Vinyl wrapping your car sounds intriguing, doesn't it? It's cheaper and much easier to do than a paint job. However, that doesn't mean wrapping your vehicle in vinyl is super simple. It still requires solid skills and the proper equipment to get this job done right.
A vehicle vinyl wrap project requires various tools, including cutters like the Roland vinyl printer cutter, gloves, safety glasses, and other items. In this post, you'll learn about the gear needed to vinyl wrap your ride.
What Is Vinyl Wrapping?
Vinyl wrapping is a way of covering the original car paint of your car panels in vinyl sheets. When you vinyl wrap your car, it often looks like a new paint job. Sometimes the car even looks brand new! Vinyl wrapping is often considered better than paint because it comes in different finishes with customization options that paint can’t offer.
You can wrap a few panels of your car or cover the entire body. Custom wraps are also available as an easy wrapping solution. If you want to change your car's looks without breaking the bank or investing a lot of time, you can go for vinyl wrapping.
Why Should You Vinyl Wrap Your Vehicle?
Vinyl wrapping can be used to customize your vehicle's look and feel. Furthermore, it offers many benefits. If you vinyl wrap your car, it safeguards the original paint by preventing chipping, scratching, and fading. Because the adhesive used in a vinyl wrap is gentle, and paint-friendly, it causes no harm to the original color. You can also choose vinyl wrap as an alternative to expensive car painting.
A car paint job requires stripping, sanding, priming, and painting. These are time-consuming tasks that often take several days to complete. On the other hand, vinyl wrapping can be completed quickly, usually within a day or two. With proper guidance, you can even do it yourself. Wrapping your car in vinyl is less costly than a paint job. Many car owners prefer vinyl wrap because of its flexibility and cost-effectiveness. Changing the look of their car more often is easier when using wraps.
Equipment Needed to Vinyl Wrap Vehicles
If you are considering trying to wrap your car on your own, here is the equipment you will need:
- Heat gun
- Infrared thermometer
- Squeegee
- Cutting tape or masking tape
- Measuring tape
- Gloves
- Cutting blade and razors
- Microfiber towels
- Magnets
- Vinyl wrap
Heat Gun
A heat gun softens and stretches the vinyl wrap so it can stick to the surface better. To avoid overheating the vinyl, you should use a heat gun with variable temperature.
Infrared Thermometer
To make sure the vinyl is not overheated, use an infrared thermometer. It'll help you maintain a specific temperature and stay aware of the heat levels.
Squeegee
Squeegees smooth the wrap surface after placing it on the car panels. This tool helps to stretch the wraps properly.
Cutting Tape
Cutting tape is an alternative to blades or knives used to cut the vinyl wrap without harming the car's surface. It makes the process simpler and ensures the wrap cuts are clean.
Measuring Tape
A measuring tape is used to precisely measure the amount of vinyl needed to be cut. You could add some extra inches while measuring to make sure that the piece you cut is enough to cover the area you have in mind.
Gloves
Use gloves when running your hands over the surface so you don’t leave any marks on your new vinyl wrap. Try polyester gloves that ensure no fingerprints are left on the wrap to get better results.
Cutting Blade
Sometimes cutting tape is not enough for the task, so you might need a cutting blade. You can also use a vinyl cutter for cutting a vinyl wrap into a precise piece.
Microfiber Towels
Microfiber towels are excellent cleaning materials for vinyl wraps. Keep a few microfiber towels nearby to use when prepping and after placing the wrap.
Magnets
These come in handy when you need to keep the vinyl wrap in place, which allows multitasking and makes your wrapping project much easier.
Vinyl Wrap
Select a vinyl wrap with a specific finish or order a custom design. There are many brands of vinyl wraps. Try to use a high-quality wrap that lasts longer and looks good.
Final Thoughts
If your vehicle vinyl wrap comes with installation instructions provided by manufacturers, follow them closely. With a little effort and the right set of tools, you can vinyl wrap your car and enjoy its new look for years.
If you have other design ideas in mind, find out if you can print vinyl on a regular printer by contacting Airmark today!
