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How To Vinyl Wrap A Car And Care For It – The Full Diy Guide

Nov 28, 2022

Given that over half of all cars are monochromatic shades, it’s no surprise you’re interested in a new look, a new color or finish or something more artistic. For years, the solution was a custom paint job, but the mid-1990s marked a revolution in vehicle customization: vehicle vinyl wrap.

Step 1. Have A Proper Plan
As we all know, nothing big is achieved without a plan. Before vinyl wrapping your car, this step is quintessential. If you want to wrap your car in designed vinyl sheets, make sure that the design is of high quality and doesn’t break or look distorted when stuck onto a 3D surface.

Also, the higher quality is the vinyl, the more it will last. Though the differences are not detectable to naked eyes in the beginning, low-quality vinyl wraps will start fading and bubbling with time. So, if you want your car vinyl wraps to last long, best to go for top branded vinyl sheets.

Step 2. Decide Your Work Area
Yes, when it comes to vinyl wrapping your car, the location where you perform the DIY is also equally important. If you’re planning to work outdoors, we’d recommend you reconsider.

In simple words, we need a facility where the chances of big and small dust particles sticking to the surface are minimal.

Vinyl wraps are unforgiving, and every small detail within shows. Moreover, big chunks of dust might even tear the wrap, eventually allowing water to seep into and weaken the adhesive.

Likewise, the surrounding temperature on the day you’re working also matters a lot. In fact, it is another reason why one shouldn’t wrap their cars outdoors, as the temperature outside is not something you can control.

If the temperature is too hot, there’s a chance that the adhesive will activate quickly, giving you little time to DIY and, thus, hasty results. Heat might even cause the wraps to become too soft, which might cause discoloration in over-stretched areas as well as distortion of the visuals.

Likewise, installing when it’s too cold isn’t a good idea either. Cold temperatures might make the wraps brittle, thus making them difficult to install. Moreover, the bonding property of adhesion around the edges and curves might also be affected.

So, to avoid all these unwanted problems and for the smooth vinyl wrap installation, ensure that the surrounding temperature is warm, i.e., preferably 60 to 80 degrees.

Step 3. Prepare The Canvas
Now, it’s time to prepare your canvas! Major problems such as chips, dents, and rust can impose a problem while vinyl wrapping. If the wrap sticks to the imperfections, it will be evidently visible, and if it doesn’t, there’s a chance of the area bubbling up and tearing apart.

So, before the installation, make sure that the paint underneath is intact and the wraps have a smooth surface to glide over.

Step 4. Remove Any Hindrances
Going over small surfaces such as mirrors, door handles, headlights is doable. But it can add up your installation time by hours, especially if you’re a first-time DIYer. So, save yourself some trouble and remove these obstacles beforehand to ensure a smooth installation.

Step 5. Clean The Work Area And Your Car Surface

Sweep or vacuum your work area clean before beginning the installation. Do not do the cleaning and installation side by side, as sands and dust flying around can stick to your car surface and disturb the installation.

Vinyl wraps accentuate the imperfections underneath. So, sand particles and dirt might look more evident once the wraps are installed. That’s the reason why you must clean the car surface thoroughly beforehand.
To make sure that the surface is left clean and the cleaner doesn’t affect the bonding ability of adhesive, use a non-wax car cleaner. Then, wipe the surface one more time using isopropyl alcohol and a lint-free cloth. Doing so ensures that absolutely no speck of dirt is left behind.

Step 6. Measure And Cut The Vinyl Sheets
Measure and measure twice such that the dimensions are accurate. If it helps, you can sketch a rough diagram of your car and have all the measurements written down. When it’s time to cut the sheets, remember to cut them a few inches bigger.

Step 7. Laying The Sheets
You might need a few helping hands for this step. Stretch the sheets a few inches above the area of installation and remove the backing from the sheets. Remember to exert equal tension on the backing to reduce wrinkles.

Once the backing is removed, place the vinyl sheet gently on the surface. Leave some extra sheets on the edges for handling. During the installation of vinyl sheets, it’s best to start with smaller areas to build up the confidence need.

Also, an important remember – once the surface and the working area are clean, always wear gloves while handing the surface and the wraps.

Step 8. Managing Stuck Air And Wrinkles

To manage air bubbles and wrinkles, gently peel the vinyl off the area, blow some mild heat, no more than 120 ºF, and apply gentle pressure to stretch the sheets.

Step 9. Making Seams
Seams look hideous only when done improperly. If done with brilliance, you cannot even notice one. Overlap two vinyl pieces and, using knifeless cutting tape, create a perfect seam. In case you have to cut using a knife, make sure that knife is sharp and your handles gentle.

Step 10. Finishing The Wrapping DIY
Trim the extra sheets on the edges, leaving a 2-3 mm margin from the edge. Activate the adhesive on the edges using a heat gun and firmly seal the edges to the panels.

Once all the edges are set, use a heat gun to activate adhesives on the rest of the vinyl sheets. Using squeegee and hands to bond the sheets to the surface and take care of bubbles safely with a pin, if necessary.

Post-Wrap Cleaning
Gentle cleaning with hands is recommended for vinyl-wrapped cars. Never scrub the surface using brush car washes, as it might lead to scratching and peeling off of vinyl wraps.

Also, use a pressure washer at a right-angle to the surface and ensure that the pressure is gentle, i.e., under 2000 psi. If you notice some stubborn spots, target the spot with isopropyl alcohol to get rid of them.

Moreover, not all wax and polishes can be used on vinyl surfaces, as they often lead to the hazing of matte-finished vinyl sheets. So, only use vinyl-safe waxes for a showroom shine.

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