising your vehicle will lower its resale value. In addition, because the wraps have a scratch and UV-resistant coating, they can protect your paintwork.
 
Car wraps can offer low-cost advertising for your business too, giving you the chance to show off your brand while you’re behind the wheel.

How much does it cost to get a vehicle wrapped?

How much it costs to get your vehicle wrapped will depend on a number of factors, including the size of your vehicle, the type of wrap you go for (for example, partial or full) and the material you choose.