Wrapping a car

What Cars Can’t Be Wrapped

Car wraps are the quickest and easiest way to restyle your car or give it a fresh, new look without the permanence of a paint job. Unfortunately, it doesn’t work for all vehicles. These wraps adhere best to smooth, intact surfaces, so you might not get the best results in some cases. So even though car wraps may offer a stylish and temporary transformation, there are limits to what this film can do.

Car Wraps

Cars That Can’t Handle Wraps

While car wraps are an excellent way to customize and protect a vehicle, not all cars can be wrapped. Here are some instances when they don’t work:

  1. Peeling or chipped paint – Vehicle wraps need a smooth base or foundation to stick to, but if peeling, chipped, or cracked paint is present the adhesive will have trouble holding onto it and might actually peel reveal the imperfections. Ideally, films should only be installed on factory-painted vehicles.
  2. Rust-damage – Exposed rust creates an uneven and dirty appearance and the loose rust particles make it difficult for vinyl wraps to stick. Applying a car wrap over a rusty surface can also cause your rust problem to worsen as the trapped moisture underneath can ex the corrosion.
  3. Deep scratches or dents– As mentioned earlier, films work ideally with smooth surfaces, so those with significant scratches or dents will cause the vinyl to stretch or tear. Fix the damaged area first to prevent bubbles or uneven end result.
  4. Classic or sports cars – Cars with a unique shape or condition make them difficult to wrap, like retro cars and trucks. Most classic sports cars feature curved, single-piece body shapes or intricate contours that make it difficult for the film to adhere smoothly. Sports cars, on the other hand, often have aerodynamic designs with sharp lines, deep recesses, and more aggressive curves. Wrapping a truck also poses the same problem because its unique body shape makes it difficult to apply the film evenly.
  5. High-gloss finish – Some luxury cars can be challenging to wrap because high-gloss finishes can be very slick, which can make it difficult for the adhesive to grip securely. This can result in the wrap peeling or not sitting flush with the surface, especially around edges and curves.
  6. Red, white, and yellow autos – Technically, these colors can be wrapped, but they present unique challenges like color bleed-through and edge visibility. Unlike darker colors like brown or black, lighter colors like red, white, and yellow are more likely to show through the vinyl wrap. This can create an uneven or inconsistent appearance, particularly if the wrap layer is thin or not applied perfectly. The remedy is to use films in some relatively close colors. White cars, for example, can be wrapped with white vinyl or matte white.
  7. Vehicles with textured surfaces – Some cars have textured surfaces or non-standard finishes, like matte or rough coatings. These surfaces make it hard for the vinyl to bond correctly, causing poor adhesion and potential peeling over time.
  8. Unpainted plastic – Wrapping unpainted plastic can be problematic because vinyl doesn’t adhere well to untreated surfaces. Plastics that are textured or porous, such as those often found on door handles, bumpers, or trim pieces, can prevent the wrap from sticking effectively. The same is true for rubberized areas like wheels and solar panels.

 

Car wrapping process

 

Limitations of Vehicle Wraps on Modern Cars

Installing a wrap is not meant to hide flaws on any vehicle, so if your car or truck has paint scratches or deep dents, a wrap won’t fix it. In fact, the car wrap might accentuate these imperfections by conforming to them, making the flaws more noticeable.

A smooth installation is crucial to prevent future paint flaking in wrapped cars. Paint chips should be sanded down before wrapping. It is also best to apply a clear coat to protect the car wrap and the car’s paint. Films require a clean and dry base to adhere properly. Make sure the vehicle is free of dirt, dust, and other contaminants before you install wraps.

Alternatives to Vinyl Wraps for Problematic Cars

Consider a paint job instead of a wrap for cars with scratches or dents. For cars with rusty surfaces, consider repairing the area before wrapping. If your car’s original paint is peeling or flaking, consider repainting the car before wrapping. And if you have a car with complex curves or irregular shapes, consider using multiple vinyl pieces with overlapping layers. And if your car can’t be wrapped, consider other customization materials, such as carbon fiber, decals, or stickers.