Vehicle wraps are a great way to advertise your business. Although wraps last for several years, they eventually need to be removed. So you may be wondering, what’s involved in the wrap removal process? Our production manager answered some common questions we receive about taking off a vinyl car wrap.

This is a good example of a clean wrap removal. You can see the truck's original factory paint has remained in great condition as the vinyl is removed.

How long does a vinyl wrap typically last?

Wraps typically look their best for about 4 years, depending on how well the wrap is maintained. When they’re cleaned often and regularly parked out of the sun (in a garage or under a covered structure), they can last even longer. We’ve seen them last up to eight years, but that’s not typical.

We designed and installed this beautiful truck wrap for the Habitat for Humanity of Greater Nashville.

We’ve also seen wraps last as little as two years when they’re not taken care of, so proper maintenance is important. To learn more about how to maintain a vinyl wrap, read our blog article: Keeping It Clean: Care and Maintenance Tips for Vehicle Wraps.

How will I know when my wrap is ready for removal?

The first signs of deterioration will be when the edges start to peel. Also look for fading and cracking, especially on the hood and surfaces that face the sun (i.e. hood, roof, trunk, etc.).

How much can I expect to pay for the wrap removal?

The cost of removing vinyl from a vehicle depends on the amount that needs to be removed and how well it was maintained. We’ve seen full coverage vinyl wraps on mid-sized cars removed in less than 6 hours. We’ve also had to spend more than 40 hours removing a poorly maintained wrap from a similar size car. The second wrap was severely cracked across the hood, roof, trunk and even on the sides.

This vinyl is way past its prime, by several years! At this stage, the vinyl is severely discolored and cracked.

Will the wrap removal damage my paint?

Vinyl wraps should only be installed on factory-original (OEM) or professionally applied, high quality paint. Aftermarket or improperly applied paint can come up during the wrap removal process. If you’re concerned about the condition of your paint, let us take a look. Our installers will be able to quickly tell you if your vehicle’s paint is in suitable condition for a vinyl wrap.

Adhesive promoter can also be a problem if it was applied during installation. Promoter increases the adhesion power of vinyl, so there are many installers that use it. However, overuse can cause issues with paint coming up when the wrap is later removed.

Promoter is often used in areas like wheel wells to help vinyl stick, however, overuse can cause paint to lift when the vinyl is removed.

Scratch marks are another issue that sometimes occur during wrap installation. Our installers are extremely careful to prevent scratches when cutting vinyl.

What’s a good way to get the most out of my wrap, but also avoid the large expense of a difficult removal?

To prolong the beauty and life of your car wrap, it should be regularly hand-washed. We suggest parking the vehicle in a garage or covered shelter when possible. Also don’t continue to leave the wrap on your vehicle past its recommended service life of 4 years. If you follow these steps, removal should be no problem!

So now that you know a little more about the wrap removal process, are you ready to invest in an advertising wrap for your business? We have the talent, experience and equipment to create a wrap that will get your brand noticed!

When you’re ready to get the design process started, give us a call at (615) 595-6564 or click on the button below. We look forward to working with you!

We also specialize in custom lobby & logo signs, architectural displays, wall murals, window graphics, event signage, plaques, custom projects, and more! We serve the Middle Tennessee area and beyond, including Nashville, Franklin, Brentwood, Hendersonville, Smyrna, Lebanon, Murfreesboro, and Spring Hill.