Vinyl car wraps have been around for many years now. They have become the premier choice of people who would like an alternative to painting. Car wraps are utilized by businesses and individuals to completely separate their vehicles from the standard look. The design and installation of these wraps can be quick and easy.

If you are having an entire car or truck wrapped, professional installation is preferable. This is a labor-intensive process and if not performed right could lead to failure of the vinyl wrap. The installers will start by preparing the surface through the use of a hand wash with soap and water. Next, they will thoroughly wipe down all surfaces with a solvent cleaner to remove wax, grease, and tar. Once the surface is prepared the installers will measure the areas of the car and transfer those to the vinyl. The vinyl will then be cut out to fit those specific sections while leaving a small amount of overhang. Vinyl wrap is applied starting at one edge and slowly laying the vinyl down while working out any wrinkles and bubbles by hand. Once the wrap is down the installer will go back over with a plastic squeegee. They start in the center and squeegee out towards the edges to work out any remaining air bubbles.

Businesses have long used vinyl car wrap to convey their advertising messages on their vehicles. These businesses have seen the value of having mobile billboards continuously traveling throughout the areas in which they conduct business. Car wraps are a great way to get the attention of surrounding motorists and pedestrians. What better way to let people know you are a plumber than to show them a picture of a homeowner standing in 6 inches of water and your instructions on how to get in touch with you for their plumbing needs. Or, perhaps you are a real estate agent. Can you imagine the attention your car would draw if it were covered in beautiful homes and sold signs?

In recent years, vinyl car wrapping has become increasingly popular with individuals. Like businesses, individuals see car wraps as a great alternative to having expensive paint work done. People have their cars covered in a variety of designs and also in plain solid colors. You can basically have anything your imagination can dream of transferred to the car wrap. This process gives you the flexibility to completely change the look of your vehicle every few years if you so choose.

Many people think of “get paid to drive” when they hear car wrap. In recent years there have been many people and companies using the car wrap industry as a front for scams. Many of these companies offer to sell you a list of companies that will wrap your car in advertising and pay you to drive it. There are reputable advertising companies that use car wraps as a means of advertising for their business clients. However, these companies are looking for very specific drivers that cover many miles in specific areas. These companies generally pay anywhere from $200-$400 a month.

Car wraps can be a great way for you to distinguish your business from the competition, or as an individual, you can customize your vehicle in an uncommon manner. Vinyl car wrap allows you to change your looks without damaging the original finish of your vehicle. The cost of car wraps can vary greatly depending on where you live. As a rule of thumb you can expect to pay anywhere from $2000-$4000 to have your car wrapped.

Installing vinyl car wrap can be a tricky proposition. This type of installation is normally performed by professional installers. However, that is not to say that it cannot be accomplished by a do it yourselfer. Wrapping an entire car should probably be reserved for the professionals; however, wrapping a hood or a quarter panel is something that is quite doable. If you are going to attempt your own installation there are some very important steps that need to be followed.

One of the most important steps in wrapping a car is the surface preparation. Start by hand washing the car with soap and water. Do not go to the car wash and power wash the vehicle. Car washes will still leave a film and small dirt particles. A good old-fashioned hand washing will eliminate this. Next, wipe down the vehicle with a solution of 50% water and 50% rubbing alcohol. This will help strip away any wax residue and grease. There are also specialty products that can be purchased at automotive stores for this purpose such as Prep-Sol. Also, applying the wrap should be done indoors if possible. This will limit a wind gusts and dirt particles from inhibiting your installation. Finally, the ideal temperature to apply the wrap should be between 60 and 90°.

Next, you will need to trim your vinyl wrap to fit this section of car you were working on. You can do this with ordinary scissors. Measure the section of the car you are working with and transfer those measurements to the piece of vinyl. Trim the outline of that section to make the vinyl easier to work with. It is important to remember to trim the piece with some overhang remaining. This overhang will be trimmed later when working around the edges.

Now you are ready to place the vinyl on the car. Remove the backing carefully and do not allow the wrap to stick to itself. If you are doing a large section, like a hood, you may need someone to help you. Line the wrap up with where you want it to go. Start at a corner and began applying the wrap slowly. As you lay the wrap down you will use your hand to rub back and forth across the wrap to help eliminate air bubbles and wrinkles.

After you have applied the entire section, it is time for the final touches. Even with your best effort there will probably be some small air bubbles still trapped in the vinyl. These are eliminated by using a plastic squeegee. Start the middle of the vinyl with the squeegee and work out towards the edges. This will work any air bubbles out of the vinyl. If there happened to be any bubbles still remaining use the tip of a razor blade to carefully puncture the bubble. Use only the tiniest hole you can. Finally, simply squeegee the air towards the middle of the bubble where you created the whole.

The process is not all that difficult. However, it does take time and patience. It would be wise to start with an inconspicuous section for your first application. Remember not to apply to much pressure with the squeegee because it could tear the vinyl.