Car wrapping: 10 aspects to be considered in vehicle signage

Car wrapping is a technique that is used for decorating, customizing and 'painting' cars, boats, airplanes, motorcycles and many other surfaces. A special adhesive vinyl is used to cover all or part of the vehicle, molding by hand the material that adheres to the paint.

It is also known as vehicle vinyl, although ‘car wrapping’ is more widespread.

As it is a job done by hand, specialized training is required to apply the vinyl correctly without leaving imperfections. In addition, due to the multiple possibilities that it offers, it is a technique widely used for advertising purposes. It is an eye-catching solution that attracts people’s attention effectively.

Tools used in the car wrapping technique

The success of vehicle wrapping technique lies in three fundamental aspects: the quality of the materials or film to be used, the use of appropriate tools and the experience of the professional who develops the job

Here below, we will discuss the key tools every professional must have to make a perfect vinyl application.

1. Squeegees

It is the main element and perhaps one of the most important items. Squeegees of different types and different hardnesses are needed to carry out a correct application in the different parts of the vehicle. For example, for curves and uneven areas, squeegees should be flexible.

When choosing squeegees, we must also take into account the vinyl or film we will work with. There is delicate vinyl, widely used in car wrapping, such as chrome, which needs specific squeegees that can prevent any damage when applying the material. In this particular case, we recommend the use of squeegees with a microfiber-coated edge. They can either be used for dry or wet applications, and their coating helps them slide better

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2. Magnets

They are the perfect magnetic tool for any car-wrapping professional. It helps to hold the material and keep it positioned in the area of application. They are an extra aid when working, as they help prevent errors when placing the material.

The most used model is the handle magnet.

3. Hot air gun

It is also known as heat gun and it is used for handling the vinyl, removing the memory and fixing it in the final position. The gun can reach 80ºC, so it is essential to have gloves to handle the film.

4. Cutters

These tools must be of the highest quality to be able to cut without excessive pressure and not damage the paint coating of the vehicle. It is important to have spare blades to maintain optimal sharpness.

5. Gloves

Gloves are essential to keep work clean and free of impurities. Always bear in mind that, when working with plastic materials and adhesives, gloves should generally be chosen according to special characteristics.

The most recommended gloves for vehicle wrapping are the antistatic and seamless models, which are very comfortable to wear.

6. Surface cleaner

Before starting a vinyl-applying process, it is essential to clean the entire surface to remove any dirt, wax, silicone or particles that do not allow a good application of self-adhesive film. The edges, corners and borders are the critical points for adhesion, so it is advisable to check the cleanliness of these spaces.

7. Anti-bubble pen

Bubbles are likely to appear during application, so it will be necessary to have an anti-bubble pen, a tool specially designed for this use. If you tend to use a cutter to remove bubbles, over time a crack will appear.

8. Vinyl type

In the market, we can find different types of vinyl: monometric, polymeric or cast. For car wrapping, cast vinyl is recommended because it offers better results, greater durability, flexibility and adaptation to different shapes. Also, working with this type of vinyl is very easy, as many can be replaceable.

9. Vinyl Removal Tools

In order to remove the vinyl, we recommend plastic blades and lift sticks to lift the film. Chemical products that help to remove the film and do not harm the vehicle's paint coating are also used. For more intense work, rubber disks assembled on drills are very popular.

10. Common car-wrapping mistakes

Finally, we could make mistakes in the application of the film due to several reasons. For example, if we do not choose the right tools or the right materials, we can hinder the professional’s work, and by not having the right printer/laminator combination, unwanted waste may appear during the job.

Another common mistake is not having proper vinyl storage in the workshop, so the material can suffer irreversible damage. A good organization and vinyl storage make the work in the workshop more fluent and help prevent any wastage.

Advantages of car wrapping

Car wrapping offers unlimited possibilities of decoration and exclusive customization. Unlike varnishing, it is cheaper and quicker, and it also protects the original surfaces of the vehicle. Also, since it is easy to remove, vehicles can be transformed into a new piece of advertising. For advertisers, it is an ideal choice due to its high aesthetic impact and quality.