Car wraps are all the rage lately for several good reasons, most notably because they protect your OEM paint, are 100 percent removable, and best of all, keep your warranty and/or lease agreements valid!
Many people thinking about wrapping their vehicle pause to ask how long does a car wrap last. And we get it! It’s an investment into your vehicle and you want to be sure the juice is worth the squeeze – or in this case – the vinyl is worth the while.
At Sterling’s Customs, our answer is between five to seven years. However, there are several factors that can influence the longevity of your car wraps such as vinyl quality, and care.
What Factors Contribute to Custom Vinyl Fading?
Unlike metal that can rust, vinyl can fade or become damaged when it’s exposed to dirt, dust, and residue over a long period of time. Whether or not your vinyl wrap will fade also depends on the quality of vinyl itself. Car wraps that are made from superior quality vinyl will be able to maintain their original color throughout their lifespan.
Washing your wrapped vehicle often with vinyl-appropriate washing solutions can considerably reduce fading and damage issues. Refrain from using protectants like polish and wax, as they are geared towards metal, and not vinyl.
How to Avoid Short-Lived Car Wraps:
Choose a Professional Car Wrapping Company
When buying car wraps, you get what you pay for, and the first, most important way to avoid short-lived wraps is by choosing a professional car wrap company, and not a half-baked mechanic for the job.
Opposite of what the general public thinks, installing car wraps is not the same as wrapping sandwiches with cling wrap, because there’s a fair amount of skill involved in order to guarantee a job well done.
If the installation is not done properly, it can cause both short-term and long-term problems, so do your research, read car wrapping company reviews to be sure that your vehicle is in the right hands. Luckily, at Sterling’s Customs – you’re in great hands.
The Quality of a Vinyl Car Wrap
Car wraps are available in a plethora of different materials, and just like anything else, there’s no shortage of cheap car wraps—ones you want to steer clear of. If a poor-quality wrap is used, then it will have a shorter lifetime, and not protect your vehicle, but in fact will make it more susceptible to rips, stains, and scratches.
Best Materials for Long-Lasting Vinyl Wraps
Choosing the best quality vinyl is a tad tricky because there’s a sea of options available from big brands such as 3M, Avery, KPMP, etc. Sterling’s Customs offers a one year installer warranty on all of our vinyl wraps. Any films that are applied in our shop we believe in their quality and warranties.
Vinyl wraps from 3M and Avery Dennison are also easy to apply, and have higher performance and versatility. The wraps feature faster positioning, bubble-free application, and long-term removability. Vinyl wraps from Avery Dennison and 3M are also durable in all types of weather, and do not require an overlaminate.
Plus, the adhesive on these car wraps is pressure-activated, so there’s no need to apply any heat like you would with other products.
With regards to materials, both 3M and Avery Dennison offer several premium wraps including SW900 Supreme, Chrome accent, MPI 1105, and 3M Wrap Film Series 1080.
Why Hire Sterling’s Customs for Customized Car Wraps?
Sterling Customs uses the highest quality materials from leading brands such as Avery Dennison and 3M, so the chances of damage and/or fading are highly unlikely.
Adding to this, we offer over 1500 colors, textures, chrome to choose from, and can even develop a custom color designed and printed in house if you want to really stand out from the crowd.
Our mission at Sterling Customs is customization and commitment to all our customers, so if you’re looking for a flawless car wrap that will last for years to come, get in touch with one of our professionals today.
