“Can you vinyl wrap a vehicle yourself?” is a question we’re often asked.
Yes, you can wrap a vehicle yourself if you have time and patience. Wrapping a car with vinyl is not difficult, but it does take patience and a lot of time.
You’ll need limited money, a few tools, time, and patience to wrap a vehicle yourself. Before wrapping your automobile, read this post to learn from our mistakes and prevent common difficulties.
How to Prepare a Vehicle for Vinyl Wrapping
Infiniti M45 wrapped with Avery Dennison
The most important element of covering an automobile is preparing it for the vinyl wrap.
First, use a primer to fix any dents or deep gashes and ensure that the mended surface is level.
Get your vehicle washed and readied for a vinyl wrap.
Next, thoroughly wash the car to eliminate impurities or dirt, resulting in a clean working surface.
Remove any last-minute dirt or pollutants using a clay bar while the car is still wet.
Dry the car using an air compressor or a moisture-absorbing towel to prevent particles from a microfiber towel.
You’re ready to start after the car surfaces are level and clean.
After that, you may begin covering your automobile with vinyl. Consider vinyl wrapping a vehicle similar to adding huge stickers on larger surfaces.
How much does it cost to cover a vehicle in vinyl?
To vinyl wrap a car yourself, you’ll need a vinyl, which comes in various sizes, brands, colours, and finishes, and costs a lot of money.
To wrap most size automobiles, you’ll need to buy a 5-foot by the 60-foot vinyl roll, which may cost anywhere from $200 to $800.
Vinyl wrap may be acquired from various sources, including Metro Restyling, Amazon, eBay, and even vinyl manufacturing firms directly.
You will save money regardless of the colour or finish you pick. Instead of paying a service to vinyl wrap your car, you may save thousands of dollars by doing it yourself.
For a complete car wrap, an auto body shop will charge between $2,200 and $5,000, depending on the vinyl used and the size of the vehicle.
The price varies mostly because of the several brands of vinyl wrap for automobiles available, such as Avery Dennison, 3M, KPMF, Vvivid, SOTT, and others.
The vinyl wrap is available in every colour you can think of, including Single Colors, Color Shifts, chrome, Patterns, etc.
You can get numerous kinds of vinyl with different finishes, such as a Gloss Finish, Matte Finish, Satin Finish, Metallic Finish, etc.
- Rear Infiniti Vinyl Wrap DIY
- Avery Dennison Wrapped Infiniti M45
- Vinyl Wrapping Tools
- Roll of Vinyl DIY
- 5 by 50 feet, viny wrap roll.
To wrap a vehicle yourself, you’ll need the following items:
- Squeegee for wrapping vinyl with felt.
- A heat source
- Trimming implements
- Cutter for vinyl
- Cleaning materials for automobiles
- Towels made of microfiber
- Tape that doesn’t need a knife
- Magnets with vinyl covering
- Knife/blade for cutting vinyl.
To wrap a car yourself, you’ll need the vinyl, the equipment you’ll need, and most importantly, time and patience.
How much vinyl would it take to cover a car?
Different quantities of vinyl will be required depending on the size of the vehicle.
Expect to require a 5 ft x 50 ft vinyl roll for smaller automobiles such as convertibles or coupes.
Expect to require a 5 ft × 55 ft vinyl roll for automobiles.
Expect to require a 5 ft x 60 ft vinyl sheet for SUVs or bigger cars.
How Long Does It Take to Wrap a Car in Vinyl?
Plan on spending 30 to 40 hours, or roughly two weeks, to do a full vinyl wrap on a car by yourself.
Due to the skill level of the wrapper and the intricacy of the car body, the time it takes to wrap a vehicle varies somewhat.
We’ve seen body shops wrap a car in as little as two days or as long as two weeks if you leave it to the professionals.
When it comes to wrapping a car, a few things to keep in mind.
We’ve gathered various vinyl wrapping tips and techniques throughout the years, which we’ll share with you based on our expertise.
Preparation is the most important phase in the vinyl wrapping procedure. Any surface that is not clean and free of pollutants will not allow the film to adhere correctly.
Don’t skimp on the movie. If you’re on a tight budget, save up a few extra dollars and buy a film from one of the companies listed above to guarantee you’re receiving a high-quality product with air release and memory.
When vinyl wrapping, use the triangle technique, which entails stretching the vinyl in three separate directions to release any trapped air and remove any bubbles, wrinkles, or fingers.
Pre-stretch it using a heat gun and stretch it by 2% to 5% to prevent the vinyl from shrinking much as it cools.
Spray a thin layer of water on the vinyl film before squeegeeing it to prevent scratching it during wrapping.
FAQs
Is a heat gun required to vinyl wrap a vehicle?
Although technically not needed, preserving the film’s endurance is strongly suggested.
Is it possible to vinyl wrap a car that has dents?
A car with dents may be vinyl wrapped, but the dents will show through the vinyl wrap. To achieve a flawless finish, we suggest just having the dents removed before putting the vinyl cover.
Is it possible to wrap a body panel with primer or Bondo on it?
Yes, the vinyl will stay as long as the surface is clean. If it doesn’t work, you may apply an adhesive promoter.
Is it cheaper to cover a car in vinyl than to paint it?
Vinyl wrap is a less costly option for a high-quality paint job, but it is more expensive than a low-quality paint job in terms of quality.
Is it possible to have your car vinyl wrapped for free?
If you operate a business, make videos, or have another skill that may be valuable to a vinyl wrapping firm for advertising, you could be eligible for a discount or free labour.
How long does a vinyl wrap on a car last?
Vinyl automobile coverings typically last 5 to 7 years.
Is it possible to wash a car with a vinyl wrap?
Yes, vinyl wrap is cleaned the same way as the paint is, but with a little more care and consideration.
Is it true that vinyl wrap fades?
After a few years, a vinyl wrap may begin to film, although this is rare if the vinyl is properly cared for and kept out of the sun regularly.
Can car wraps harm a vehicle’s paint?
The paint underneath the vinyl wrap may be harmed if the paint is of poor quality.
Should I have my car wrapped by a professional?
Unless this is a passion project, it will be much faster to have a professional install your vinyl car wrap.
While the cost does increase quite a bit, you can see how much training and labour goes into the wrapping process.
