Here, we’ll give you the common mistakes people get trapped into while installing new vinyl graphics for their vehicles.
Most amateurs nowadays think by following Youtube videos, they’ll hack the process of installing new
vehicle wraps. In our honest recommendation, the only foolproof way to avoid vinyl wrapping mistakes is to hire a professional. However, it is still important to point out some of the mistakes you can avoid if you decide to go the DIY way. Here, we’ll give you the common mistakes people get trapped into while installing new vinyl graphics for their vehicles.
1. Poor Cleaning and Preparation
The first step while making a vehicle wrap is making sure the surface is squeaky clean. The surface of the car has to be thoroughly cleaned before installing vinyl wraps to avoid lifting off. A dirty surface will most likely leave empty spaces and make your car look bumpy. To avoid running into such issues make sure you thoroughly clean your car in a multistage cleaning process to minimize any chance of contamination. A poorly prepared surface can cost you a lot if you’re not careful.
2. Improper Measuring
Can you measure your car’s surface to a tee? Sure, you have had your car for a while but knowing the exact measurement of your car takes an expert. If you take improper measurements while getting a vinyl wrap, you risk ruining your whole project. Even worse, when the measurements are less than projected, it is likely that you’ll end up paying more.
3. Using The Heat Gun In The Wrong Way
Most first-timers get confused on how much heat they’ll need in the heat gun to apply vinyl graphics. If you focus too much on the temperature, you might not follow how well the vinyl sticks to the car. An ideal starting point for any newbie would be using a hairdryer with very low settings and slightly increasing the heat in case the sticker doesn't stay. Continue with the same process until you’ve reached the required temperature.
4. Poor Post-Installation Procedures
Once you’re done installing vinyl graphics, the process doesn’t stop there. There are two main processes that must be completed to finalize the
vinyl wrap
installation in vehicles. First, you need to give your car proper curing time. This gives the wrap enough time to fully stick to its surface and avoid any chances of bubbles forming. Also, you need to do post-heating to wipe out the “sticking memory” of the films and make it seal better.
5. Not Hiring A Professional
As mentioned earlier, the most common mistake newbie wrappers do is not hiring a professional and going the DIY-way. Sure, some wrapping will be successful but the success rate is well below the average of expert installers. Hire a team that is dedicated to vehicle wrapping, has tons of experience, and is trustworthy. Your car wrap is a serious investment and getting a professional is the best decision you can make to guard it.
We hope you’re now one step ahead in vinyl wraps installation and you’ll do your best to avoid these mistakes when choosing to do the wrapping by yourself. If you have any questions and want to choose professional, expert vehicle wrap installers, please contact us at Top Line Tints & Audio today!
