Trends in the automotive industry tend to have a long lifespan, mostly because cars are so complex to build and alter! When working in an auto body shop, especially one that does detailing and painting, it’s always best for professionals to keep track of what’s current, in case a customer makes a special request.
Recently, quite a few auto clients have been opting for vinyl wraps over more traditional auto painting jobs. This includes private car owners looking to stand out when driving around, and businesses who want to use vehicles to display their brand for advertising purposes.
Read on to discover how auto professionals apply this popular vinyl wrapping on vehicles.
Vinyl Body Wrap Versus Automotive Painting
While having a car painted the traditional way is still appealing to many, auto body students should know the reasons why some are opting for this new method as well:
- Resale Value: When a car is painted, it loses the original factory colour. If an owner wants to re-sell it at some point in the future and the potential buyer doesn’t like the choice of vinyl body wrap, the wrap can be removed.
- Cost: Vinyl wraps can cost the customer anywhere from $500 to $5,000. Repainting generally costs between $2,000 and $10,000.
- Advertising: If a car or truck is being used partially for advertising purposes, then it may be easier to emblazon the logo of the company or brand on the car with a vinyl body wrap.
This is not to say that everyone is going the vinyl route. In fact, an automotive painting job still has quite a few advantages to customers, such as:
- Durability: Paint does not chip or degrade as easily as vinyl. A properly done paint job will last longer than vinyl.
- Maintenance: Paint is easier to maintain. While a vinyl job may cost less initially, the costs add up when you calculate long-term maintenance.
Vinyl Wrap Tips for Auto Body Pros
If your automotive career leads to working with vinyl wrap, your superior skills can set you apart from the crowd. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:
- Prep Work: Before applying vinyl to a vehicle, it is important that the surface is properly cleaned and there are no bumps whatsoever on the existing paint job. A small scratch or a bug stuck on the paint can look like a mountain when the vinyl is applied.
- Stretching: It is important to stretch the vinyl out when applying it to the vehicle. It is also a good idea to pre-stretch when applying to concave panels like bumpers. Experience with the material will teach you how much it needs to be stretched
- Complete Covering: It is advisable to wrap everything, even the parts you can’t see. Remember, you will be able to cut all the unneeded parts away later.
- Post-covering: it is a good idea to use a squeegee or similar device to smooth out any bumps or rough edges. Post-heating is also advisable, followed by another flattening with the squeegee.
Do you think you’ll pursue auto painting or vinyl wrapping after completing your auto body training in Surrey?
