vehicle wrap

Vehicle Wraps: Important Things to Remember

A professional vehicle wrap can help create brand awareness and increase sales. With each mile driven, over 600+ people will view your marketing message. Best of all, once you park your car, it will continue to drive impressions and help promote your business. It’s an excellent investment for any size business. No other advertising medium comes close to the ROI and impressions generated over the lifetime of the wrap. We want to share with you a few things to consider before and after you get a vehicle wrap:

Is a Car Wrap Worth the Money?

The average vehicle wrap generates anywhere between 30,000 to 70,000 daily impressions, and if properly taken care of, will last for a very long time. The wrap can pay for itself over time—this is why it’s considered to be one of the most cost-effective forms of advertising out there.

Will a Wrap Damage the Paint?

If you get your vehicle professionally wrapped, it will not damage your paint. In fact, it can actually help protect it from the damaging effects of UV rays. This can also help increase the resale value of your car—the paint will look as good as it did when you first got the car wrapped. The only time a car wrap can damage the paint is when it’s installed by amateurs. Sometimes fly-by-night discount wrap places will offer a seemingly too good to be true price—but beware. They will use low-quality vinyl that has no warranty or uses an unsafe adhesive that can damage the clear coat of your car. At Rebel Wraps, we only use high-quality, professional vinyl on all the cars we wrap. This means that your paint will be protected, and your wrap will look amazing.

Can You Wrap a Damaged Car?

People often wonder if they can wrap a car that has rust, body, or paint damage: Rust & Body Damage – If your car, truck, or van has rust or body damage, it’s going to be very hard to wrap that section of your vehicle. Vinyl wrap material will not adhere to rust or the jagged edges of body damage. Aftermarket Paint Jobs – If you have a bad paint job that has an “orange peel” texture effect, it will clearly show up in a vinyl wrap. It’s best to get your car professionally repainted prior to wrapping it for the best chances of success. Peeling Clear Coat – If you have areas of paint that are chipping or peeling, such as the clear coat, it’s best to have them sanded or “feathered” by a professional body shop. This will provide the vinyl with a better surface to adhere to.

How Long Do Wraps Last?

The average car, truck, or van wrap can last anywhere from 5 to 7 years. The better you maintain your wrap, the longer it will last. Dirt, UV rays, and extreme weather are the worst enemies of a car wraps. You can increase the longevity of the wrap by storing your vehicle indoors and out of the harsh elements. If your car is parked in an industrial area with lots of airborne pollutants, it’s advised that you wash it as often as possible to remove these harmful chemicals.

How to Maintain a Wrapped Vehicle?

Your new vehicle wrap can last for many years if you perform some simple maintenance:
  • Wash your car whenever it appears dirty. This will help keep your wrap looking as new as the day you got it. It will also help remove airborne contaminants which could damage the vinyl material.
  • You can run your car through an automatic car wash; however, it’s advised that you use the services of a touchless car wash. The mechanical brushes could potentially cause scratching and marring of the vinyl.
  • When hand washing your car, only use a wet, non-abrasive detergent and sponge. Dry the vehicle with a clean towel. Be careful of what car wash soap you use—make sure the back of the bottle specifically indicates that it’s safe for wrapped vehicles.
  • Do not wax or use other similar products on your vinyl wrap. They won’t make your wrap any shinier and could potentially cause chemical damage to the wrap.
  • If you accidentally spill some fuel on the wrap at the gas station, it’s advised that you immediately wipe it off and wash the area as soon as possible to remove any lingering gasoline film.

How to Remove Your Wrap?

Sometimes you need to remove your wrap due to selling your car or promotion ending. While it’s best to hire a professional to remove your car wrap, here are the steps you can take to remove it yourself: Use Heat While you can use a hairdryer, for the best chances of success, you’ll want to use a professional heat gun. Ensure that the gun isn’t in one spot for too long. Otherwise, the vinyl could start to burn. Start in a Corner – Grab a corner piece and slowly start to pull at a 45-degree angle. This will help ensure that it won’t break off into little pieces. Keep slow and steady pressure; otherwise, you could cause the vinyl to pull up and the laminate still on the car—if this occurs, it’s more work to remove the laminate. Remove Adhesive Residue – There will be some adhesive residue that’s left behind after you remove the wrap. It’s much easier to remove if you use a solvent that’s designed explicitly for vinyl wrap removal.

Car Wraps in Spring Grove, IL

If you’re ready to get your car, truck, or van professionally wrapped, give the experts at Rebel Wraps a call at (800) 435-6110. We’re conveniently located in Spring Grove and can help you with all aspects of the wrap—from initial design and concepts to wrapping the vehicle itself. Click here for a no-obligation quote!
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