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Do Vehicle Wraps Damage Your Car?

Do Vehicle Wraps Damage Your Car?

Vehicle wraps are becoming an increasingly popular trend when customizing vehicles. Wrapping a car gives it a new look without committing to permanent or long-term changes. However, one primary concern that most people have is the possibility of damaging the vehicle.

A properly installed car wrap will not result in damage to the vehicle under normal conditions. Cases where damage occurs are rare and are often a result of poor paint quality. 

With that in mind, let’s take a deeper look at some of the additional things that you’ll want to consider before wrapping your vehicle, including if it affects the car’s warranty!

Damage Considerations for Wrapping Your Vehicle

It’s worth noting that most vehicle wrap manufacturers test the products on new vehicles. If the car gets repainted, opt for high-quality paint applied only by a professional car painter.

Before wrapping, note the current condition of the paint to prepare for any future damages. Any rust and scraps on the paint will cause some damage during removal.

Suppose the vehicle’s paint quality is low, there are higher chances of damage when installing or removing a wrap. If the paint adheres to the surface as it should, there will be no damages. 

The surface bond is easily tested by applying tension to see if it lifts the paint.

Will a Vehicle Wrap Damage Your Paint?

Vinyl wraps cause no damage to the vehicle’s paint.

Cases where damages occur are rare and are often a result of poor paint quality. The adhesive is vital to hold the wrap in place but has minimal effect on the paint underneath.

When applied and removed the right way and within the recommended period, most wraps leave no residue on the paint and don’t cause any peeling.

It’s essential to select the suitable film for the vehicle’s surface and produce any print properly. The vehicle can have a single vinyl layer or multiple layers with different designs.

The surface should also be well prepared, and the installation techniques should be tested and proven to be effective.

Does Wrapping a Car Void the Warranty?

No, wrapping a vehicle doesn’t void the warranty.

This is mainly because it’s possible to remove the entire wrap without damaging the paint beneath. Wrapping also doesn’t affect the terms of a lease agreement.

However, any damages that occur during installation are not covered. For instance, if wrongly installed, the wrap leaves rough patches on the edges of curves and panels. 

What Are Vehicle Wraps Made From?

Vehicle wraps are also known as vinyl wraps.

Vinyl is the bonding material between the paint surface and the wrap. It’s in the form of an adhesive compound that gets activated using a water-based solution.

By design, vinyl wraps should be applied over a bare metallic surface or a clean coat of paint.

Modern wraps use a material made using Poly Vinyl Chloride (PVC). Adding plasticizers during the production process makes the material flexible. The aesthetic qualities or graphics come from pigments added to the vinyl.

Other ingredients include UV absorbers and heat stabilizers to protect the paint surface beneath. When applied, the wrap becomes resistant to extreme weather conditions.

Types of Vehicle Wraps

Vinyl wraps are available in two main types: calendared and cast.

Cast

The majority of vehicle wraps are cast vinyl. They come in the form of a thin film available in different colors. The film takes the shape of the vehicle and can be trimmed to cover specific areas. 

Professional installation involves running a blade and heat over the wrap’s surface. This process ensures that the wrap adheres to the surface it’s applied to.

Cast vinyl wraps have more flexibility and are resistant to shrinkage.

Calendared

Calendared wraps are not as popular as cast wraps since they are thicker.

Despite the thickness providing better protection, it prevents the wraps from conforming to corners and edges. 

Calendared wraps are best used only for specific purposes.

What Are Some of the Benefits of Vehicle Wraps?

#1 Paint Protection

Wraps offer a layer of protection for the paint, minimizing the effects of sun damage and small-sized debris. Some vehicle owners apply wraps to hide paint damages.

If this is the case, keep in mind that the wrap’s adhesiveness is only as good as the smooth surface it’s laid on.

Any imperfections beneath the wrap will appear on the surface.

#2 Advertisement Purposes

Vehicle wraps are an excellent way for businesses of any size to advertise their brands and products or services.

There are no restrictions on location, and the wraps are suitable for all vehicle sizes.

#3 Motorsports

Vinyl wraps are an affordable way of creating a customized look for race or rally cars.

Sponsor logos have a beautiful, quality display, and the vehicles get extra protection for off-road races.

How Much Does a Car Wrap Cost?

The cost of vehicle wraps varies depending on the size of the car, the style of the wrap, and the complexity of the installation of the wrap. The larger the vehicle, the higher the cost of materials and labor. 

Full wraps for small cars cost about $2,000, while partial wraps cost lower based on the parts getting wrapped. Full wraps for larger vehicles are more expensive, costing up to $5,000.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Long Will a Vehicle Wrap Last?

When well maintained, a wrap can go up to five years on average. Unnecessary exposure to the elements reduces the lifespan and makes it harder to remove the wrap.

Can You Remove A Car Wrap?

Yes, when professionally done, removing a wrap is easy. The removal process involves applying some heat and pulling back the wrap at an angle of about 45 degrees.

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Zach Reed

Hi, I'm the founder of VehicleAnswers.com! Having owned a wide variety of vehicles in my life, I was astounded at how hard it can be to find answers to common automotive questions. Rather than sit idly, I decided to create this website to help others!