Sarasota Wraps are an alternative to a quality paint job that can change the look of your vehicle quickly and easily. They can be used for self-expression or advertising, and they protect the original finish when it’s time to sell.
Before applying a wrap, you should know a few things about the process.
Car wrapping is a form of body modification that can cover and protect your vehicle while giving it a unique look. Wraps are essentially an adhesive vinyl that can be applied to your vehicle, covering its paint and providing a smooth surface for graphics or designs. Wraps are available in a variety of finishes and textures, from glossy or matte to a textured carbon fiber. They can also be printed with virtually any pattern or design, including full-color photos and business logos. Wraps are easily removable and do not damage the car’s original paint, allowing you to return your ride to its original factory condition.
Wraps can add value to your vehicle by raising its trade-in or resale value. They can also be an effective marketing tool for businesses and organizations, especially if the vehicle is used to transport clients or customers. Wraps can be installed quickly and for less money than a new paint job. They’re also a good option for older vehicles that have lost some of their luster, or if your company leases a fleet of cars and you want to give each one a consistent look.
Depending on the style, material and size of your car, a wrap can cost from $1000-$5000. It is important to use a highly-rated installer with experience in your specific type of vehicle and the type of wrap you are interested in.
A professional shop will thoroughly clean your car before starting work. They may need to dismantle the side mirrors, door handles and sometimes the grille and headlights for proper application. They’ll also need to lay the vinyl out over large sections of the vehicle, so accurate measurements are essential. Make sure to write down the measurements and draw a diagram of each area you plan on wrapping. This will help avoid overlapping or cutting too much vinyl, which can be very expensive.
Once the wrap is in place, it should be kept out of direct sunlight to prolong its lifespan. It should also be garaged or covered with a high-quality car cover when not in use. If you park your vehicle outdoors, consider investing in a ceramic-coated wrap to help protect the vinyl from harsh weather elements.
Designing a Wrap
Car wrap designs are a great opportunity to be bold and eye-catching. But remember, form must always follow function – a vehicle wrap is a moving billboard that needs to communicate the message in a very short space of time (especially at 60mph).
When designing your vehicle wrap, choose colors, images and graphics that are clear and easy to read. Fonts play an important role in the legibility of a design and should be high-resolution to avoid any distortion when printed. Contrast is also a key element for making text and graphics stand out. Avoid using pastels or blending tones, as they tend to wash out in daylight and are difficult to see on a moving vehicle.
It is also crucial to test your design on the vehicle before sending it to print or bringing it to a wrap shop for installation. The shape and size of the vehicle can change the way your design looks, so make sure to examine it from all angles to ensure that it will look aesthetically pleasing once the wrap is applied.
Once you have a design in mind, work with the wrap provider to get an idea of how much it will cost. This will depend on the design’s complexity and the amount of coverage required. The provider may also be able to recommend other options for your vehicle type, such as a partial or full wrap.
A well-designed vehicle wrap will showcase your brand and help you to reach a wider audience. It should include your business name, logo, contact information, website, tagline and any supporting graphics. You should focus on the company name first, as this will be the main message that people remember, and then add the other information if necessary.
A professional wrap installer can complete a wrap in 2-3 days, but for those who want to do it themselves, an IR thermometer will be needed to prevent the vinyl from overheating during the installation process. It’s also a good idea to take the car for a test drive once the wrap is installed to ensure that it fits correctly and looks as intended.
Wrap Installation
A professional installer will take a few days to work on a car wrap. This is because a good wrap requires meticulous preparation and cleaning of the vehicle. The car must be dismantled – removing the side mirrors, door handles and grille, for example – and the panels themselves have to be cleaned thoroughly. A thorough inspection of the surface is also critical – any dents, scratches or rust must be fixed before the wrapping can begin. The installer will need to make a map of the surface to determine what measurements are needed and what areas might pose challenges. Then, the installer will use a heat gun to soften the vinyl and a felt squeegee to smooth out any air pockets.
One of the most important factors in determining how long a wrap will last is the material used. A quality professional wrap job usually uses a thicker vinyl designed to withstand weather, temperature fluctuations and road debris.
This vinyl is often backed by a warranty and is typically more durable than standard paint. However, the longevity of a wrap can also depend on where the car is parked and how much sun exposure it receives. If it is parked in direct sunlight or in a cold climate, the wrap may wear out faster. Salt used to melt snow on winter roads can also be hard on wraps.
Unlike painting, which can damage the original paint beneath it, wraps are a safe and effective way to customize a vehicle. A properly installed wrap protects the original paint from weathering, environmental hazards and road debris and is easier to remove than a paint job. A good wrap should also resist scratches, stains and other blemishes.
Wraps come in various styles and coverings, including partial wraps that cover specific panels, full wraps that cover the entire car and even chrome wraps that resemble stainless steel. Some wraps are also available in a range of textures that add to the visual appeal of a vehicle.
A car wrap is a great way to personalize your vehicle and make it stand out on the road. With the right care and maintenance, a wrapped car can look its best for up to five years and more.
Wrap Maintenance
As with all things car-related, a wrap will require some regular maintenance to keep it looking good. If you take care of your vehicle and follow some basic guidelines, a wrap can last up to 7 years.
A wrap protects the original paint surface of your car, shielding it from most normal road debris such as gravel, dirt and sand. This is one of the reasons why wrapping a car is preferable to repainting it; you won’t lose the original paint job in the process. If you do decide you want to change your wrap color down the line, or you need to remove it due to damage, SpeedPro technicians are ready to assist with a smooth removal that will not cause any additional harm.
It is recommended that a wrapped car be washed a minimum of once a week with a non-abrasive, mild detergent. It’s best to wash the car in a covered area to avoid sun bleaching or fading. Matte or satin wraps should be washed even more often than glossy finishes as they are prone to picking up contaminants, such as tree sap, bug splatter and bird droppings, which can cause early degradation.
Scratches, cuts and dents should be addressed as soon as they are noticed; ignoring them will only lead to further damage that may be more difficult to fix down the line. Getting these repairs done as quickly as possible will also help preserve the appearance of your car wrap and save you money in the long run.
During the application process, shop technicians will need to clean and detail your car to ensure the panels are as smooth as possible before wrapping. The process can take hours or days, and involves removing various parts of the car, including the door handles, mirrors, grille, headlights and taillights, and even the wheels. In order to apply the vinyl, the shop will need to get into tight crevasses and hard-to-reach areas.
This work can be dangerous, especially when performed by an inexperienced team. The process requires the use of sharp tools and can cause significant damage to the original paint if not performed correctly. Getting your car wrapped by an experienced and professional crew will ensure that the wrap is applied correctly, protecting the original paint underneath.