How long does a car wrap last, and how Often Do I Need to Wrap My Vehicle?

Whether you’re planning to install (or currently have a wrap on your vehicle), a common question we get asked is “how long does a car wrap last?” And how often it needs to be redone to stay in top shape. 

So how long does a car wrap last? The good news is that with proper care, vehicle wraps can last a long time for a minimal investment! It should be noted, however, that many factors can reduce the lifespan of your car wrap.

How Long Does it Take to Install a Vehicle Wrap?

Every vehicle wrap installation depends on a wide range of factors. Some factors include:

• The condition of the vehicle: all exterior damage needs to be repaired before the vehicle is brought in. This damage can include stone chipping, abrasion or rust. The vehicle additionally needs to be cleaned prior to wrapping. Exterior damage and dirt reduces the effectiveness of the vehicle wrap bonding process, and can result in a sub-optimal installation.

• Vehicle size: compact cars will take less time to wrap than utes, large vans and even buses. This is due to the quantity of materials, cutting required and the additional time it takes to install.

• Wrap size: if the wrap is only partial and takes up a third of the vehicle, the installation will be done faster than if the entire vehicle is fully wrapped.

• Presence of previous wraps: if your vehicle is being re-wrapped, the previous wrap will need to be removed first. If the wrap is old and was subjected to weather damage, it may be more tightly bonded and as a result, time-consuming to remove.

In general, a vehicle wrap can take anywhere from 2-3 days, to over a full working week. Due to the nature of vinyl bonding, a full 12 to 24 hours will also be required to allow the wrap to set into place.

How Long Does a Car Wrap Last?

Vehicle wraps are quite robust! A frequent question we are asked is “will the wrap weaken the paint job on the car?” And our resounding answer is: no! (Provided, of course, that you aren’t installing a wrap over fresh paint.) In fact, vehicle wraps act as a protective barrier over the paint job, thus preserving it should you decide to remove the wrap at a later date.

But how long does a car wrap last after it’s been installed? The answer depends on the above factors, as well as weather exposure and vehicle cleaning methods. Generally speaking, a car wrap can last up to five years if well-maintained. 3M claims that a vehicle wrap can last as long as three years or up to 36,000 miles (about 58,000 km), whichever comes first.

How Often Do I Need to Wrap My Vehicle?

Vehicle wraps need to be re-installed every 3-5 years. If you want make your car wrap last longer, consider washing your vehicle by hand and avoiding pressure washers. (If you choose a pressure washer, maintain plenty of distance from the vehicle or wash on a lower intensity to avoid peeling the wrap off).

Furthermore, consider having your vehicle wrap installed by a graphics design company that specialises in high-quality vinyl wraps. Go Graphics is especially experienced within this area!

Go Graphics

Whether it’s for your personal vehicle or for a fleet of company-owned cars, vehicle wraps are one of the best, most cost-effective ways to advertise! Get in touch with Go Graphics and our specialised team will work with you to design and install long-lasting and attention grabbing vehicle wraps.