Frequently Asked Questions

Absolutely, with one exception. Clear vinyl overlaminates protect the finished print from scuffing, weather, gasoline, and washing. Some overlaminates also provide fading protection from the sun, so just ask the Wrap man. Finally, most installers highly prefer to wrap with a vinyl that has been overlaminated because it provides much more strength during the wrapping and wrap removal processes. The only exception to clear vinyl overlaminate would be for perforated window film.

Anything less than a full wrap is normally called a "partial wrap." A half partial wrap normally includes the entire rear of the vehicle and halfway up the vehicle, and includes a hood logo. a three-quarters partial wrap normally includes the entire rear of the vehicle and most of the way up the vehicle, and includes a hood logo. Typically, a full wrap includes the entire surface of the vehicle.

Normally, you can leave a wrap on between one to six years. The life of your wrap depends on many factors. In general, a high performance cast vinyl wrap using solvent long-life inks and a UV protective overlaminate can last more than three years.

In most cases vehicle wraps will not damage factory paint jobs. It is important to talk with your supplier and possibly pre-test your paint job prior to wrapping with vinyl. Paint in poor condition may peel when vinyl is removed.

Yes. All vehicles have to be free of dust, mud, wax, oil, armor-all type products, and other agents that may prevent the vinyl from adhering to the vehicle surface during the installation process. Even if you clean the vehicle yourself, your wrap provider will still do some prep work to the vehicle to ensure it is ready for the vehicle wrap. Most vehicles need to be high-pressure washed with detergent. After washing, it is also critical to prep the vehicle surface with degreasers, alcohols and other solvents.

That depends. There are software programs (including our own Wrapman System) that have accurate dimensions of most standard production-run cars, trucks, and vans. If your vehicle is a limited issue or custom job, custom measurements may be needed. Also, some wrap providers prefer that their customers bring their vehicles in beforehand so they can take photographs and do their designs from the pictures rather than a software template.

Time to do wraps vary widely from project to project and provider to provider. However, in general, vehicle wraps can be done in significantly less time than painting. Paint jobs normally require curing and drying time and much more preparation than a vehicle wrap. Often a full wrap applied by two of The Wrapman Certified Installers on a standard automobile can be done in as little as one day.

Yes. You can normally have the damaged pieces or panels of your vehicle wrap replaced after your vehicle is repaired. You normally do not need to redo the entire wrap if the damage is limited to certain areas of the vehicle. Talk to The Wrapman!

Hand washing is best. Try to avoid high pressure washes and be careful never to use an ice scraper on window graphics. There are specially designed products to clean and polish vinyl graphics, so ask your provider.

There are several things to consider: design time, materials (including vinyl and lamination), print, and installation. The size of the vehicle, amount of the vehicle to be wrapped and type of vehicle also play a part in cost. In general, vehicles with compound curves or indentions, like a VW Bug or PT Cruiser, are more difficult and more expensive to wrap than a box van with flat surfaces. Partial wraps are a great way to minimize cost as opposed to a full wrap. Cast (High Performance) Vinyl is more expensive than Calendered (Intermediate) Vinyl but lasts longer, so be sure to discuss the details with your supplier. We also recommend that you request a clear vinyl overlaminate. It costs a little more but is well worth it.

If you are using your vehicle wrap as signage, there is no more cost-effective advertising method available. It has been proven that the cost per impression (CPI) of vehicle wraps is less than other forms of advertising such as billboards, television, radio and yellow pages. If you are using your vehicle wrap to improve the appearance of your vehicle, digitally printed vehicle wraps simply can not be duplicated by more traditional methods like paint or airbrushing.

Yes, in most cases, if you follow guidelines from The Wrapman. There are many types of vinyls that can be used on vehicle wraps. Some vinyls are designed to be more easily removed than others. Please ask The Wrapman which vinyl is right for the vehicle you are wrapping. Also find out the maximum length of time the wrap may be on the car. In general, vinyl wraps tend to be harder to remove the longer they remain on the vehicle because the adhesives tend to build up a bond over time. In addition, if the original wrap is vinyl overlaminated, it is much easier to remove than an unlaminated wrap. Heat is often used to soften the vinyl and its adhesive in order to assist in the removal of the vinyl. There are special chemicals and tools available to assist in the removal of vinyl.

With vehicle wraps, a designer's creativity and design possibilities are limitless. For example, it is difficult to paint a photograph, but easy to digitally reproduce a photograph. Paint simply cannot duplicate what is possible with digitally printed vinyl vehicle wraps. Vinyl vehicle wraps are also a great way to protect your original paint underneath. Finally, it is much easier to change your vehicle wrap vinyl graphics than to change a paint job.

Since not all bubbles, wrinkles and seams can be avoided, a very "busy" design with lots of background shapes and colors can help hide these flaws. A camouflage background is one example of a "busy" design. It has great impact but it can still hide potential defects or damage to the vinyl wrap.