What are Wraps for Cars?

Car wrapping was originally introduced so that companies could add branding to their vehicles and to advertise their products and services. Now it’s more readily available and is often used by drivers to add some individuality to their cars.

The process involves the fixing of thin vinyl sheeting over the exterior paintwork of a vehicle. This sheeting may be available in a variety of colours and finishes and can be custom-printed to incorporate the required colours and details.

Types of wrapping and how the process works

Car wraps can come in different styles:

• coloured wraps that obscure the existing colour and quickly replace it with another to change the appearance of your car and give it a whole new look
• clear wraps that will preserve the existing colour of your car and give it an extra layer of protection
• printed wraps that can carry details of your company, raising brand awareness and providing ongoing advertising or, for individual owners, can give your car a unique appearance
• partial wraps that cover only certain sections of the car.

Car wraps can be creative or plain, shiny or matte. It’s up to you to create the appearance you want.

The process of wrapping involves a series of steps:

1. Taking comprehensive measurements of the car to determine the amount and shape of wrapping needed.
2. Establishing whether you need a plain wrap of a certain colour and finish or a patterned wrap with a particular vehicle signage design.
3. When necessary, printing your design onto the vinyl and then laminating it for protection.
4. Ensuring the vehicle’s paintwork is completely clean so there will be no imperfections under the wrap.
5. Fitting the vinyl and ensuring a perfect finish.

The whole process takes a few days, which is shorter than for a full respray and also costs less. Once it is done, your car will look like new, and it will be better protected.

The car wrap should last for around five years provided you look after your vehicle properly. In general, that means washing the car regularly using a soft sponge, water and mild cleaning products. Waxing and polishing are not necessary, and you should avoid automatic car washes that can damage the vinyl.

Getting the best vinyl wrap

The longevity and effectiveness of a car wrap depend mainly on the quality of the initial installation. Resist the temptation to go for the cheapest deal because that may only be possible if the supplier cuts corners to achieve the price. Failing to clean the car properly before starting will result in spots where there is dirt beneath the vinyl while the use of low-quality vinyl will cause it to bubble and form wrinkles, spoiling the appearance of your car.

Every car wrap is unique in some way and the supplier needs to treat it as such. Good preparation is key and should ensure your wrap works well and gives you the result you want.

Vinyl wrapping is an investment in your vehicle that will enhance its appearance, protect the paintwork and improve its value. But these benefits will only be gained if you do the job properly. Choose your supplier carefully, check reviews and testimonials and be sure the best materials and techniques will be used. You need to be able to trust your supplier to do a good job.

At Icon Signs, we pride ourselves on doing everything professionally, thoroughly and to each customer’s requirements. That applies equally to car wrapping and you can trust us to make your car look great. Contact us to get started.