GENERAL INFO ON VINYL WRAPS

What is the process of vehicle wrapping?
Vehicle wrapping refers to completely or partly covering your car’s original paint with vinyl material. It can change the look of the vehicle, personalizing it for commercial or personal aesthetic purposes, and making a unique statement while protecting the paint underneath. We are here to make your dreams and ideas reality!

At Bayou Graphics, once we have created a concept or design for you, we will manage the logistics to make sure that you have the best materials possible for your job. With vinyl and installation specialists, we work tirelessly to find the best solutions for your project and execute it with precision and care you will not find anywhere else.
From cleaning the exterior of your vehicle with alcohol to remove imperfections and dirt, to precise application of the wrap, Bayou Graphics takes the utmost pride in doing everything correctly to ensure excellent results. We ensure that every panel of material adheres to the vehicle’s body without bubbles or creases, making light work of curves and recesses, corners and angles, from simple to complex, and guaranteeing flawless results from expert minds and hands.

What’s the difference between a wrap and paint?
Wraps are made of vinyl that envelops the exterior of the vehicle and covers the existing paint, protecting your vehicle’s original paint. Repainting your vehicle can be time consuming and damaging to the original paint, and consist of direct application of primer, paint, and clear coat to the body of your vehicle. The difference is clear: vinyl wraps are more cost-effective, convenient, and because they are reversible, they do not damage your vehicle’s resale value.

Paints are available in many colors, but vinyl comes in different colors, textures, finishes, and sheens, including exotic shades, chrome, matte, satin, brushed, and metallic. We can even use reflective, and color-flip and chameleon wrap materials! Not custom enough? We can also print any graphics or colors to make every single wrap unique. Whatever idea you have, you can work with our specialized designers to make your dream a reality!

Will a wrap damage my car?
Vinyl wrap materials are specifically designed to be non-damaging to the vehicle’s original paint. In fact, it provides a protective layer against potential harm from minor scratches, UV rays, and contaminants, helping preserve your car’s condition. A car wrap can contribute to maintaining or enhancing your car’s value. The vinyl layer not only enables aesthetic customization but also protects the original paint from potential damage, leading to reduced wear and tear – a well-maintained wrap could potentially increase the vehicle’s resale value.

One of the most attractive features of vehicle wrapping is its reversibility. If maintained properly, the wrap can be removed without causing damage to the original paint. We suggest that removing a vehicle wrap is best performed by professionals to prevent any potential damage, but we can do that too! We will do all the hard work to keep your paint in showroom condition.

How long does it take to wrap a vehicle?
Firstly, the time it takes to wrap a car depends on the size and complexity of the vehicle and design. For most cars, the process can take anywhere from 1-5 days when done by specialized and certified installers. It’s important to remember that for a long-lasting and high-quality wrap, rushing the process is not recommended. Your Bayou Graphics sales rep can review the process with you, so you have an accurate timeline that works for your business and gets your vehicle back on the road as soon as possible.
How long does a car wrap last?
For a quality wrap, with premium materials and expert installation, the lifespan of a vinyl wrap on a car can vary greatly, depending on upkeep practices. In general, high-quality wraps from reputable brands like 3M, Avery, or Arlon vinyl can last anywhere from 5 to 7 years when properly maintained, cleaned often, spray waxed, and kept in a covered parking space. Properly cared for wraps can last much longer than the manufacturer’s warranty. Bayou Graphics uses top quality material to ensure you get the longest possible service life out of your vehicle wrap.
How do you clean vehicle wrap?
Maintaining cleanliness is part of the upkeep for a car with vinyl wrap. Washing is necessary for any car, but gentle methods like hand washing are suggested for vinyl materials. Don’t ever use abrasive brushes, scrubbers, cleaners or chemicals on a vinyl wrap, rather, we suggest microfiber rags or soft sponges with dish soap or other non-corroding soaps to keep your wrap looking its best. To keep glossy vinyl wraps shiny and new, we also suggest using spray-on wax as a sealant, to help withstand dust and dirt from regular exposure or driving and make it easier to clean later. Harsh chemicals could potentially degrade the finish of the vinyl, and abrasive brushes or applicators may damage the protective surface that keeps the integrity of the vinyl.
What do I need to look out for before wrapping a vehicle?

#1. Paint of your vehicle

Make sure you know or find-out about whether your car has original OEM paint on it or if it was repainted. If the paint is very old, damaged or has been fixed (patched) there is a chance that the vinyl will pull the clear-coat and/or paint off when removed. If the car was repainted with low quality, inexpensive method the chances are higher that the paint will be pulled off when removing vinyl, especially if removed incorrectly.

#2. Defects, damage, stone chips, scratches on paint

Vinyl can only hide surface scratches and very small rock chips as it is thin and acts like a “skin” on top of your vehicle. The style of car wrap and the color also affect how it hides or shows defects. Vinyl wraps that have a texture or pattern will hide things the best way, but they are more expensive – Carbon Fiber wrap would be one example.

Make sure that you also clean off dried/caked on dirt from the car. Sometimes it is hard to see until you put the vinyl on, and it protrudes like a bump from under the film. Before vinyl wrapping a section of your car, drag your hand across it to feel for any protrusions that you will have to get rid of for a nice unblemished finish. We recommend clay barring for the smoothest best surface preparation.

#3 Rust

Rust that has eaten through the paint has to be fixed first, as the vinyl wrap will not stick to rust. It is also recommended to fix any rusted areas that are bubbling up under the paint, because it will look the same once the car is wrapped with vinyl film and won’t stop it from continuing to rust. Rust will continue to spread and eat away at your car if it is not gotten rid of, whether you wrap it in vinyl or not.

When rusted areas are patched it is best to add a layer of paint or clear coat as the vinyl will stick to it better than to filler or primer. Wait at least a few days (best to wait a week) for the paint to off-gas, to avoid bubbling of the vinyl from the off-gassing of the freshly painted surface.

Once your car is wrapped in vinyl and you have no rust under it, it will keep it safe from surface rust and stone chips, scratches that could cause rusting from the outside.

What are the benefits of a car wrap?
  1. Vinyl wraps protect your OEM paint and are 100% removable. When you remove it, your paint is in the same condition as on the day it was wrapped. A repainted vehicle normally decreases the value of your vehicle due to concerns over possible previous accident(s).
  2. You can restore the vehicle to its original color by removing the wrap.
  3. Warranties and/or lease agreements are still valid. Painting can void warranties and is not a lease option.
  4. Cost for a vinyl vehicle wrap is considerably less (nearly half) than a comparable paint job.
  5. Many of the styles cannot be reproduced by paint.
  6. Vinyl car wraps wear as well as, or better than paint – when properly cared for. Think of it like a skin for your laptop or a silicon cover for your phone. The vinyl can take a beating protecting the vehicle’s paint underneath.
  7. Vinyl car wraps come in many colors and can have matte, semi-gloss, gloss, brushed steel, carbon fiber, matte metallic, chrome and even leather-like finishes.
  8. Expensive, color-matching paint fees are unnecessary for scratches or accident vehicles; just re-wrap the section that needs repair.
  9. It’s difficult to tell it’s not paint.
  10. You don’t have to wrap your entire car; you can just do your hood, roof, mirrors, stripes, etc.
  11. Matte-paint jobs can be brittle and chip easily, while vinyl are more durable and harder to scratch. If repairs are needed, the part that was damaged can be easily replaced, providing a perfect match.
  12. Hides scratches, small chips and “freshens” the look of your vehicle.
What will vinyl wraps stick to?
The question is what will vinyl NOT stick to. Vinyl adheres nicely to any painted surface; however it has to be clean and rust free. Vinyl wraps WILL NOT stick to ABS Plastic, Rust, Waxed Paint, or anything that is wet or moist. If you have any questions call your Bayou Graphics sales rep and he or she can give you a definitive answer and perhaps offer an alternative solution.

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