CALENDARED VINYL
This type of vinyl material is cost-effective to manufacture and can be found in the form of car wraps. The main ingredient is polyvinyl chloride polymer, short for PVC. A plasticizing agent gets added in to add flexibility while a coloring agent gives it a hue. It is typically thick, due to the absence of a solvent for paint casting. Constructed by applying heat, it comes out as a paste that gets put through rollers. It works best on flat parts of the car and is an ideal way to add accents. You can expect a lifespan of between 1-3 years.
DOUBLE CAST VINYL
Though it’s more expensive to manufacture, this type of vinyl is generally preferred for car wraps — especially if you’re wrapping the whole car. It adds value in terms of durability, thanks to the plasticizing agent added during construction. It starts as a chemical slurry, referred to as organosol, and is poured on a casting sheet (thus the namesake). It’s then put on a conveyor belt and dried slowly, leaving behind a sheet. This is then rolled up for the later addition of adhesive. Most car vinyl wraps include this adhesive, but not all do.
PAINT PROTECTIVE FILM
The primary purpose of this type of wrap is to prevent damage to the paint. It can help avoid issues with dust and debris in the air, as well as slow the fading of your car’s paint in the sunlight. Within this category, you can choose a matte look or varying degrees of gloss. As such, it can work to turn a matte paint job into a glossy one for a fraction of the cost.
