Vinyl wrap has come a long way in recent years, and it has emerged as a popular way for people to add signage or a bit of personality to their vehicles.
Car wraps are versatile, cost-effective and they look fantastic. With a little bit of maintenance, you can get many years of life from your wrap.
In this article we’ll explore vinyl wraps in more detail and see what you need to do to keep yours looking perfect for years to come!
How Long Does Vinyl Wrap Last?
The lifespan of vinyl wrap depends on the quality of the material, installation and how well it’s maintained. A high-quality vinyl wrap can last between 5 to 7 years, or even longer if properly cared for.
Here are some factors that affect the longevity of vinyl wrap:
- Material quality – Higher quality wraps with UV protection tend to last longer. Cheaper, lower-quality materials degrade quickly.
- Installation – Proper installation by a car wrap Brisbane specialist is crucial for the longevity of vinyl wrap. If the wrap is applied incorrectly, it won’t last as long.
- Environment – Exposure to harsh weather conditions, such as extreme heat, cold and sunlight can impact the lifespan of a vinyl wrap.
- Maintenance – Regular maintenance can contribute to a longer lifespan.
- Driving conditions – The way the vehicle is used can also affect the lifespan of the vinyl wrap. For example, a car driven in urban areas with heavy traffic and frequent stops may experience more wear and tear.
How to Care for Car Vinyl Wrap
The vinyl used to wrap vehicles is effectively a very thin and flexible type of plastic. One side is printed with colours and graphics, and the other side features a tough adhesive. While most wraps are similar, quality products feature special air escape technology that makes them easier to apply and easy to keep clean.
And while vinyl wraps are fairly tough, it’s important to remember that they’re a serious investment. That means you need to care for your wrap if you want to get the best value for your money.
You can extend the life of vinyl wrap by doing things like:
- Regularly washing the vehicle with soap and warm water. Avoid using automatic car washes with brush rollers, as these can damage the wrap or peel up the edges.
- Clean up spills of petrol and engine oil as soon as possible. These can damage the vinyl and the adhesive layer. If you spill a little bit of petrol on the car, clean it up with a paper towel immediately, and then wash the spot with soap and water as soon as possible.
- Park the car in shady spots whenever you can. The sun is the biggest enemy of vinyl wraps. Quality wraps will last for years in harsh conditions, but UV rays will degrade the plastic and can cause the adhesive to become irrevocably stuck to the car.
- Clean marks like road dirt, bird droppings and dusty pollution. These things can all stain your wrap if they’re left on the surface too long.
- Avoid polishing or waxing the vehicle, as these products can scratch the vinyl wrap.
Consult your installer if you’re unsure how to take care of your vinyl wrap. They’ll be able to provide instructions from the manufacturer on which products to use and where you should be focusing your energy.
Why You Should Consider Wrapping Your Vehicle
There are lots of ways you can add signage or a touch of personality to your vehicle. Paint, stickers, decals or a new set of wheels can all bring some much-needed flair. But there are few customisation options as effective as vinyl wrap.
Vinyl wrap is an all-in-one solution for changing the entire look and feel of your car, motorbike or truck. It comes with a few major benefits, such as:
- Long lifespan – Quality vinyl wrap can last for 10+ years with proper care. That’s not quite as long as a new paint job, but it’s more than enough time to get your value for money!
- Easy to replace – Car wraps are not a permanent change to the look of your vehicle. They can be peeled off and replaced at any time. This is especially useful if you’re using car wraps as a form of signage. You no longer need to worry about the expense and hassle of repainting any time your signage needs to change – simply peel off the wrap and replace it.
- Affordable – Repainting an entire car is an expensive task. It takes hundreds of hours, and it’s important that you pay for the work of a high quality technician. On the other hand, wrapping your car is relatively affordable, which is great if you plan to remove the wrap in future.
- Quick to apply – It typically only takes 2-3 days of work for a professional to apply vehicle wrap. Compare that to painting, which can take 2-4 weeks of work to complete.
- Can be removed entirely – Fleet operators often use car wraps as signage. Then, when the vehicle reaches the end of its life, the wrap can be removed without damaging the value of the car. That’s a great way to recover some of your investment and ensure vehicles don’t go to waste at the end of their service life.
- Protects the car’s paint – Finally, wrapping your vehicle actually protects its paint from the sun. UV rays can do serious damage to the paint on your car. There’s no way to prevent it except with vinyl wrap. By keeping the sun off your paint, you can prevent cracking and crazing that will eventually make your paint job look terrible.
