Car wrapping has been available since the 1990s. At first, it was used for branding motorsport and fleet vans, but during the last 5-8 years, it has quietly evolved and become available to all drivers. It is for those with one important desire – to preserve and protect their car’s paintwork, so that it looks flawless, long after the car has left the showroom. Many car owners consider wrapping their car, but pose the same question: Does wrapping a car damage the paint? The answer lies in the quality of the wrap material used, as it is the foundation of success. So how should you choose your car wrap solution? Choose a premium quality Paint Protection Film and it will behave predictably, prove durable and can be removed cleanly without any residue. In contrast, a cheap vinyl looks similar on day one, but will not have long-lasting results. Not only is the choice of car wrap important, but so is the experience of the film installer. Here, we look at all aspects of car wrapping and the pitfalls to avoid.
Quality of the wrap materials
Choosing a premier name is like choosing between haute couture and fast fashion, as long-term results and the way that your vehicle looks in months and years to come will depend on the quality of the body wrap you have invested in. Cheap car wrapping films shrink and harden faster than premier quality films. AX Film is a leading name in paint protection automotive film, and its name is synonymous with quality, durability and excellent customer service. AX Film has defined vehicle protection as it offers the perfect balance between performance and style. The company is a market leader and its name stands for ‘Aspire for Xcellence’, and its key aim is to exceed customer expectations.
AX Film has been designed using advanced coating and precision manufacturing techniques, the result is a world-class paint protection film with greater elasticity, optical clarity and durability. AX Film is a premier quality product that meets all international standards, and this brings confidence to its growing number of customers. AX Film offers better UV protection and heat resistance. Stable and predictable adhesives are used throughout the wrapping to ensure that no residue is left when the film is removed.
Paint Protection Film is thick and designed for optimum impact protection. Many PPFs are also self-healing so that minor scratches disappear. Vinyl wraps are quite different as they are thin, colored or textured films that are used to make speedy changes to style or color. Vinyl wraps look like paint but do not offer the same level of protection as PPFand do not offer resistance to UV to prevent fading and oxidation. They do not preserve the resale value of the vehicle.
Installation techniques
The quality of the car wrapping material chosen is key, and so is the skill of the installer if you are seeking flawless paintwork for your vehicle. AX Film agents worldwide are trained in the company’s special car wrapping technique. Before they begin work, they thoroughly wash the vehicle and carefully prep the car panels to remove any traces of wax and silicone. The film is very flexible and elastic, which makes it easier to apply. Installers never use blades to ensure that there is no chance of damaging the paintwork and work with knife-less tapes too.
Experienced installers understand how wrapping interacts with factory paint and how to avoid damage. They can apply the PPF film perfectly to even the most complex curving without overstretching the film. The installer will painstakingly check that all edges are secure to avoid the film from lifting. Once the film is correctly in place, the installer uses a proven heat gun method to avoid overstretching of the film, as this leads to failure.
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Poor installation leads to bubbles and ripples in the film and edges that can trap dirt and moisture.
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Maintenance and cleaning habits
Good maintenance of the bodywork of your vehicle will help to maximise the life of the car wrap and ensure that the paintwork of your car is always looking pristine.
Wash
Regularly wash your car every 1-2 weeks. Begin by rinsing the car thoroughly to remove all road debris. Fill two buckets with water, and to the second add a pH-balanced car shampoo. Only use clean, soft microfibre cloths. Wash the car using the soap water from the roof downwards, leaving the wheels till last. Using a second clean cloth, rinse the car from top to bottom. Once this has been done, the car can be gently dried using a chamois leather.
Protect
To help protect your car wrap, apply a vinyl-safe sealant or spray ceramic coating every 3- 6 months. This adds an extra protective layer against UV damage and makes cleaning much easier. Park your car carefully either in a garage or shade and avoid parking it under trees with sap. To prevent any staining, always remove bird droppings, bug splatters and tree sap within 24 hours. It is important to remember that all of these contain acid, which can burn the film.
• It is best to avoid automatic car washes that use stiff brushes and chemicals.
• Never use petrol-based tar removers on car wraps.
UV resistance and will prove durable for protecting your vehicle well against chemical and physical damage and be resistant to environmental damage.
Market leaders AX Film, state that the average age span for its Paint Protection Film is 5 -7 years. When you decide that it is time to remove the car wrap, it is best to schedule this with the installer so that the film can be safely and quickly removed, leaving no trace.
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How to make sure your car wrap doesn’t disappoint
The wrap itself is rarely the problem, but the prep of your car and the choices made leading up to its installation will be the deciding factors on how pleased you are with the results and how long the paintwork stays perfect afterwards.
It is important to take time reading up on PPF wrapping and to choose the best quality protective film and installer available. A common question is whether it is cheaper to wrap or paint a car. Car wrapping is not a quick fix for the appearance of your car; it is more like automotive cosmetic surgery. Getting your car wrapped is not cheap, but PPF is an excellent investment in the protection of the car’s paintwork and keeping it pristine will positively impact the vehicle’s resale value.
Prepare the paintwork before wrapping
Before getting your car wrapped, it is important to spend time checking over the paintwork – especially if the vehicle has not just left the showroom.
It is important that the paintwork is in excellent condition. Make sure that there are no dents and cracks, as the wrap highlights all imperfections.
The installer will check that the paintwork has no traces of wax or sealant, but it is a good idea to treat the paintwork yourself in advance. Any traces of either will mean that the adhesive on the film will not bond properly with the paint surface.
Choose a professional installer
The quality of your wrapped car depends on the skill and the experience of the installer, because there are several stages in the wrapping process when the paintwork of the car could be damaged – not by the PPF itself, but by how carefully it is applied.
Certified applicants are well-trained, use high-quality wrap materials and stick to manufacturers’ guidelines. They will always panel-strip rather than tuck the wrap around awkward shapes, and they never cut the vinyl on the vehicle. They will have been properly trained to ensure that they use the correct heat setting and that the heat gun is used at the correct angle and distance throughout.
Use high-quality wrap materials
Your choice of wrapping material for your car is of paramount importance. It is important to stick to reliable and quality-driven companies such as £M, Avery Dennison, KPMG, Hexis and AX film. They may not be the cheapest in the market, but you are paying for professionalism, branded paint protection film, consistent adhesive and quality assurance.
It is important to remember that choosing a poor quality wrap fitted using poor workmanship is false economy and will not result in customer satisfaction.
Proper maintenance during use
When your car has been newly wrapped by a professional company, it will look truly magnificent as its perfect gleam accentuates the style of its design. Every morning when you walk towards it, you will appreciate the reasons why you chose it!
With proper maintenance, you will be able to maximise the life of the film and keep the paintwork of your car looking really excellent.
• Inspect your car regularly for any lifting of the film at the corners, as this can be quickly remedied.
• Give your car a regular wash by hand using the above guidelines.
• Apply a ceramic topping or vinyl-safe sealant every six months to increase the durability of the film.
• Avoid the use of pressure washers or heat guns near the edges of the film.
It has to be acknowledged that many car owners – particularly those owning prestigious marques – are quietly hesitant about car wrapping, fearing it could damage the paintwork. With top quality Paint Protection Film and an experienced and certified installer, the wrap will be seen more as a guardian than a threat and protect the paintwork from UV light, stone chips, micro scratches and everyday pollutants. The clear and easy removal of the film is not viewed as an afterthought, as it has been built into the engineering. Having your car wrapped is a truly reversible luxury upgrade that will not damage the paintwork but protects the investment beneath it….
