how long does a vinyl wrap last

How Long Does a Vinyl Wrap Last – Latest Guide 2024

When you are short on time and want to change your car’s look, then you should get the wrap paint job instead of the paint job. Because wrapping is a less time taking process, it will also fulfill your requirement. Now the question is, How Long Does a Vinyl Wrap Last?”.

So, the durability of the vinyl totally depends on the quality of the material you are going to use on your vehicle. If you use the high-quality wrap, then it will stay on your car for 7 to 8 years, but the low-quality vinyl will scratch or peel off after 5 years.

To get more about “How Long Do Vehicle Wraps Last?” and “How to Make Wrap Last Longer?” you will need to have a look at the entire article:

How to Make Wrap Last Longer?

If you want the vinyl to stay longer on your vehicle, then you should prepare your vehicle to wrap properly by following each step and also taking good care of it. Let’s Discuss it in detail:

Step 1: Prepare the Vehicle

To wrap your car, you should get the service from a professional because the DIY method will be a little risky. The technician will properly wash or clean your vehicle to put on the wrap properly, and he will also use quality materials such as residue cleaner and alcohol to provide you with the required result.

If you have an expensive car, then it will be best for you to ask your friends or search online for the top-reviewed wrapper to get the needed result because the local one or non-experienced technician will not go according to your expectations.

Prepare the vehicle
Prepare the vehicle

After wrapping, wash your car twice a week to remove the dust from it; otherwise, the particles will get stubborn and will ruin the look of your wrapped car.

And one thing, if you don’t want to hurt the wrap of the vehicle, then you should use your hands or a soft sponge to wipe out the dust instead of using hard brushes or inappropriate chemicals.

Step 2: Look After the Wrapped Vehicle

In order to keep the wrap, the same as new, you should select that vinyl that will be able to survive in every climate because extreme cold weather or extremely hot weather will crack or fade your low-quality wrap.

To protect it from sun or snow, you should always park it under a shady garage and also cover it with the car body covers as sun and UV rays can affect the car wrap’s lifespan.

Look After the Wrapped Vehicle
Look After the Wrapped Vehicle

Can I Wash My Car with Pressured Water After a Wrap Job?

In my experience, Without knowing the ideal temperature and the suitable pressure of water, you should not wash your wrapped vehicle by yourself because by doing this, the color of the wrap will get faded, and also it will get scratched or peeled off.

If you want to wash your car with pressured water without hurting the wrap, then you should follow the below-mentioned instructions carefully:

  • Set the temperature of the water to less than 180 degrees.
  • The pressure of water should be around 800 to 2000 pounds per square inch.
  • Keep the nozzle of spray 12 to 15 inches away from the car.
  • Don’t try to use turbo nozzles.
  • Sweeping spray should be used at a 45° angle.
  • If the wrap is peeled off or scratchy, then avoid spraying pressured water there.

When to Replace a Vinyl Wrap?

There are a lot of circumstances that will occur in the future when you will need to replace the vinyl wrap. Let’s talk about them in detail:

1) Damaged Wrap

When you notice that the wrap is chipping, scratching, color fading, or peeling off, then you should remove it immediately because it can damage the base paint of your vehicle.

Damaged Wrap
Damaged Wrap

2) Time to Sale:

If you have decided to sell your car, then the first thing you will need to do is remove the wrap from the vehicle and show the real color or form of the vehicle to the buyer.

3) Change the Design:

In case you get bored with the design of the wrap, then you can replace it with the new one to give your car a new appearance.

4) Brand Changing:

Some companies change their brand logo and color from time to time to attract the user, and then they will definitely replace the old wrap from the vehicle with a new logo-designed wrap.

5) Advertise the New Product:

Car wrapping is the best and smart strategy to advertise your product, so when you want to grab the attention of consumers to use your new product, then you will put off the previous vinyl and will apply the new product’s wrap on the car.

How to Remove the Wrap from the Car?

If you want to remove the wrap from the car without hurting the real paint of the car and which material will be used in this process, then you should have a look at the below discussed steps:

Gather the Essential Tools:

The main task is to gather all the essential tools, such as:

  • Spray Can: Fill it with the remover and then spray it on where you find the residues of glue.
  • Bench Scrapper: This will be helpful to scratch the wrap from the surface without damaging the car’s original shape, but if you use the scrapper, which is made of metal, then it will scratch the original paint of the car.
  • Glue Remover: Purchase the remover, which is specifically manufactured for removing the glue of wrap from the vehicles.
  • Heat Gun or Hair Dryer: it will lose the bond of the glue, so you will easily remove the vinyl.
  • Alcohol: Alcohol will be used after removing the vinyl to clean the surface properly.
  • Towel or Cloth: Use a smooth towel or a piece of cloth.
Gather the Essential Tools
Gather the Essential Tools

Quick Tips to Remove the Wrap:

Tip 1: Peeling Off the Wrap

Peel off the wrap from the edges with the help of a bench scrapper, and you can also use your fingernail to scratch it.

Tip 2: Give Heat and Putt Off the Wrap

When you see the wrap hardly stick to the surface, then give it heat to melt the glue. By doing this, it will be easy to peel off the wrap at 20 degrees angle and repeat the process again when the glue becomes harder again.

One thing you should keep in your mind is to set the accurate heat, which is not possible by yourself, and if you use excess heat, then it will damage the wrap or the paint of the car. So, it is recommended to use a pedometer that will tell you whether the heat is ideal or not.

Tip 3: Use The Remover

After removing the wrap, there will be residues of the glue on the surface. Then use a detergent or remover on it to get rid of it and wash it with clean water.

Tip 4: Clean with Cloth

Now use a towel or clean cloth to wipe the surface to dry it, and make sure you are using the glass cleaner to remove the glue from the windows.

Does Wrapping a Car Damage the Paint?

Some people think the wrapping will damage the paint, which is a totally wrong concept because wrapping always protects the real paint of the vehicle. And when you remove the car sticker wrap, you will get your car back in its original state.

What are the Damaged Car Wrap Problems and Difficulties?

If you are wrapping a car that is dented, repainted, or scratchy, then the wrap will not stick on the car properly, and also you will not get the required finishing. So, it will be best to cure the dents and scratches first, and I shouldn’t waste our time applying the vinyl on the repainted car.

What Will be the Vinyl Roof Wrap Cost?

The cost of sticker wraps for cars depends on the option you will choose for your vehicle. Here are 3 main types of vinyl, and their cost is discussed below:

1) Carbon Wrap

It is not possible for everyone to install carbon fiber on the vehicle because it will be a costly process. So, it will be the best option for you to apply carbon vinyl roof wrap on your vehicle instead of installing carbon parts. It will provide you with the needed look, and Its cost will be about 4$ to 6$ per square foot.

carbon wrap
carbon wrap

2) Gloss Wrap

These wraps are the perfect choice for those who want to give their car a glossy or shiny look. There are variables of gloss finished wrap available from online sources or in the market, so it will be totally your choice to choose your favorite one. You will spend around 2$ to 4$ per Sq. Ft.

Gloss wrap
Gloss wrap

3) Matte Wrap

Matte wraps give a decent and sophisticated look to your vehicle, and their cost will be 2$ to 3$ per square foot.

Matte Wrap
Matte Wrap

How to Do Saran Wrapping a Car?

If you are a prankster and want to irritate your buddy by doing the saran wrapping on his car, then scroll down to know each step:

Essential Tools:

First, you will need to purchase the essential tools, such as partners who will help you, sticky notes, plastic wrap, and scissors or knives to continue the procedure.

Steps:

  • To wrap a small-sized car, you will need 350 to 550 sq. Ft plastic wrap.
  • When you see no one is watching you, then start the saran wrapping process.
  • Roll the plastic wrap from the roof to under the car, then front side to back side, and repeat the process until the full car is covered by it.
  • It depends on you how many layers you want to put on the car.
  • On the end of the plastic wrap, you should apply a sticky note to help your friend to find an edge.
  • If you want to see how your friend will react after seeing this and want to capture the moment, then you must shoot a video of him.

What Is the Difference Between Car Wrap and Paint Job?

Wrap JobPaint Job
Take little time to complete.Time taking process.
Wrap jobs can be done at an affordable price.It is an expensive job.
Vinyl is more durable.Paint is also durable.
It doesn’t tear off quickly.It gets faded or scratched easily.
Car Wrap Vs Paint Job

So, after reading the comparison, it is clear that the wrap job is affordable and requires less time taking procedure than a paint job.

Final Verdicts:

As you got the answer to “How Long Do Wraps Last?” and “How Long Do Vehicles Wrap Last?” If you installed the wrap from a top-reviewed technician and then took good care of your wrapped car, then it will stay on the vehicle for about 7 to 10 years.

And if you get the wrap job from the local auto mechanic, then he will surely use low-quality material, and that’s why the wrap will fade or peel off after 3 to 4 years.

It is also recommended to choose the wrap according to the climate and don’t park your wrapped vehicle under the sun or snow. By doing this, you will extend the life of the vinyl.

How Long Does a Vinyl Wrap Last

How Long Does a Vinyl Wrap Last? When To Replace A Vinyl Wrap? FAQs

This vivid car wrap provides rainbow colors to your car, and the best part about it is that it changes color in different lights.

If you want to wrap your hood and want to hire a professional for this job, then approximately you will pay 350$ for it.

The cost of tundra wraps depends on the quality of the material and the type of wrap. So, if you are choosing the high-quality material and unique wrap for your vehicle, then the cost will be about 6000$ to 9000$.

Yes, you can wrap your car easily by following each and every step of the DIY method, and its overall cost will be less than getting a wrap job from a professional.

When it comes to durability then, wrapping will be best for you because it stays on the vehicle for a longer period than paint.