What Is a Car Wrap?

What is car wrapping?

Car wrapping is a way of changing the look of your vehicle without the need for a complicated and potentially expensive paint respray. It involves completely or partially covering your vehicle with a vinyl film. This film can be used to overlay the vehicle with a different colour or design, add a gloss or matte finish, or simply add a protective layer.

A car wrap may also be known as a paint wrap, color change wrap or paint protection film.

How does a car wrap work?

When a car is wrapped, a layer of plastic vinyl coating is stuck over the top of the vehicle’s paintwork.

• Taking accurate measurements of the car then choosing colours, finishes or graphics to fit.
• Printing and laminating the vinyl to protect it from scratches/abrasions and UV damage.
• Applying the vinyl to your vehicle.

It can be a fiddly job that won’t look great if it’s not done correctly, so car wrapping should be done by a professionally trained technician. They will be able to properly prepare the surface of your car and ensure the plastic layer is cut to fit each panel.

Disadvantages of car wrapping

It’s easy to ruin a car’s looks with badly applied car wrapping. Cheap services or materials can result in the wrap looking bubbled, thin, cheap and ragged at the edges. Unskilled fitters may leave deep scratches in the car’s paint when they cut the vinyl to size.

If the vinyl is not properly fitted then water could become trapped underneath it, leading to rust. In the event of water damage, you may also find the paint is removed alongside the wrap when it is taken off.

Even if you have a professional car wrap, you may still face issues. Bird poo can corrode the vinyl much more easily than regular paint. You may also find that the brushes and bristles used in a car wash degrade the wrap, so gentle and regular cleaning is advised.