Vehicle Graphic Estimator

How does vehicle wrapping work?

A vehicle wrap is a process in which a large vinyl graphic or decal is applied to a vehicle’s exterior surface. The wrap is custom printed with a design or advertisement and then applied to the vehicle using a process called “wrapping.” The process typically involves the following steps:

  1. Design: A design or artwork is created, preferably by a trained and skilled professional graphic designer, that will be printed onto the vinyl wrap.
  2. Printing: The design is printed onto a large roll of vinyl using a large or grand format printer.
  3. Lamination: A protective laminate is applied over the printed vinyl to protect it from scratches and UV rays. This laminate can also alter the vinyl wrap’s look and finish, providing a Gloss, Luster, Satin, Matte, or even iridescent or metallic finish.
  4. Cutting: The printed and laminated vinyl is cut into smaller sections that will be applied to the vehicle. It may even be contour cut for special effects and layering to enhance the vehicle wrap’s intended purpose.
  5. Cleaning and Prepping: The vehicle’s surface is thoroughly cleaned and prepped to ensure that the wrap will adhere properly. This involves removing old vinyl, decals, badges, road tar, contaminants, and flaking paint.
  6. Application: The vinyl sections are applied to the vehicle, first with the most significant sections. A heat gun and other tools conform the vinyl to the vehicle’s contours and set the vinyl’s adhesives’ initial bond.
  7. Trimming and Finishing: The vinyl edges are trimmed, smoothed, and tucked to ensure a clean, finished look.

The process of a vehicle wrap can take several hours to a few days, depending on the size and complexity of the design and the skill of the installer(s).

When the life of the wrap has expired, the wrap can be removed by a trained and competent vinyl or body technician. The process of removing a vehicle wrap is a process that is done in the reverse order of installation. The process typically involves the following steps:

  1. Heating: A heat gun or other heat source softens the vinyl wrap, making it easier to remove.
  2. Peeling: The vinyl wrap is carefully peeled away from the vehicle’s surface, using a 45-degree angle to lift as much adhesive as possible with the vinyl.
  3. Removing Adhesive Residue: Once the vinyl wrap has been removed, adhesive residue may be left behind on the vehicle’s surface. This residue is removed using a solvent or adhesive remover, applied to the surface, and then gently scraped off with a plastic scraper. In some extreme cases, the vinyl and adhesive are removed with a rotary eraser wheel to protect the subsurface from damage.
  4. Cleaning: The vehicle’s surface is thoroughly cleaned to remove any remaining adhesive residue and to prepare the surface for a new wrap or paint job if desired.

The process of removing a vehicle wrap can take several days, depending on the size and complexity of the wrap and the skill of the removal specialist. It’s important to note that if the wrap was applied for an extended period, it will be more difficult to remove and may cause damage to the original paint. And, if the wrap was applied for a very long time, it may be necessary to repaint, refinish, or rewrap the vehicle.

Unleash your creativity and make your wrap truly one-of-a-kind with the nearly endless customization options offered by 2CT Media. Whether it’s for personal or business use, our team has got you covered. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to make a lasting impression on the road. Get started today by giving us a call at (480) 269-7585 or trying our convenient vehicle wrap cost estimator for a free quote and comparison of car wrap prices. Don’t wait, let’s make your vision a reality!

Advantages of vehicle wrapping

There are several advantages to using a vehicle wrap on a vehicle, including

  1. Advertising: One of the main advantages of a vehicle wrap is that it allows for consistent and constant mobile advertising. Interestingly, the American Automobile Association Foundation for Traffic Safety claims drivers spend approximately 17,600 minutes behind the wheel. Having in mind that your vehicle gets exposure to hundreds of people with each passing minute, wrapping is easily the most affordable advertising option. A well-designed wrap can grab the attention of thousands of people on the road, making it an effective way to promote your brand.
  2. Marketing: Vehicle wraps are one of the best ways to increase brand awareness and recognition. In some cases, Vehicle wraps can increase a brand’s exposure 10x other mediums, and it’s one of the lowest cost investments. Wrapped vehicles with company marketing are the best way to grow recognition for your brand. This method is cost-effective and gives the impression that your business is booming.
  3. Cost-effective: Vehicle wraps are generally more cost effective than traditional paint jobs with a few caveats. The lifespan of a wrap is generally less than a standard paint job. Still, for commercial advertising purposes, it allows significantly greater flexibility at a significantly lower cost point than hand painting. Depending on the finish and how well you take care of it, your car wrap will last an estimated three to seven years.
  4. Customizable: Vehicle wraps can feature a wide range of designs, colors, finishes, and images. This allows businesses to create a unique, eye-catching design that stands out on the road, commands attention and builds recognition. 
  5. Protection: Similarly, vinyl wraps can provide excellent protection. The coating will preserve your paint ultimately, irrespective of exposure to the elements, and provide a great return on investment. Vehicle wraps can protect a vehicle’s original paint from damage caused by the elements, such as sun, rain, smog, contaminants, and wind. While also protecting the paint from scratches and chips caused by debris on the road. Namely, different surveys show that exterior conditions can affect resell value, with estimates ranging from 10 to 25%.
  6. Easy to Remove: Vehicle wraps can be easily removed without damaging the vehicle’s original paint, unlike permanent paint jobs. This allows for flexibility, as the vehicle can be wrapped with a different design or returned to its original paint color.
  7. Versatility: Wraps can be applied to nearly any type of vehicle, from cars and trucks to boats, buses, and even airplanes. We can even wrap walls, doors, windows, floors, ceilings, you name it. This allows for a unified customer experience and consistent branding.

In summary, a vehicle wrap can offer a cost-effective and eye-catching solution for advertising and protecting your vehicle while also being easy to remove and customize. 

Keep reading if you are wondering about vinyl maintenance and how much it is to wrap a car!

Maintaining your vinyl car wrap

While wrapping your car is a great way to preserve its exterior, the vinyl, too, would require some maintenance. Owners may ask themselves a series of questions, so we did our best to compile a short list that walks you through the maintenance process. Your wrap is an investment, so it is vital to learn how to take care of your vehicle.

Vehicle wrap maintenance is the process of taking care of a vehicle wrap to ensure that it remains in good condition and continues to effectively advertise your business or product. 

  1. Regular Cleaning: Regularly cleaning the vehicle wrap will aid in the removal of corrosive dirt, grime, and other debris that can accumulate on the surface. This is done using mild soap and water, or a specialized vinyl wrap cleaner (Which we have available). Avoid using abrasive cleaning products, harsh chemicals, and the improper use of high-pressure washers, as these can damage the vinyl.
  2. Protect from extreme temperatures: Avoid exposing the vehicle wrap to extreme temperatures, both hot and cold. This can cause the vinyl to shrink or expand, which can cause wrinkles or bubbles in the wrap.
  3. Park in the shade: Park your vehicle in a shaded area when possible to reduce the amount of UV light that the wrap is exposed to. UV light can cause the colors of the wrap to fade over time.
  4. Avoid sharp objects: Take care to avoid sharp objects that could scratch or puncture the vinyl. This includes things like branches, rocks, and even pet claws.
  5. Avoid chemical contact: Some chemicals can cause damage to the vinyl wrap. Avoid Chlorine and Ammonia-based cleaners, exposure to the adhesive can and will cause critical damage to your wraps surface bond. Other abrasive and corrosive chemicals will deteriorate the laminates’ protection leading to a decreased overall lifespan.

It is important to follow the providers’ instructions to ensure that the wrap lasts as long as possible. Regularly cleaning the wrap, keeping it out of extreme temperatures, and avoiding sharp objects, can help prolong its lifespan. Additionally, it’s important to monitor the wrap for any signs of wear or damage, such as wrinkles or bubbles, and notify the installation company immediately as soon as they are noticed.

FAQ

Although you can take your wrapped car to an automated brushless car wash, handwashing is safer and more effective. Conversely, brush-based car washes may degrade the film quality, causing edges to lift and peel. However, if the car wash is of the touchless style that is becoming increasingly popular, it should be perfectly fine for most vehicles. Please understand that while convenient, Automatic Car Washes will void the wraps warranty in nearly every case.

If you’re pressure washing your vehicle wrap, keep the pressure below 2,000 psi. Use a nozzle with a wide-angle spray pattern of 40 degrees and a water temperature no higher than 140 degrees Fahrenheit. Keep the nozzle at least 12 inches away from the surface for extra safety. 

Don’t let bird droppings or tough stains sit for too long, for this can make them harder to remove and may damage the wrap permanently. Soak the affected area in warm, soapy water for a few minutes to loosen the contaminants, and then rinse and dry with a soft fabric cloth. 

When you are cleaning an area with difficult-to-remove contaminants, use 80/20 isopropyl alcohol. Similarly, you can make a solution of two parts denatured alcohol to one part water. As always, test on a small patch before using it on the main surface to ensure it won’t damage the wrap. Most importantly, avoid using solvents, ammonia, chlorine, or citrus oil-based cleaners!

When it comes to cleaning fuel spills, time is of the essence. The quicker you act, the easier it will be to clean up the spill and preserve your car’s vinyl. If you can’t get home immediately, take a wet paper towel and give the affected area a quick wipe down at the gas station.

Protect your investment by always parking in a garage, under a canopy, or any other type of shelter. If you must leave it outside, seek out shaded areas to minimize the effects of UV rays. Remember, pollutants can accumulate quickly on horizontal surfaces, these contaminate the laminate and their destructive properties increase and intensify when exposed to the sun over a prolonged period. There is no repairing a wrap that has been damaged by the elements, it’s always better to do preventative maintenance and take simple precautions than to prematurely replace your wrap. Don’t let your car’s wrap suffer from sun damage and harsh weather conditions! 

Several things will influence the cost of a vehicle wrap. The cost can vary widely depending on a number of factors, including the size of the vehicle, the complexity of the wrap design, the quality of the wrap material, and how long the installation process will take. More difficult cars to wrap (like those with complex curves) often cost more because they require extra time and effort.

Generally, the cost of wrapping can start at $500 for a partial wrap on a smaller vehicle and go as high as $10,000 or more, depending on the multitude of factors and considerations. A full wrap on larger vehicles like pickup trucks, vans, SUVs, box trucks, and trailers will be more expensive than a smaller car wrap because more vinyl is needed to cover the larger vehicle leading to increased labor and production times. On average, you can expect to pay between $2,000 and $5,000 for a full wrap on most vehicles.

These prices might seem like a lot at first glance, but factor in that it is a single investment that can last upwards of 3 years and has the single best ROI short of word-of-mouth. In most cases, if you have a vehicle wrap, you are practically guaranteed to make your money back and then some in less than a year!

The curvature of the vehicle, total coverage area, and final design determine exactly how much vinyl you’ll need. However, A small car may need roughly 50 linear feet of vinyl, while a pickup truck may need 75-100 linear feet.

Are you looking to make a bold statement with your truck wrap and promote your business? Look no further than 2CT Media! Our team of experienced professionals specializes in designing and installing custom truck wraps that are sure to turn heads. When it comes to advertising, don’t settle for anything less than stunning. Trust 2CT Media to make your truck wrap look professional and fit perfectly. Don’t waste time searching for “wrapping a car near me” or wondering about car wrap costs. Give us a call at (480) 269-7585 today for a free quote and utilize our vehicle wrap cost estimator above. Don’t wait, let’s make your business stand out on the road today!