Uncovering the Truth About Vehicle Wraps: Fact vs. Fiction

Wrapped vehicles often seem like mythical creatures, appearing on the road just long enough to get a good look at a fun design or message during an otherwise boring commute. Like a much larger version of a custom license plate, vehicle wraps excite onlookers and bring attention to the person or brand behind the design.

If you’ve ever seen a wrapped vehicle, you’ll have felt that swell of momentary admiration generally followed by an assortment of misconstrued ideas popularly held about vehicle wraps and how they come to be. It’s time to separate fact from fiction.

1. Vehicle wraps are only for the super wealthy.

Fiction!

Vehicle wraps aren’t as expensive as you might think. Full body wraps with intricate designs are the most expensive, while partial body wraps are the cheapest. Small decals are even less. By comparison, it may cost more to paint your car a custom color than to wrap it. Vehicle graphics reach more consumers at a lower cost per thousand than all other forms of outdoor advertising.

Vehicle wraps are one of the best ways to advertise your brand and appear professional as a company. Marketing is never free, so it is worth making sure your company is investing in effective methods. What is better than a moving billboard?

2. Vehicle wraps wear out in one to two years.

Fiction!

The average lifespan of a custom vehicle wrap lies somewhere between three and seven years. The quality of the vinyl used, where the car is stored, and the amount of pollution in the air can affect how long a vehicle wrap lasts. If you properly care for your vehicle wrap, it can last for more than ten years.

3. Vehicle wraps do not damage the underlying paint.

Fact!

Fear of damaging a vehicle’s paint job is one of the most common concerns customers have when considering wrapping their car or fleet. If the wrap is applied and removed by professionals and properly maintained during use, the vehicles paint can remain unscratched and maintains it’s original sheen. In fact, wrapping your vehicle can protect your vehicle’s paint job from damage. The rumor of vehicle wraps negatively affecting car paint stems from amateurs attempting to install their own wraps, which can lead to problems.

4. Anyone can install their own vehicle wraps.

Fiction!

To be fair, anyone can wrap their own vehicle, but the end product will reflect the skill and experience of the installer. DIYers may end up with a wrap that is uneven, bubbly, and potentially harmful to the vehicle’s paint. YouTube might make an argument for wrapping your own vehicle with tutorials. Like a sped-up cooking tutorial, the process is often simplified and made to hide the intricacies only professionals with specific equipment can consistently achieve.

5. Removing a vehicle wrap is easy.

Fact!

When the time comes to replace or remove a vehicle’s wrap, simply bring your vehicle to a vehicle graphics company. Some people hesitate to wrap their leased vehicles since it appears like a permanent alteration. This is not the case. While wraps can last between three and seven years, there is no reason they have to stay on the car that long. Wraps can be removed whenever you feel the timing is right.

6. Sunlight quickly fades vehicle wraps.

Fiction!

While direct exposure to sunlight can cause vehicle wraps to fade, it doesn’t happen very quickly. Even if you store the wrapped vehicle outside, it should keep its original bright design for at least three years. However, parking in a garage or covered carport will help protect your wrap as well as your vehicle.

You can also add wrapping paint protection, a thin layer of plastic that protects the surface beneath. Think of it as laminating your vehicle wrap. With this extra protection and a little extra shade, vehicle wraps can last longer than a decade.

7. Wrapping your vehicle’s windows is safe.

Fact!

Perforated window graphics look like a graphic from the outside, but looks like a transparent window from the inside. This incredible technology allows you to cover your entire vehicle so that images and advertisements don’t have to be designed around the windows. These one-way graphics are only appropriate for side and back windows, however. Laws generally outlaw covering the front windshield so the driver can be seen by bicyclists, pedestrians, and other drivers.

8. Wrapping an entire fleet takes months.

Fiction!

The time it takes to wrap a vehicle depends on whether it is a full-body or partial wrap and the size of the vehicle. Truck fleet graphics located on the flat side panels of the truck are relatively quick to install.

9. Wrapping your vehicle is a great idea.

Fact!

There are few advertising options that reach a larger audience than an eye-catching vehicle wrap. Wrapping your company vehicles will help build your brand reputation and establish brand consistency. Wraps last long enough to make the impact your business needs in order to stand out from the crowd. So what are you waiting for?