Wraps and longevity?
Discussion
I know very little about wraps.
If I was to get a car wrapped, how well (generally, and assuming I get it fitted by a good wrapper) does it stand up to lots of miles?
In my head, I worry that after a while it might "come loose" at the edges. Would it be a case that areas of high wear could be replaced as required? I wonder if a wrap would actually protect the paint itself?
I have no idea.
I think this depends on a lot of factors. What type of wrap is used, who installed it, how well it was installed, the climate you live in etc.
I dunno, rule of thumb, I’d say 3 years for a wrap?
They generally do protect the paint, but it’s also very easy for the installer to damage the paint when fitting - and you’ll never know until it’s removed
I dunno, rule of thumb, I’d say 3 years for a wrap?
They generally do protect the paint, but it’s also very easy for the installer to damage the paint when fitting - and you’ll never know until it’s removed
The lifespan of vinyls externally can be a very long time. Of course product dependent but they'll easily last 10 years + if they're not damaged.
I suppose the only thing that would significantly shorten the life span would be if they're not cared for properly, and things damage from road debris etc.
I suppose the only thing that would significantly shorten the life span would be if they're not cared for properly, and things damage from road debris etc.
Edited by r1ch on Thursday 24th February 08:29
I think 3 years is realistic but you might get some small problem areas within that time. I don't know how easy it is to patch up too in terms of finding the same vinyl in the same batch, for instance if you scuff your front bumper.
One thing I would say, I and many others would never buy a car with a wrap so factor in the expected time of ownership as well.
I have the lower splitter of my front bumper wrapped in black vinyl. It was done by the previous owner, poorly, so had lifted on the edges and due to the presumably low quality had a number of stone chips leaving the white paint behind visible.
I had it re-done recently and it looks a lot better. I estimate it to be at least 4-5 years old by the time I had it replaced.
This was it previously:
after:
One thing I would say, I and many others would never buy a car with a wrap so factor in the expected time of ownership as well.
I have the lower splitter of my front bumper wrapped in black vinyl. It was done by the previous owner, poorly, so had lifted on the edges and due to the presumably low quality had a number of stone chips leaving the white paint behind visible.
I had it re-done recently and it looks a lot better. I estimate it to be at least 4-5 years old by the time I had it replaced.
This was it previously:
after:
Sterillium said:
Chubbyross said:
I wouldn’t be worrying about the longevity of the wrap but how much paint will peel off with the wrap several years later.
Ah, I hadn't considered this...Sterillium said:
Chubbyross said:
I wouldn’t be worrying about the longevity of the wrap but how much paint will peel off with the wrap several years later.
Ah, I hadn't considered this...btdk5 said:
Sterillium said:
Chubbyross said:
I wouldn’t be worrying about the longevity of the wrap but how much paint will peel off with the wrap several years later.
Ah, I hadn't considered this...Chubbyross said:
btdk5 said:
Sterillium said:
Chubbyross said:
I wouldn’t be worrying about the longevity of the wrap but how much paint will peel off with the wrap several years later.
Ah, I hadn't considered this...It's also not uncommon to take a wrap off and find manmade damage to the paint. Scratches, chips and scuffs removing and refitting parts. Stanley knife scrapes have also been found.
I work in the industry and there's no way way removing a wrap should damage the paint. I'm basing this on factory paint and not some dodgy aftermarket spray can job. Good vinyls (Avery, 3M, Arlon, etc.) are 7 year vinyls but will typically last much longer. A lot of people unfortunately think that wrapping will cover up dodgy paintwork, but it won't. You need to prep the vehicle in a simlar way to painting if you want a good finish and rust is a complete no no.
8IKERDAVE said:
I work in the industry and there's no way way removing a wrap should damage the paint. I'm basing this on factory paint and not some dodgy aftermarket spray can job. Good vinyls (Avery, 3M, Arlon, etc.) are 7 year vinyls but will typically last much longer. A lot of people unfortunately think that wrapping will cover up dodgy paintwork, but it won't. You need to prep the vehicle in a simlar way to painting if you want a good finish and rust is a complete no no.
That's what I was led to believe, I've had an Avery Dennison Rising Sun wrap put on my car and I also paid the extra tp have a Waxisdead ceramic coating put on the wrap. It's about a year old now and I have to say I really like the fact you can just instantly wash the dirt off so easily. Okay I paid £4.5 K for it but I really like it and get compliments all the time, even hatchet faced youths with Corsa's give me the thumbs up and my passengers say on the motorway virtually every other car that passes takes a photo. If I still have the car in a few years time I'll probably have a different coloured wrap I think it's a great invention.
I just had to put a photo in, the multi coloured effect works so well with the design lines of the Lexus.
Edited by BIRMA on Friday 1st April 19:26
Sterillium said:
I would normally think that's not my cup of tea, but, it looks epic!
Thanks, the photo's really don't begin to do the wrap justice. On a sunny day it literally changes colour as you move around the car. Some angles it's green then merges into golden green, then turns gold then into a golden red then a deep red. The more sculpture lines of the car the more the colour phasing.Clever stuff,
I'm sure these wrap companies like to up-sell you a super dooper ceramic coating but I think they are worth it from the ease of cleaning factor alone. I bought a 5 litre container of QD by GTechinq and give the car a quick spray and wipe with it every 3 washes. Some of these ceramic coatings have a 9H hardness rating so they are supposed to be pretty tough.
Edited by BIRMA on Saturday 2nd April 09:48
Depends what you buy and have fitted. For example the latest Xpel comes with a 7 year warranty. Mine started to peel ever so slightly around a complicated area on the front bumper. The whole thing was redone at no cost and now looks brand new.
I trackday my car so fully expect a few digs here and there. On a road car , it should last alot longer. I think you get what you pay for.
I trackday my car so fully expect a few digs here and there. On a road car , it should last alot longer. I think you get what you pay for.
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