Vehicle wraps are hands down the best way to advertise your business, but a lot of people are wary of trying something new. But, never fear! 12-Point SignWorks is here to answer questions and to dispel doubt. 

Q. Will getting a wrap put on my vehicle ruin the paint?

A. It shouldn't if it is maintained with regular cleanings. A full-coverage wrap can actually protect your vehicle's factory paint job by covering it from weather, scratching, and UV damage. If you choose to get only a portion of your vehicle wrapped, you may get some fading where the original paint job is exposed while the paint under the graphics will remain vibrant.  

You don't need a super elaborate wrap to be effective. This one we did for Family Tree Estate Sales is fun but simple and shows off the important contact information quickly.

Q. How long will my wrap last?

A. A vehicle wrap can last between three and six years, depending on how well you take care of it. Generally, if you are pretty good at maintaining your vehicle anyway, then it won't be much different maintaining a car wrap. Wash it by hand using a solution of water and a mild detergent (the machinery inside of automatic car washes can damage or lift the vinyl), and be careful where you park; for instance, under a tree that's dripping sap or houses a lot of birds might not be the best place to keep it. For more maintenance tips check out this blog post.

Q. Can I get temporary wraps or graphics?

A. Yes you may! There are types of vehicle wrapping vinyls and films with a less aggressive adhesive that allow for temporary graphics to be put on your vehicle. You can also get digitally printed magnets to advertise your company on vehicles if you are looking for something that's very easy to take on and off. 

Q. Is there anything I should do to prepare my vehicle for a wrap?

A. Make sure your car is clean and the paint is in good condition. Some people think that a color change wrap is the solution to covering up paint that is cracked, peeling or oxidized. This isn't the case. Wrap films and vinyl adheres best to smooth surfaces and fits to the vehicle like a glove, so any imperfections can keep the vinyl from laying properly and the texture may still be seen through the wrap. This may seem pretty obvious, but don't wax your car before you take it in to get wrapped. We've had that happen before! Any oil or residue will act as a barrier between the vehicle's surface and the wrap. We wipe vehicles down with isopropyl alcohol (regular rubbing alcohol) to remove any grease or oils on the surface. 

Q. Can I paint over a wrap or graphics that are on my car?

A. We wouldn't advise doing that. Even the best wrap jobs will eventually start to lift and peel off the vehicle as the adhesive wears out, be it three, six, or eight years after you first get it. That means the vinyl will lift from behind the paint and take it off with it. Your vehicle will look like it has some weird skin disease!

Digital printing let's you get super vibrant, original wraps like this one we designed for Janet's Planet.

Q. Can I wrap my vehicle myself?

A. Of course, this is America after all! But we would strongly advise against it. You should hire a professional to install your wrap for the same reason you should visit a doctor for a broken leg instead of searching WebMD for self-treatment options—they have the expertise to do it right. On top of having years of experience wrapping a variety of vehicle types, professional wrap installers also have access to the best tools and materials in the industry. Many, like our installers, have taken extensive training courses (no, we're not talking about watching YouTube videos) from renowned wrap installers like Justin Pate to become certified. Seriously, it's not as easy as it looks!  

Q. Does vehicle advertising even work?

A. We're so glad you asked! Yes, yes it does. Getting an advertising vehicle wrap is actually one of the most effective (and cost-effective) ways to market your business. Think about it, if you wrap your company car, then you'll drive it to work, park it at a restaurant at lunch, cruise on over to the gym or pick up your dry cleaning after work, and then back home to your neighborhood. Everyone you drive past while you do these things, or who sees your parked car, is exposed to your ad. If you work a job that requires you to visit different job sites during the day, like plumbing or landscaping, then you're going to get even more marketing impressions with your car. If you are driving in a large city, your vehicle ad has the chance to be seen by 30,000 people a day! Studies have shown that people notice and remember advertisements on vehicles better than with any other type of advertising. Plus, for the thousands of people guaranteed to see your ad, you are only paying pennies per person. 

Don't you want a delicious burrito from Moe's now? That's the power of vehicle wraps. 

Q. How much is this going to cost me?

A. It all depends on what you want. The price of your vehicle wrap is based on how much material will be used and how much labor it will take to get it wrapped. So, sticking a logo on the side of a truck is going to be much cheaper than completely covering a tour bus. It also depends on your design requirements, how complexly shaped the vehicle you want wrapped is, the condition of your vehicle, if you want your windows and roof covered, and how long you want the wrap to last. For a general guess-timation of what your wrap might cost, check out one of our previous blog posts that lays it all out. An even better thing to do? Call us or email us today and we'll give you a free custom quote and consultation based on your ideas and vehicle. 

Interested in seeing if your vehicle is in good enough condition to qualify for a wrap? Click the button below to access our free eBook and find out!