Orange vinyl wrap car vehicle and trailer at outdoors

How Long Does Vinyl Wrap Last on a Car?

If you want to grab eyes and turn heads with your ride, vinyl wrapping your vehicle will surely get you noticed. With bold graphics and a slick, seamless application, many companies are turning to vinyl wrap to customize their fleets.

Whether you’re outfitting your company fleet for advertising or recognition, vinyl wrap is an investment. But with one vehicle garnering between 30,000 and 80,000 impressions daily, it’s definitely worth the money. While vinyl wraps win in the attention-grabbing category, they’re not permanent and require proper care and maintenance. Before you take the plunge, let’s answer the question, “How long does vinyl wrap last on a car?”

What is Vinyl Wrap?

Vinyl wrap is a thin, flexible film printed with custom graphics applied directly to your car and sealed with heat. Full vinyl wrap applies to the entire vehicle seamlessly, appearing like the “skin” of your vehicle. Vinyl wrap is fully customizable, so the colors, graphics, text, and finish are up to you. Vinyl wrap is a popular choice for a unique, eye-catching method to modernize your car.

Vehicle wraps are affordable luxuries. They help you reach your marketing goals at a fraction of the cost of traditional advertising. You can elevate the look of your business without the recurring costs of billboard, digital, or print ads that can add up. Once you’ve paid your initial investment, you’re set.

Why Should You Invest in Vinyl Wrap?

For business owners, vinyl wrap is an easy marketing choice. It grabs the attention of every customer who notices your vehicle. When you’re stopped at a traffic light, parked in the driveway, or cruising down the highway, vinyl wrap acts as your on-the-go promotional tool.

Vinyl wraps are flexible and reusable with ease. It’s your roving, interchangeable billboard. You can have them updated to reflect seasonal promotions or specials or adjusted with any updates to the business. You can easily increase your brand exposure with high frequency by taking your marketing to the road. In fact, fleet vehicle advertising increases brand recognition 15 times more than any other advertising.

A full vinyl wrap can often be more cost-effective than an expensive paint job. If you want to protect your vehicle’s paint, vinyl wrap comes in handy. Its removability protects your car’s paint from erosion and leaves no damage when removed.

Your company vehicle typically hits the roads closest to your business, and that’s usually your best potential clientele. By promoting locally, you’re curating a positive sentiment surrounding your brand that you service the local neighborhoods and help your community. The more people who see your brand, the more likely they will remember. By consistently seeing your business, it builds credibility that your customers will notice.

Covering your vehicle in custom designs makes it easily identifiable, reducing the risk of hijacking and theft and helping customers feel more secure when you need to visit their homes. 

These are just some ways vinyl wrap adds value to your business and increases your brand exposure. So, how long does vinyl wrap last on a car? There are several factors to consider that determine how much life you can get out of your vinyl wrap.

Factors Affecting the Lifespan of Vinyl Wraps

Erosion to your vinyl wrap occurs over time due to weather pollution and various other factors. Weather can greatly affect the lifespan of your vinyl wraps. But with proper care and maintenance, you can keep it looking top-notch for years to come. Preventative care saves you time and money later by making your wrap last longer.

Factors that can damage your vinyl wrap include:

  • Weather
  • UV exposure
  • Humidity 
  • Outdoor storage
  • Cleaning and maintenance 
  • Wrap quality 

How to Maintain Your Vinyl Wrap to Extend Its Lifespan

You wouldn’t buy a new car and never get an oil change. Owning a vehicle means investing time and energy into its cleaning and maintenance. Vinyl wrap isn’t meant to last permanently, but with proper care, you can extend the life of your vinyl for many years. And having a moving ad for your business makes vinyl wraps worth it. 

Tips for proper vinyl wrap maintenance include:

  • Prep Your Vehicle. Before application, a two-step clean on your vehicle will prepare it for the vinyl wrap. Thoroughly clean your vehicle to remove any dirt, grime, dust, bugs, or grease. A vinyl wrap technician will go over the vehicle with alcohol and other agents to ensure a smooth application. 
  • Proper Storage. Keeping your vehicle in a garage or under a carport lowers exposure to the elements, which can cause premature damage to the wrap.
  • Regular Cleaning. Vinyl wrapping requires a little TLC. Get in the habit of regularly cleaning your vehicle every week or two. It protects your car from pollutants and erosion. Your vehicle represents your brand. A clean vehicle shows off your company in a positive light.
  • Avoid Automated Car Washes. With high levels of water pressure, a drive-thru car wash can do you more damage than good. The jets can cause premature peeling, and cleaning chemicals can cause colors to fade. The coarse bristles of the cleaning brushes may even scratch or damage your vinyl.
  • Avoid Chemical Cleaners. Warm water and soap will do the trick without the potential damage of harsh cleaners. Gently rub the area with a soft microfiber cloth. For tough stains, use denatured alcohol.

How Long Does Vinyl Wrap Last on a Car?

The lifespan of your vinyl wrap depends on multiple factors, including the finish, exposure to elements, and proper maintenance. Of course, all these things assume a qualified professional like those at Lettering Express wrapped the vehicles in your fleet. A properly installed and cared for professional wrap should last five to seven years. 

Signs that You Need to Replace Your Vinyl Wrap

You want your vinyl wrap to last as long as possible. We get it! It’s an investment. But after years in the elements, your wrap may start to look a little worse for wear. It might be time for a replacement. 

Signs it’s time to update your vinyl wrap include: 

  • Fading. The bright colors and bold graphics printed on vinyl graphics are durable. But with repeated sun and weather exposure, those colors can fade over time. 
  • Peeling. Pollutants or debris from the road can cause the vinyl to peel. It may be difficult to notice at first, but without proper maintenance, it can quickly spread. 
  • Cracking. If your vinyl wrap is showing signs of cracking, it’s time to take action. Too much sun exposure can cause the vinyl to split or develop air bubbles that lead to tears. Wear and tear is normal, but it can affect your brand image. 
  • Your Branding Changes. Your vinyl-wrapped vehicle should reflect your current branding. Whether it’s fonts, graphics, or colors, maintaining consistent branding is an essential part of owning a business. A potential customer may be confused if your branding doesn’t match your website, office, or apparel. 
  • Your Wrap is Old. If you feel you aren’t getting as many leads from your vinyl-wrapped vehicle, it may be time to try a new design! After seeing the same design repeatedly, viewers may start ignoring it. Try a fresh look every five years or so to grab attention and attract leads. 

A fresh, clean vinyl wrap isn’t just nice to look at. It’s good for business! Your brand matters. Invest in replacing your vinyl wrap every five to seven years to optimize your potential for lead generation. 

A Worthy Investment

Vinyl wrap is an investment that takes proper care and maintenance, but it will pay off. Taking the time to gently wash each vehicle your fleet, store them away from the elements, and watch for any signs of damage will ensure your wrap lasts several years. It’s a cost-effective, creative method that adds value to your business.

Lettering Express provides businesses with the products they need to get noticed and be remembered. Contact us today to design your custom vinyl wrap that will take your business to the next level.