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Gone are the days when switching up your car color involved a major time and financial commitment comparable to getting a full back tattoo. The introduction of vinyl car wraps has made it easier and more economical than ever to give your ride a face-lift.
Change up your car’s appearance for the year, the month, or even the day, going with whatever look suits you. Once you’re over it, just peel the wrap off to reveal your car’s original paint job. Wrapping your ride opens up endless possibilities in the way of designs, colors, textures, patterns, logos, and more.
Here’s the kicker: Many people are intimidated when it comes to wrapping their own cars, thinking it’s a precision job best left to professionals. No worries. The Drive’s crack info team has laid out a guide explaining what vinyl automotive wrapping is, how much professionals charge, how much it costs to wrap a car yourself, and how to wrap a car.
Car Wrap Safety
Working on your car can be dangerous and messy, so here’s exactly what you’ll need to ensure you don’t die, get maimed, or lose a finger and that you keep your jeans, shirt, and skin spotless—hopefully.
- Safety glasses
- Mechanic’s coveralls (optional)
- Closed-toe shoes
- Protective gloves
Everything You’ll Need To Wrap Your Car
We’re not psychic, nor are we snooping through your toolbox or garage, so here’s exactly what you’ll need to get the job done.
Tool List
- A friend (sorry, introverts)
- Heat gun
- Felt-edge squeegee
- Breakaway knife with spare 30-degree blades
- Wrap stick
- Small magnets
- Soft magnetic tape measure
- PTFE-coated back cutter
- Spray bottle
- Microfiber towels
- Vinyl-wrapping lintless gloves
- Knifeless tape
- Compressor (optional)
- Infrared thermometer (optional)
Many of the items above can be purchased together in pre-packaged car-wrap kits.
Parts List
- Car wash materials
- Car wax remover (if necessary)
- Clay bar kit
- Isopropyl alcohol
- Vinyl wrap
Organizing your tools and gear so everything is easily reachable will save precious minutes performing this job. You’ll also need a flat workspace, such as a garage floor, driveway, or street parking that’s also well ventilated. Check your local laws to make sure you’re not violating any codes when using the street because we aren’t getting your ride out of the clink.
Here’s How To Wrap Your Car
Cleaning and Surface Prep
- Thoroughly wash the vehicle, including all corners, crevices, creases, and edges. Be sure to open the trunk, doors, and hood to clean hidden areas. Use The Drive’s guide for how to wash a car.
- If you wax your vehicle, remove the wax with wax cleaner.
- Clay bar the vehicle. Use The Drive’s guide for how to clay bar a car.
- As a final measure, clean the vehicle with an isopropyl alcohol mixture in a spray bottle. Basically, you want your car to be free from any dirt, dust, debris, cat hair, and so on that may screw up the placement of your car wrap.
- Once everything is dry, it’s best to apply the vinyl as soon as possible to avoid future contamination.
Apply the Wrap
Grab a buddy, and let’s get to it.
- Select a starting point. For beginners, we recommend starting on easier flat surfaces such as the doors, hood, and trunk lid and advancing to the most difficult areas.
- Remove any interfering parts such as door handles, logos, grilles, grommets, plastic inlets or scoops, trim, or other pieces that will get in the way.
- Use the tape measure to approximate the amount of vinyl needed. As a precaution for mismeasuring or accidents, add about six inches horizontally and vertically.
- Without placing the vinyl on any potentially contaminated surfaces, cut the material.
- With a friend, remove the backing of the vinyl and drape the vinyl across the surface. The vinyl is specially formulated to only adhere under certain levels of heat and pressure so that the vinyl can be moved around the paneling for precise placement. Over lightly curved surfaces, drape the vinyl with some tension.
- Pick a center point and begin applying pressure to the vinyl with the felt-edged squeegee. Push outward to the edges of the vinyl to eliminate any air bubbles.
Cuts and Edges
- For long straight cuts, use knifeless tape.
- For edges or the gaps between two panels, use the heat gun to heat the area and use lintless gloves to slowly press down the center of the line. Then, carefully cut down the center of the opening. Use the heat gun to slightly heat the area again and use the squeegee and wrap stick to fold the edges in and under. Typically, folds require 2-3 millimeters of material.
- Once all your vinyl is in position, with corners and edges folded in, use the heat gun to go over the surface of the vehicle. As you heat the surface, use a lintless glove to once again press down over the surface and ensure adhesion. This will seal the wrap in place.
- Most manufacturers have specific temperature guidelines for heating and post heating. Because many of these wraps have “memory” to help prevent stretching, they need to reach certain temperatures to “forget” their original positions. If possible, use an infrared thermometer to check your heating procedures as you go.
Curves and Wrinkles
- On curved surfaces, place the vinyl with tension before application.
- Once you start to apply, some wrinkles will inevitably appear. When this happens, use the heat gun to soften and conform the vinyl to the surface.
- If you run into a group or cluster of wrinkles, do not try to flatten with squeegees. With two hands, grip the end of the vinyl and slightly pull up and out until the vinyl is flat. Maintain the tension, use the heat gun to flatten any wrinkles, and drape the vinyl over the surface with tension.
Bubbles
- Bubbles may appear due to gap tension, improperly cleaned surfaces, poor squeegeeing, or expansion. You will find bubbles during the application process, but they might pop up after application as well.
- If found during the application process, lift the vinyl up and try again, if possible. If not, use the tiniest needle you can find, poke a small hole, and use lintless gloves to push the air out with your finger.
- You might need to use the heat gun to remove any wrinkles that formed because of the bubble.
Detailing and Post Heating
- Finishing, detailing, and post heating the car is key to styling a new wrap. Without proper attention to detail and correct adhesion, the wrap will look unprofessional, wrinkled, or creased. If the edges aren’t sealed correctly, they could lift up and allow dirt, air, and water underneath the vinyl and cause it to fail. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s directions for post heating to the letter.
What Is a Vinyl Car Wrap?
Vinyl car wraps have been around for years, as far back as the 1950s. Full vinyl vehicle wraps made their grand entrance into the automotive world in Germany in 1993 as a way for advertisers to showcase mobile billboards. Cast vinyl car wraps are the most popular types, and you can get cut graphics, half wraps, or full vehicle wraps. These wraps are large sheets of pressure sensitive vinyl film that adheres to your vehicle without peeling, chipping, or fading. The newest and most innovative car wraps look so much like real paint that most of your buddies would never guess you paid a fraction of the price for what is essentially a temporary tattoo for your car. You get all the “cool kid” points without the lifetime commitment. And, when you get sick of it, it’s easy to remove or swap out.
How Much Does Wrapping Your Car Cost?
It varies, but a good wrap can cost you anywhere between $3,000 and $15,000. That’s a big span, but it’ll depend on material, intricacy, and the car in question.
Video
This in-depth tutorial will take you through proper vinyl car-wrap installation from start to finish. It also includes some nice tips and tricks to make the process even and your finished product even smoother.
