Car & vehicle wrapping
Getting a vehicle vinyl wrapping is the process of covering a vehicle, either fully or partially, with a special vinyl film. The vinyl film is stretched and applied to wrap the car’s exterior surfaces including the bonnet, doors, fenders, roof and bumpers. The whole car can be wrapped.
Owing to the customisation potential to getting a car wrap, wrapping a vehicle with vinyl can also create an attractive look, while simultaneously providing other benefits.
Why you should wrap your vehicle
Getting your vehicle wrapped can be a cost-effective alternative to spray painting. Even if you don’t want the entire vehicle wrapped, there are many cases where partial wrapping is an excellent choice for businesses and individuals alike. Partial vehicle wraps may include vinyl decals or de-chroming, but here are some of the main benefits of car wrapping.
Change the colour of your vehicle
A vinyl wrap can be used to change the colour of your vehicle, or even just parts of it. A car wrap will create an entirely new look for your car.
Protection from scratches
A vinyl wrap can also help protect your vehicle from scratches and other forms of minor damage. Vinyl wraps are highly durable, and can help to keep your car looking like new for longer than it would if you didn’t have a wrap installed.
Protection from sun damage
Wrapping your car can also help to protect your vehicle from the damaging effects of the sun’s UV rays. A vinyl car wrap will block these rays, preventing them from damaging your vehicle’s clear coat and fading the paint.
Personalise your vehicle
You can choose from a wide range of different colors, patterns, effects and designs to create a unique look for your car that no one else will likely have. This can be especially useful if you own a business and want to advertise and promote your brand with your vehicles.
Advertising and branding
Wrapped cars with custom graphics, logos and slogans essentially serve as mobile billboards that can catch the attention of people wherever they go. Getting your car wrapped or just installing vinyl stickers of your company logo is a very effective form of advertising. It’s a very cost effective way to reach a larger audience and diversify your marketing initiatives.
Vehicle vinyl wrapping process
Getting your car wrapped involves a few steps that will transform your vehicle using vinyl films. Here is a breakdown of the process:
Step 1. Consultation and design
The first step is to discover what your needs are and to create the design for your car wrap. Taking into account the car’s size, curves, and unique features. The design process can be as simple as choosing a color and vinyl or creating a mock up with graphics, logos. Our professional designers often utilize specialized software to help visualize the final result.
Step 2. Printing the vinyl wrap
Once the design has been finalized, it’s time to print the graphics patterns or decals on a large-format digital printer. A high-quality, self-adhesive, and weather-resistant vinyl film is used. Then it is laminated to help preserve the color and increase durability against scratches or other forms of minor damage.
Step 3. Preparation
Prior to the wrapping process, the car must be thoroughly cleaned and prepped. This step involves removing any dust, debris, or residues from the vehicle’s surface to ensure proper adhesion of the vinyl car wrap. It is also common to remove certain parts, such as mirrors and badges. This allows for a seamless and professional finish. Where there is existing dents, chips or deep scratches, they may be fixed to prevent them being visible on the final result.
Step 4. Installation of the vinyl wrap
During this phase, the vinyl is carefully applied to sections of the vehicle’s surface. Our installers use a range of techniques to ensure that the wrap conforms to the car’s contours while avoid the appearance of wrinkles or air bubbles. This is done by stretching, heating, and smoothing the vinyl with tools such as squeegees and heat guns. The result is to obtain a glass like finish with full adhesion.
Step 5. Trimming and finishing
Our installers ensure that the vinyl is firmly wrapped around all the edges and the car wrap is firmly secured. Then the excess material is carefully trimmed away using a precision knife. Any removed parts like the mirrors and handles or badges are reattached to complete the wrapping process.
After the car wrap has been installed, detailed care instructions will be provided to help maintain the longevity and appearance of the vinyl wrap.
How long does vehicle vinyl wrapping take?
The time it takes to wrap a car depends on various factors such as the vehicle’s size, the complexity of the contours and the design. If a car is being wrapped by a professional installer, it can typically take a day for a simple color change on a small car. However it is not uncommon for the car wrapping process to take 2-3 days for medium to large sized cars.
How much does it cost to get a car wrapped in Glasgow?
The cost of the vinyl material will depend on the quality, color and finish. Vinyl wraps can range from high-quality premium wraps to lower cost variants. The type of wrap (full or partial) also greatly impacts the cost. More complex designs or premium materials such as chrome or color-shifting films can significantly increase the cost.
Labor costs can also vary based on the complexity of the car’s contours and its size. Which will impact the time it takes to install the wrap.
Costs could be further added if the condition of the car requires further preparation before the wrap can be installed. This may include repairing scratches or other damages to ensure a smooth surface and better finish.
So it depends but to give you a rough answer, it can cost around £1200 – £1500 for a simple color change for a small to medium sized car. This is why it is best to get a quote for your project from a professional installer.
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