Vehicle Signage

Cast Vinyl is the most common material used in vehicle wraps. A cast vinyl starts as a liquid and is cast into a sheet or form and then processed through ovens, evaporating solvents in the liquid. When the solvents evaporate, the remainder is a solid film usually between 2mm (printable media) to 4mm (solid colour) thick. Cast films conform well to curved shapes and strongly retain their original shape. This durability of shape allows for predictability on application and in applying heat to relax the material back to its natural form after modest stretching. Cast vinyls are less prone to shrinkage because stress (such as extrusion as in calendared films) is not applied to the material during the manufacturing process.

Car Wraps are one of the most cost-effective forms of signage advertising. Made from high quality vinyl, we create eye-catching messages and stunning full-colour graphics, converting your car into premium advertising space. Visible whether on the road or in the carpark, car wraps are a wise choice for generating new business and increasing brand awareness.

Vehicle Signage FAQs

What is a vehicle wrap?

A vehicle wrap is a process whereby some or all of your cars’ surface areas are covered with a high-quality self-adhesive vinyl, effectively ‘wrapping’ the car with vinyl. The wrap may feature full-colour digitally printed designs or they may be completed with any of the hundreds of solid type colours that are now available.

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How long does a vinyl wrap last?

Typically, here in Melbourne, most vinyl wraps should last at least 3 years, however it depends on several factors such as the skill level of the installer, exposure to the weather, the type of vinyl used and how well you take care of the wrap. We see many of our customers’ vehicles driving around town that we wrapped more than 5 years ago and they still look as great now as they did the day we completed the work.

Most of the vinyl manufacturers (3M, Avery, Arlon, Hexis) suggest that the vinyl material will last up to 5 years on vertical surfaces, however some of the specialist products such as chrome, have a shorter life expectancy (1-2 years). Horizontal surfaces, such as the bonnet, roof or boot lid of a car, will generally show signs of wear first as they are the areas that take the full brunt of the sun and the rain.

You can extend the life of your vinyl wrap through hand washing and storing your car in a garage out of the elements of the weather, as prolonged exposure to the sun and rain is detrimental to the vinyl over time.

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Will a vinyl wrap damage the paint on my car?

Assuming the car has original (OEM) paintwork and that the paintwork is in good condition, then there is very little chance that the wrap will damage the paintwork. The paint under the wrap is actually protected from the harsh UV rays of the sun, exposure to the elements, and minor scratches, however, if your vehicle has been repainted then there is no guarantee that the paint will be perfect when you remove the vinyl wrap.

Something to consider when choosing a wrap company to complete your project is the experience of the installer, as an inexperienced installer could inadvertently damage the paint on your vehicle while the installation is taking place. Make sure that the installers that are going to install your wrap know how to do so without cutting on the paint of your vehicle, as any cuts will not be visible to you until the wrap is removed.

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What are the advantage of wrapping a car versus painting?

There are many specialized finishes such as brushed aluminum, chromes, matte metallic and textured materials such as carbon fiber that are simply not available in paint. However, the obvious advantage is that a vinyl wrap is not permanent and is removable at any time, so if you wish to change the car back to its’ original colour then it is a fairly simple process to remove the wrap.

Car wrapping is often viewed as a form of car customization, and although you might love your new choice of colour, there is no guarantee that when it comes time to sell the vehicle that the prospective buyer will like your colour choice. A vinyl wrap can be easily removed and/or changed, whereas paint is very, VERY permanent!

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Is it cheaper to wrap a car than paint it?

It’s hard to say if a paint job or wrap is more or less expensive than one another because it really depends on the type of materials used, the quality of each job and who is doing it.

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What vinyl material do you use to wraps a vehicle?

The product used depends on the needs of the vehicle and the preference of the client, as some colours or vinyl types are offered by certain manufacturers and not others. Where possible, we prefer to use 3M, Avery or Hexis products as we are certified in installing these products and have a sound knowledge of the characteristics of the materials.

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Can a vehicle wrap be removed?

Absolutely! In order to remove the wrap, it often requires a large amount of heat and different tools such as heat guns and special rubber friction wheels may be used. In some instances, there can be some adhesive residue left behind once the vinyl is peeled back. We have special citrus-based cleaners that remove this without harming the paintwork.

To avoid damage to your vehicle and injury to yourself, it is recommended that you pay a professional to remove the wrap.

Note: Particularly with non OEM paintwork and where a car has been repaired, there is no guarantee that a vinyl wrap will not remove any paint from your vehicle. Whilst every effort is taken to make sure your paint is not damaged when removing the wrap, there is no guarantee if your vehicle includes any aftermarket products.

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Can you design our vehicle wrap or do I have to provide the artwork?

Our experienced designers will work with you to create designs that range from simple, solid colors to very detailed designs. The design process involves several stages and revisions to ensure that you are totally happy with the design before we move the job into the production stage.

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Does the wrap have to cover the entire vehicle?

Not necessarily. The percentage of the vehicle covered is entirely up to you, the customer. Please be aware that partial wraps will only partially protect the paintwork underneath, as when the wrap is removed the paintwork that was protected under the wrap will be like new, whereas the paint left exposed to the weather will possibly be slightly dull.

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Can you install wraps over windows?

Yes, you can install wraps over most glass windows (generally the side and rear windows). In these instances, we use a special perforated vinyl material that allows you to still see clearly out of the car. This vinyl is often referred to as a ‘one-way vision’ material, as it looks like regular opaque vinyl from the outside but still allows visibility from the inside looking out. This is our preferred method of installing wraps over glass windows because it is safer when driving as it does not reduce or limit your vision.

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How much does it cost to wrap a vehicle?

There are several factors that vary the cost of a wrap. These include the type of material used, the amount of material used and on a commercial application, the design time to create the design. Be sure to check out our pricing pages to get a better idea of the costs involved for vehicle wrapping.

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