What is a vehicle wrap?

A vehicle wrap is a large vinyl graphic that can be applied to all or part of a car, van or truck cab – like a giant sticker. It’s a great way to advertise your services and get your brand name in front of a large audience – everyone you drive past in your customised vehicle! We can also change the colour of your whole van, a much cheaper and more flexible alternative to a re-spray.

What is a partial wrap?

You may just want to cover the front or back half of your vehicle, or the bonnet, doors or roof. This is what we refer to as partial wrapping. It obviously costs a bit less than a full wrap and can still have a great impact.

What is it made of?

Vehicle wraps are made of sticky-backed vinyl on which your custom-designed graphics are digitally printed. If windows are being covered with the wrap (other than the side windows or wind screen!), a perforated film is used so that you can see out from the inside.

How is it applied?

The key to a successful vehicle wrap is preparation, so the first step is to clean the vehicle and remove any dust or grease that could prevent the wrap from sticking properly. Once this is done, the self-adhesive vinyl is applied one panel at a time. Heating is often used to manipulate the vinyl and stretch it across rounded areas. A nylon blade is used to smooth out wrinkles and bubbles, and specialist knives ensure all edges are finished neatly, especially the fiddly bits around lights and door handles.

Does it damage the paintwork?

No, as long as your vehicle doesn’t have any chipping paint before the wrap is applied, it will not damage the paintwork. In fact, the vinyl acts as a protective layer, shielding your car, van or truck from the elements.

How long does vehicle wrap last?

You can expect most vehicle wraps to last 3-5 years, depending on how the vehicle is used and the quality of the aftercare. Understandably, a building contractor’s truck spending every day on muddy construction sites will have a shorter life span than that of a plumber’s van that sticks to the motorway.

Is vehicle wrap removable?

Yes, vehicle wraps can be easily removed without damaging your vehicle. You can do this yourself whenever you want to update your mobile advertisement.

How do you wash a wrapped vehicle?

It is not recommended to take your wrapped vehicle through an automated carwash as the brush bristles can damage the vinyl and lift the edges. Hand washing with a soft sponge or cloth is much less abrasive and will help make your vehicle graphics last longer. You may also use a high quality wax for polishing, but we suggest you test this on a small patch of the wrap first before applying to the whole vehicle.

Well, looks like that’s a wrap (sorry, couldn’t resist)! If we’ve missed anything you’d like to know about vehicle wrapping, please drop us a line in the comments below and we’ll be happy to help. You can also give us a call for a free quote, we look forward to hearing from you!