Text: Nicol Louw. Article from the June 2013 issue of Car Magazine.

Giving your vehicle a new look has never been easier – think of it as a temporary tattoo for your car

We live in a world where individualism is celebrated and fashion ever-changing. Why then do you have to accept the same paint finish on your vehicle? The good news is that you don’t: welcome to the trend of vehicle wrapping. Apart from changing the look of your vehicle, it is also an easy and effective way to advertise and can actually protect the paintwork.

Design

Today, there are several options when it comes to vehicle wrapping. The simplest wrap – such as plain matte – is easiest because the vinyl material is already available in that finish, but the sky is the limit when it comes to a wrapping design. A good wrapping company will allow you to create your own design and supply a visual mock-up to scale of your vehicle. Once you have signed off the proof and handed over the customary 50 per cent deposit, the process can commence. In our case, we decided on a matte finish for our long-term Mitsubishi Triton with CAR logos on the doors, bonnet and tailgate.

Preparation

Before starting, the wrapping company should inspect and note any damage to your vehicle to eliminate future damage disputes. Reliable companies pride themselves on the fact that your vehicle’s original paintwork will sustain no damage during the process. The vehicle is cleaned with water and a light alcohol mixture to ensure absolute cleanliness before proceeding.

Application

The wrapping material, in our case cast matte vinyl, comes in a 1,2-metre wide roll and is roughly cut to body panel sizes with extra margin material, called bleed. The vinyl sheets are similar to stickers: the back-covering paper is pulled off to reveal the special adhesive. Large areas are normally moistened to allow some movement after fitting to align the sheets before they are finally stroked into place. The water is pushed out and the bleed material carefully removed with a sharp knife. A heat gun is used when the material is stretched over a curved area to remove creases and produce a smooth surface. Normally, the vehicle is parked in the sun for a couple of hours after completion to help the curing process of the glue. The application process takes between three and five days depending on vehicle size.

Aftercare

Subject to the quality of vinyl used, the wrap will last between three and seven years. Washing the vehicle is best done by hand using soapy water; rather stay clear of car washes or high-pressure cleaners. Sunlight will fade a printed wrap over time so if you know that the car will often be parked in the sun, request an ultraviolet protective varnish (or protective laminate layer). 

Pitfalls

As with all industries, there are rogue traders in the field of wrapping. To ensure a satisfactory result, keep the following in mind:

• Ask the wrapping company for references before handing over the deposit. Experience counts for a lot.
• Get a written guarantee that your vehicle’s paintwork will not sustain any damage during the process.
• Ask exactly what quality vinyl is used as its durability is rated in years. Also ensure that a cast vinyl is used for curved surfaces because normal vinyl is not suited and will easily peel.

Removal

Removal of the wrap is best done by professionals and most wrapping companies will offer this service. Once removed, the vehicle should look completely original without any indication it was wrapped.

The sky’s is the limit

The wrapping industry is gaining momentum and so are the possible wrapping options. Carbon-fibre finish is very popular and there is even the possibility of colour-changing wrapping material that alters the hue depending on the angle of vision.

Approximate cost of full vehicle wrap

MPV/van (Mercedes-Benz Vito) R10 000-R14 000*

Double-cab bakkie (Mitsubishi Triton) R6 000-R9 000*

C-segment hatchback (VW Golf) R5 000-R7 000*

A-segment hatchback (Hyundai 110) R4 000-R6 000*

* Pricing depends on mapping material

Special thanks to Liquid Blue in Brackenfell for the wrapping of the Mitsubishi Triton. Contact the team on 021 981 1805/083 450 5256, email info@liquidblue.co.za or visit www.liquidblue.co.za.

3DX-act in Bellville supplied the Mactac vinyl vehicle-wrapping and branding material. Phone 021 949 0626/076 936 8855, email wilhelm@3dxact.com or visit www.3dxact.com