When you get a vehicle wrap, you will be given instructions as to the proper care and maintenance of that wrap. However, even if you follow all of these instructions, damage can still occur. When that happens, you will inevitably find yourself wondering if the damage can be repaired. A repair option is much more appealing than a total replacement, mainly because repair tends to be much cheaper. So, can your damaged wrap be repaired or not?
Can My Damaged Car Wrap Be Repaired?
To answer this question, you must first consider the age of the vehicle wrap. These vinyl wraps have a lifespan of 5-7 years, so think about when this job was done. When a vinyl wrap is degrading due to old age, you will see a lot of cracking and peeling. You will also likely see fading and discolored spots. When you are dealing with a wrap that is near or past its expiration date, a repair is not an option.
You should also look at how widespread the damage might be. If the damage is concentrated in one or two particular areas, a repair is probably an option. Most vehicle wraps are not done as a single piece, so it is possible to remove and replace one section of the wrap. For instance, if all the damage is concentrated in the trunk area, you can just have the trunk re-wrapped.
Finally, you need to consider the purpose of the vehicle wrap. Sometimes, a vinyl patch can be used to cover minor damage, but this might not be a good idea for a promo vehicle. Promotional vehicles need to look impressive at all times, so patching might not be the way to go. In a case like that, it is better to get a partial or full replacement.
How Are Damaged Vehicle Wraps Repaired?
It is possible to use a small vinyl patch for minor repairs. This is especially good for clear wraps, as the patch job is much easier to hide. By overlapping the edges of the patch with the original wrap, a near-seamless job can be done. However, this is only done for the most minor of repairs. Most wrap repairs will require the entire section to be replaced.
The company that did your wrap should retain a copy of the design file. This is done specifically for the purpose of making repair easier. Thus, they can just pull up the design and re-print the appropriate sections. If your existing wrap has faded a little bit, any good vehicle wrap company will be able to match that shade and create a good match. If you are using a different company, you can probably get the original company to send a copy of the design file.
They will begin by cleaning the affected area and removing the remnants of the old wrap. Plastic blades are used to cut and smooth the wrap, while heat is used to make it shrink into place. After that, any folds or wrinkles will be carefully removed so that the work is neatly hidden.
Should You DIY a Vinyl Vehicle Wrap Repair?
There is a very simple answer here, and that answer is no. Doing a DIY vehicle wrap is not an option for most people. First of all, it takes specialized equipment to do this sort of thing. We mentioned earlier that these wraps are printed in sections, but that doesn’t mean you can print them on your desktop. It takes very large and specialized printers to do this kind of thing.
Apart from the equipment that is involved, there is also the expertise. Wrapping a flat surface is relatively easy. To be honest, most people could probably manage that. However, your vehicle will mostly consist of curved surfaces, and these are a bit more tricky. When doing curved surfaces, you will undoubtedly see wrinkling and crinkling of the wrap. If you don’t know how to remove those ugly folds, your car could end up looking like an ill-wrapped Christmas gift.
How to Repair Small Damages on a Vinyl Car Wrap
As we said earlier, small damages can usually be repaired with a vinyl patch. This will often need to be done after a minor collision. It is even possible to do this as a DIY job, but only if you have the knowledge to do it correctly. The first step is to thoroughly clean the surface and remove any dirt, grime, oil, or wax. Then, a sanding block is used to gently remove whatever remains of the damaged wrap.
Next, measure the area to be covered. Cut your vinyl patch so that it’s just an inch or two larger on all sides. This will allow it to overlap with the existing wrap and create a complete covering. However, you don’t want too much overlap, or your patch will be a lot more visible. Finally, a heat gun or hair dryer is used to help adhere the patch in place. Even though the process is simple, the whole thing requires a lot of precision.
Conclusion
Thankfully, most damaged car wraps can be repaired. Unless you are talking about age degradation or extensive damage, it isn’t that hard to replace a section of vinyl wrapping. However, it does require the right experts to get the job done correctly. That is why you should call our team here at Tupp Signs for all your vehicle wrapping needs, including repair. There is usually no need to replace a damaged wrap, nor any need to take the risk of doing DIY repairs. For the finest wrap repair services (and many other signage and branding solutions), you can call us at 302-322-1600.