Car wraps usually last anywhere from five to seven years, depending on their care and maintenance, as well as other factors like dirt and exposure to natural elements.
Vinyl wraps have long been a popular choice for those who want to give their vehicles a quick or temporary upgrade. These are a cost-effective, versatile, and long-lasting option. But what if you’ve gotten tired of looking at scratches and torn edges on your old wrap? Maybe you want to give your car a more luxurious feel by trying out a chrome car wrap? Or perhaps you simply want something new?
While you can try removing the wrap yourself without damaging your car’s original paint, it’s always better to have it removed by professionals.
But if you really want to go all DIY, we hear you. Here’s a quick guide on how to remove a car wrap, from factors you need to consider before removal to the removal process itself.
Here are a few things you may want to look at before you start removing your old vinyl wrap:
Vehicles that have been professionally wrapped are more likely to have their original paint intact even after the vinyl removal. Wraps that have been installed by non-pros using low-quality or unbranded vinyl wraps can damage your car’s original paint. Additionally, using unsafe adhesive can wreak havoc on your car’s clear coat.
Older wraps are more challenging to remove. The longer they are on the car, the likelier that they’ll leave some adhesive residue or pull off parts of the car’s original paint.
Don’t try to remove your wraps under inclement conditions, such as in direct sunlight or cold weather. These factors can unnecessarily hamper the removal process.
Select a section that you want to work on first—we suggest starting with an edge or a corner. Next, try to loosen the wrap with a heat gun following the manufacturer’s specifications. The heat helps loosen the adhesive and makes it easier to work with.
Avoid leaving the heat gun on one spot for too long as this can cause the vinyl to warp or burn and can damage your car’s paintwork.
Once you’re comfortable with the vinyl’s pliability, you can start to peel it off. Pull it slowly at a 45- or 90-degree angle. This ensures that the vinyl won’t tear or split apart and won’t leave more unwanted residue.
If you feel some resistance, don’t be afraid to use the heat gun to loosen that part.
Using the heat gun during removal helps reduce the amount of adhesive left, but it may still leave behind some residue. You can clean this up with an adhesive residue remover or a solvent. Use a product that’s compatible with the surface that you’re working on, and then scrape away the remaining adhesive.
As you can see, the removal process itself is fairly straightforward, but it helps to keep these best practices in mind before removing your car wrap:
If you’re unsure of your car wrap’s quality or how it was installed, it’s best to leave the removal to the pros at Auto SuperShield. They are a high-end auto service that specializes in handling luxury vehicles, so you know you’re in good hands.
Auto SuperShield specialists are equipped with the right tools and the knowledge to properly removing your old wrap without damaging your vehicle. Once you’re satisfied with the removal, you can easily plan your next design upgrade with them. Their in-house design team delivers high-quality craftsmanship with every project.
At Auto SuperShield, you can choose from high-quality wraps that will keep your car looking pristine and protected from the elements at the same time.
Visit their website now to take a look at their chrome car wrap offerings.
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