Vehicle wrapping: What it is and why it’s an alternative to paintwork

Vehicle vinyl wrapping, a technique also known as car wrapping, is a brilliant alternative to paintwork, offering precisely the personalised touch you want for your car. Vehicle wrapping is not only easy to apply, but if you are able to make the most of its potential by following the manufacturer’s advice, the end result – in terms of both quality and the durability of the vinyl – can be comparable to that of paintwork. In fact, it is important to pay close attention to these instructions in order to ensure the protection of vehicles. Let’s take a look at what vehicle wrapping involves and how you can make the most of this fantastic technique to give your vehicle a quirky look.

What is vehicle wrapping and its most common applications?

Vehicle wrapping is simply a technique whereby vinyl is applied to the surface of a vehicle. The vehicle can be covered either fully or partially. It is a technique that is applied by hand, one section at a time, to each part of the vehicle that is to be wrapped.Nowadays, car wrapping is used, for example, to add advertising to vehicles, or to customise them by incorporating effects that alter the paint finish, such as a matt or gloss finish, or any other background you can imagine.

How long does vehicle wrapping last?

The lifespan of vehicle wraps varies, depending on the type of materials used in the car wrapping process, how well they are maintained, and whether they are suitable for the job. If these conditions are met, their durability can be comparable to that of paintwork.As we mentioned, there are different types of vinyl with varying lifespans. Depending on their lifespan, some can last up to eight years without losing any of their properties, and even longer if, for example, we are able to prevent the vinyl from being exposed to sunlight.Using high-quality vinyl that has been specifically designed for this purpose and, of course, cleaning it properly using the products recommended by the manufacturer for this purpose. Carrying out this routine on a regular basis is essential if we want to extend the life of our vinyl.

If the car is damaged, what risk is there to our vinyl?

If the car on which we have applied our vinyl were to be hit, this material is similar to paint and would therefore behave in the same way. However, it does have one advantage over paint: vinyl has the unique feature that it can be repaired using heat. Alternatively, in serious cases, only the damaged section of vinyl can be replaced, thus helping to maintain its quality.

PLASTGrommet tools for vinyl

The tools that we at PLASTGrommet recommend for carrying out the car wrapping technique, i.e. applying vinyl to vehicles, are as follows:1. Spatulas Please note that you need to use vinyl wrapping spatulas of different hardnesses and types, depending on the areas of the vehicle where you are applying the wrap.2. Magnets These magnetic pieces act as an extra pair of hands for the operator applying the car vinyl, enabling them to achieve excellent vehicle graphics.3. Heat gun This tool allows you to manipulate the vinyl, remove any warping and position it precisely where you want it.4. Cutters In this case, the cutters must be very sharp, so that the cut can be made without applying too much pressure, to avoid damaging the paintwork. Bear in mind that you may need to change the blade several times during the vehicle wrapping process.5. Gloves Gloves should be worn, provided you choose ones that do not leave any residue on the adhesive. In this case, you can opt for anti-static, seamless gloves, which will make handling the vinyl much easier.6. Surface cleaner When carrying out the car wrapping process, a surface cleaner is needed to remove any traces of dirt from the vehicle before applying the vinyl.7. Anti-bubble pen This is another tool we need when wrapping vehicles to efficiently remove the bubbles that form as a result of applying the vinyl.

What types of vinyl are used in car wrapping?

There are various types of vinyl available on the market. These can be monomeric, polymeric or cast; it is precisely the latter that is best suited to vinyl wrapping, as it delivers the best results and offers high durability. Cast vinyl is a mouldable type of vinyl that can be adapted to the different surface shapes of a vehicle and is repositionable, making it easier to apply.

On which surfaces can we apply vinyl stickers?

Nowadays, it is possible to apply graphics to any type of surface. When it comes to modes of transport, this includes not only cars, but also jet skis, motorboats, aeroplanes, two-wheeled vehicles, etc.

Common mistakes when applying vinyl wraps to vehicles

When implementing any of the vehicle signage techniques, it is important not only to bear in mind the recommendations already mentioned, but also to be aware of the most common mistakes that are often made in this type of work, so that they can be avoided. One of the most common mistakes is, in fact, choosing unsuitable materials.Another common mistake is storing vinyl wraps incorrectly; no matter how much effort we put into the vehicle wrapping process, if we don’t store them properly, all that effort will have been for nothing.And, finally, the lack of training in car wrapping or vehicle signage is detrimental, to say the least.