BEFORE THE VINYL GOES ON.
A great wrap starts with what’s underneath it.
Vinyl follows the surface of your vehicle very closely. Paint condition, bodywork, waxes, coatings, contaminants—and even the vinyl being installed—can all affect the finished result.
Here are a few things worth knowing before your vehicle comes in.
IF YOU CAN FEEL IT, YOU’LL SEE IT.
Vinyl can change the color, style, and personality of a vehicle. It cannot repair what’s underneath it.
Rock chips, scratches, dents, sanding marks, rust, peeling clear coat, failing paint, unfinished bodywork, and other surface imperfections may still be visible through the vinyl.
Some imperfections can also affect how well the vinyl adheres.
If you can feel it, you’ll see it.
HAD PAINT OR BODYWORK? LET ME KNOW.
Repainted or repaired panels aren’t automatically a problem, but they are important for me to know about before installation.
If your vehicle has had paintwork, body repair, replacement panels, rust repair, clear-coat problems, or other surface repairs, let me know.
Fresh paint also needs to be completely cured before vinyl is installed.
Factory paint in good condition is generally the safest surface to wrap. Poorly bonded paint, failing clear coat, or improper previous repairs can create problems during installation or when the vinyl is eventually removed.
Not sure about something? Tell me before we start and I’ll take a look.
CLEAN IS GOOD. FRESHLY DETAILED ISN’T.
A normal wash before your appointment is appreciated.
If your vehicle has had paintwork, body repair, replacement panels, rust repair, clear-coat problems, or other surface repairs, let me know.
If possible, wash the vehicle the day before drop-off so water has time to dry from seams, trim, mirrors, handles, and other areas where it likes to hide.
Please avoid applying:
Wax
Polish
Ceramic sprays or coatings
Silicone-based products
Heavy tire shine
Other shine or protection products
These products can leave residues that interfere with vinyl adhesion.
You don’t need to make the vehicle installation-ready.
That part is my job.
THE FINAL PREP HAPPENS HERE.
Before vinyl goes on the vehicle, I inspect and prepare the areas being wrapped.
Depending on the project, that may include additional cleaning, surface decontamination, degreasing, removing residue, drying seams and edges, and removing certain trim or hardware when needed.
The goal is simple:
Give the vinyl the cleanest, most stable surface possible to stick to.
BRINGING YOUR OWN VINYL? NO PROBLEM.
I’ll work with what you bought. I just want you to know what you bought.
I install customer-supplied vinyl, graphics, stripe kits, decals, and similar products.
Sometimes the material is perfectly good.
Sometimes it isn’t.
I’d rather be upfront about that before installation than surprise you afterward.
A BRAND NAME DOESN’T ALWAYS TELL THE WHOLE STORY.
Vinyl manufacturers make many different types and grades of film for very different applications.
A company may make excellent automotive wrap film while also making lower-cost vinyl intended for signs, flat surfaces, short-term graphics, or interior applications.
A lot of inexpensive graphics sold through Amazon, eBay, and similar sites may advertise a recognizable vinyl brand while using one of that manufacturer’s lower-grade materials.
That doesn’t automatically mean the product won’t work.
It does mean the installation, appearance, removability, and expected life may be different from the premium wrap films I normally use.
DURABILITY ISN’T ONE NUMBER.
Claims like “6+ year vinyl” can be misleading when they don’t explain how or where the material is being used.
Film life depends on the exact vinyl, finish, vehicle surface, sun exposure, climate, storage, maintenance, and whether the material is installed vertically or horizontally.
Hoods, roofs, and trunk lids receive significantly more sun and environmental exposure than doors and quarter panels, so their expected life is usually shorter.
When I supply the material, I use premium automotive wrap films and can give you a realistic expectation based on the specific product and where it is being installed.
I have graphics and stripes that still look good many years later.
The better the material and the better it is cared for, the better chance it has of staying that way.
ALREADY BOUGHT THE VINYL?
That’s okay.
Customer-supplied installations are generally charged by the time and work involved, with a $100 minimum.
Pricing can depend on:
Size of the graphic
Placement
Type and brand of vinyl
Vehicle condition
Cleaning required
Removal of trim or hardware
How difficult the material is to install
If you send me a photo of the vinyl, rendering, product link, or material specifications, I can usually give you a better idea of what the installation will involve and what it may cost.
HAVEN’T BOUGHT IT YET? SEND IT TO ME FIRST.
Found a graphic, stripe kit, or vinyl online?
Send me the link before you order it.
I’m happy to take a look and tell you what I think of the material, application, and durability claims.
And if you like the idea but aren’t sold on the material or design, I can usually create something specifically for your vehicle and produce it using premium automotive wrap film.
WANT ME TO BUILD IT INSTEAD?
Give me the idea and I’ll put together some design options.
We go back and forth, make changes, customize the design, and get it where you want it.
Once you approve the design, we schedule the vehicle and prepare everything for installation.
Some projects require a deposit before production or scheduling.
Your idea. Designed for your vehicle. Installed by the same person who designed it.
NOT SURE? ASK BEFORE YOU BUY.
A quick question now can save a lot of frustration later.
If you’re unsure about your vehicle’s condition, a product you found online, the vinyl you already purchased, or whether something can be wrapped, send it over.
I’d rather take a look before you spend the money.