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Most car wraps last approximately five to seven years. After five to seven years most vinyl wraps will begin to crack, fade, and peel off the vehicle.
An extra two years makes a big difference in getting your money’s worth so how do you get your wrap to last closer to the seven year range compared to five? With proper preparation and a little maintenance.
There two major ways to make your wrap last longer, with proper preparation and proper care. Let’s learn the steps required to get the best life out of your wrap.
The more prepared your vehicle is for a vinyl wrap, the better the overall product will be. Before your vehicle is wrapped it needs to undergo a two-step cleaning process. Vehicle owners perform the first step of an initial cleaning before the wrap company follows up with a secondary cleaning.
To prepare your vehicle for the wrap process, give it a thorough wash with an appropriate cleaner and non-scratch sponge or towel. Your goal is to remove as much dirt, dust, grime, and grease as possible, including areas that won’t be wrapped.
After the initial clean your vehicle will be ready for a deep clean performed by the wrap company. Before applying the vinyl, a wrap technician will go over the entire vehicle with alcohol and other agents to create a cleaner surface then when your vehicle first rolled off the assembly line. Now your vehicle is primed and ready to wrap.
As the popularity of wraps rises, so do bad wrap installers. It doesn’t matter if you spend hours cleaning your vehicle, designing the perfect wrap, and put several hundred dollars on the table if your wrap company doesn’t know what they’re doing. Use a combination of online reviews, years in business, and personal references to choose a reputable wrap company that will give you a final product the way you imagined it.
Accidents happen. Other than leaving your wrapped vehicle in the garage, there’s not much you can do to prevent damage, but there are ways to ward it off. The best thing you can do for your vinyl wrap? Wash it.
Vinyl is not metal and can fade or become damaged when dirt, dust, and other residue is left sitting on it for long periods of time. The more you wash your wrapped vehicle, the fewer damage issues you’re likely to deal with. Only use vinyl-appropriate washing solutions and stay away from protectants like wax and polish that are meant for metal. Ideally you should wash your wrap weekly.
Low-quality vinyl is much more susceptible to peeling, cracking, and fading. Like anything else the higher quality materials installed, the better the wrap will perform. Look for vinyl companies with great reputations like 3M and Avery Denneson. If you’ve chosen a reputable wrap company, you don’t need to worry about high quality materials, but it never hurts to ask.
If you cleaned your vehicle well and chose a reputable wrap company you’ve completed the first obstacle. Now let’s learn how to get the longest life from your wrap starting with factors that affect wraps and what you can do to fight those factors.
Both extreme cold and heat will affect the lifetime of your wrap. Extreme heat can make your wrap malleable and susceptible to damage while extreme cold can crack it. Inevitably your wrap will be exposed to extreme weather, but your goal is to limit that exposure. There aren’t going to be a lot of people on the road during a deep freeze anyway.
You can’t see it, but the sun is bombarding everything it touches with damaging ultraviolet (UV) radiation. UV can damage your skin, fade your home’s exterior paint, and damage your wrap. Like high and low temperatures, you will never be able to avoid sun exposure but that’s where the next factor comes into play.
Because it needs to be driven to be seen your wrap will always be exposed to sun and extreme temperature but when it’s not on the road a wrapped vehicle should be hidden from environmental enemies. You don’t have to go crazy and store your wrapped vehicle in a climate-controlled cell – your garage will work fine.
A garage keeps the sun and its damaging UV rays from beating down on your vehicle and even an un-insulated garage will provide a more stable temperature compared to outside. If you’re not showing off your wrap, keep your vehicle in a garage if possible. A few hours in the shaded garage everyday compared to outside will provide you a much longer wrap life.
Unless your wrapped vehicle stays in storage forever it’s going to get grease, grime, and road gunk on it. While grease and dirt aren’t big problems on painted metal, they can cause wear down vinyl. The longer road gunk like oil splatters live on your wrap, the more likely you’ll see damage or premature aging.
To give your wrap the longest life you need to wash it frequently. Washing removes everyday grime and dirt to leave your wrap looking as fresh as the day it was put on. It’s recommended to hand wash your wrapped vehicle two to four times a month, depending on how much you drive and where.
Signs you need to replace your vinyl wrap include cracking, peeling, tears, and drastic color fade. Expansive cracking is your most obvious sign that your wrap has worn out its welcome.
Most vinyl wraps last five to seven years but you can get the most mileage out of your wrap with proper preparation and proper care. A wrap is easy and affordable so don’t wait longer while thousands of potential eyes stare past your boring work truck, start the process to get your vehicle wrapped today.
A vinyl wrap on a car typically serves its purpose well for quite a few years. This said, its lengthy survival depends greatly on professional installation, which ensures secure adhesion and reduces early peeling or wear. Even so, an unexpected fact is that in extreme hot or cold weather, jumps or drops in temperature can lead to the vinyl wrap wearing out faster. Now, let's look deeper into the factors that impact the lifespan of your car's vinyl wrap!
Factors Impacting Vinyl Wrap Lifespan
From the moment a vinyl wrap is applied to your car, it embarks on a journey through various weather and road conditions. Each factor mentioned here significantly impacts the duration of that journey.
Quality of Installation: The expertise of the installers plays a crucial role in determining how well the vinyl adheres to the car's surface. A professional installation not only ensures a precise fit but also addresses potential weak spots that could arise from DIY application, reducing the risk of premature peeling or wear.
Environmental Conditions: The car's vinyl wrap encounters resistance from everything nature throws at it. Harsh weather, such as extreme heat, cold, or excessive UV exposure, can degrade the wrap and cause it to lose color vibrancy over time. Road salt acts like tiny bristles, abrading and wearing down the wrap during winter driving. Furthermore, air pollution can gradually dull the once brilliant appearance of your wrap. Cars used frequently are at greater risk due to recurring exposure.
Maintenance: Proper care and regular cleaning are essential for maintaining the condition of the vinyl wrap. Regular cleaning eliminates grime, dust, and potential corrosive elements before they settle in and do lasting harm to the wrap.
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While the quality of installation sets the foundation for how well your vinyl wrap will hold up over time, continuous maintenance and environmental factors truly define its longevity.
In assessing a vinyl wrap's durability, we have considered key factors influencing its lifespan. Now let's explore another crucial aspect—what temperatures a vinyl wrap can withstand.
What Temperatures Can a Vinyl Wrap Withstand?
Vinyl wraps are engineered to endure a wide array of weather conditions, making them suitable for use in diverse geographical locations. From the freezing cold of winter to the scorching heat of summer, a high-quality vinyl wrap provides a protective shield for your vehicle's exterior.
First off, let's talk about the extreme cold. When temperatures plummet, especially below zero, many materials become brittle and susceptible to cracking. However, high-quality vinyl wraps can handle temperatures as low as -40°F without succumbing to damage. Even in the harshest winter environments, your vinyl-wrapped car will remain intact and visually appealing.
In contrast, high heat presents its own challenges. As asphalt roads absorb sunlight and raise local temperatures, cars parked outside can experience significant heat exposure. Quality vinyl wraps are formulated to endure temperatures up to 180°F without peeling or cracking. They can withstand the blistering heat of the summer months without losing their adhesion or integrity, ensuring your car looks sleek and stylish regardless of the temperature outside.
It's crucial to note that not all vinyl wraps are created equal in terms of temperature resistance. When choosing a vinyl wrap for your vehicle, it's essential to opt for high-quality materials specifically engineered to withstand extreme temperatures. Look for reputable brands with a proven track record of producing durable and reliable vinyl wraps.
Understanding the remarkable temperature range that high-quality vinyl wraps can withstand underscores their resilience and adaptability, no matter where you drive or park your vehicle.
By grasping the temperature extremes that top-tier vinyl wraps can endure, we unravel the multifaceted nature of these protective covers. Now, let's shift our focus to another environmental factor that can influence the longevity of vinyl wraps—UV rays.
Do UV Rays Affect the Life of Vinyl Wrap?
Just as prolonged exposure to the sun can damage our skin and cause colors to fade from fabrics, UV rays can significantly impact the longevity of vinyl wraps on vehicles.
UV radiation from the sun triggers a chemical reaction in adhesives and polymers, leading to a process called photodegradation. This process breaks down the adhesive molecular structure, potentially resulting in loss of adhesion and color fading, underscoring the importance of protecting your vinyl-wrapped vehicle from these detrimental effects.
UV rays tend to affect regions with intense sun exposure more severely, but it's essential for all car owners to be mindful of their potential effects.
Color fading is a common issue due to UV exposure. Over time, the vibrant colors of a vinyl wrap may start to fade because of prolonged exposure to UV rays, affecting both the aesthetic appeal and durability of the vehicle.
To counter the adverse effects of UV rays on vinyl wraps, it's essential to implement protective measures and ensure proper maintenance and care routines. Fortunately, various strategies and products are available to shield your vehicle's wrap from the harmful impacts of UV radiation.
Implementing regular use of protective sprays and waxes specifically designed for vinyl materials can significantly reduce the damaging effects of UV rays, preserving both the appearance and durability of the vinyl wrap. These products offer a practical solution for prolonging the life of vinyl wraps even in regions with intense sun exposure by providing an additional layer of safeguarding against color fading and adhesive degradation.
Understanding the impact of UV rays on vinyl wraps equips you with valuable knowledge that will influence your approach to caring for your car's exterior. In our next segment, we'll explore some additional factors influencing the lifespan of vinyl wraps on vehicles. Stay tuned!
Clear Protection Film for Vinyl Wraps
Applying a clear protective film over your vinyl wrap serves as the ultimate shield, ensuring that your car retains its glossy look and impeccable finish for an extended period. This protective film acts as an additional layer of defense against scratches, bird droppings, tree sap, road debris, and other environmental factors that can damage the vinyl wrap underneath.
The thin and transparent nature of this protective film allows it to form an imperceptible barrier while preserving the aesthetics of the underlying vinyl wrap. It provides peace of mind for car owners who want to maintain the pristine appearance of their vehicle without worrying about damage from everyday wear and tear.
Furthermore, the protective film is specifically designed to absorb and disperse UV radiation, preventing it from reaching the vinyl wrap and causing color fading or degradation. This is particularly crucial for vehicles that are frequently exposed to direct sunlight as part of their daily routine.
Providing comprehensive coverage, the protection film shields not only the body panels but also the bumpers, mirrors, and other vulnerable areas that are more susceptible to abrasions and impacts during regular usage.
One notable advantage is that this clear film is self-healing, meaning that any light scratches or blemishes it accumulates can be smoothed out simply through exposure to a bit of heat, effectively erasing signs of damage and ensuring a flawless finish for years to come.
Incorporating a clear protection film into your vinyl wrapping process is akin to providing your vehicle with an invisible suit of armor. It not only safeguards against external elements but also enhances the durability of the vinyl wrap, ensuring a long-lasting and lustrous appearance.
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