A wrap is a large vinyl graphic or decal. It is applied directly over the original paint of the vehicle. The application of the wrap allows you to change the vehicles appearance in a very short period of time and in turn allows you to remove the wrap, returning the vehicle back to its original condition if necessary.
Colour change is the same process of covering a vehicle in vinyl, but used purely to change the colour. More often than not, it involves the application of a coloured vinyl, as opposed to a digitally printed vinyl which would be used to display graphics. There are hundreds of colours and textures to choose from.
Anything less than a full wrap is normally called a “partial wrap”. A full wrap refers to a wrap that completely covers the vehicle in vinyl. A partial wrap (or half wrap) refers to a wrap that is not fully covered.
The vinyl, which comes on a roll, has a backing that peels off – much like a sticker. The back of the vinyl adheres to the panels of your vehicle, giving a perfectly smooth, tactile finish.
Car wraps are not permanent. Most vinyls have a life-span of approximately five years.
It’s not a doddle to remove a vinyl wrap, after all it needs to withstand all weather together with the daily stresses and strains of being on the road. Generally, the longer the vinyl has been in place, the longer it will take to remove. Nonetheless, vinyl is designed to be a form of paint protection and therefore the process of removal will not damage your paintwork – assuming the paintwork was in a good condition when the vinyl was applied.
If your paintwork is of a good standard when the wrap is applied, then the vinyl will not damage your paintwork.
No – a vinyl wrap will not hide the imperfections of your paintwork. The vinyl itself is very thin and so defects such as chips, key lines, rust and poor paintwork will show through.
The cost of removing a wrap starts at £495. For an accurate quotation we would need to see the condition of the vehicle in person.
A wrap is intended to be a short-term solution to colour change. A respray on the other hand, is very permanent. A wrap allows you to enjoy your car in any given colour, but then remove the wrap if you wish, for example, to re-sell it in the original paintwork. For instance, it would be easier to sell a red Ferrari than a blue one.
Yes you can. Bonnets and roofs are a popular choice for wrapping individually. For a really customised look, we recommend “dipping” parts such as wing mirrors, trims, knobs, handles, grills, mud guards and more.
We don’t recommend applying a wrap for at least 12 months after a respray.
This is down to the individual insurer and whether or not they deem a wrap to be a modification. We recommend checking with your insurer first to see what their policy is.