Have you ever been driving on the street or freeway, and comes across a car wrap that probably started out as a good idea, but now it looks like something you wouldn’t want to inflict on your worst enemy? If so, then you’ve likely borne witness to one of the driving world’s cruelest creations: a poorly done DIY car wrap.
According to Lucent Wraps, a car wrap speciality company that serves consumers and businesses, here are the three DIY car wrap mistakes that cause the most damage, and inflict the most pain, suffering and agony on the road:
- Incorrect Installation
Have you ever looked at the tattered, strewn-out remains of what was supposed to be a beautiful bunk bed set or media center, and felt like suing the manufacturer for claiming that installation was “easy” or “simple”? (Sorry if I’m conjuring up any traumatic IKEA memories!).
Well, dial up that complexity and frustration by about 100, and you’re getting close to the DIY car wrap self-installation experience. Forget about what you see on the package or website. The process is extremely difficult. Even the tiniest speck of dust can lead to bubbling, and the smallest, imperceptible trace of oil or silicon can cause adhesion problems.
And I haven’t even talked about post-installation; well, until now. There’s an entire phase that must be handled appropriately after a car wrap is installed, including meticulously trimming excess vinyl so that it doesn’t flap in the wind – and get noticed on the road for all of the wrong reasons.
- Using Cheap Vinyl
Sometimes, cheap doesn’t just mean “too-good-to-be-true” pricing that, alas, fulfils that lousy expectation. Cheap can also mean low quality, in the sense that manufacturers spend all of their money on marketing and advertising, and not enough on making something that will last. Regardless of how much you pay for it, low quality vinyl will wreck a car wrap within months. Sometimes, within weeks.
- Using the Wrong Vinyl Type
“Aha!” some of you intrepid DIYers may be thinking, “I never cut corners and will make sure I buy top quality vinyl.” That’s a step in the right direction – but it’s not enough. Even among acceptable quality manufacturers (e.g. Avery, 3M, etc.). There are various types for different applications. Choosing the wrong one will lead to stretching, bubbling, distorted coloring, and so on.
The Moral to this Cautionary Tale
If you’re an avowed DIYer, then more power to you. There are plenty of situations where you’ll save money, time and stress by rolling up your sleeves, and doing the job yourself. But when it comes things like fixing your roof and wrapping your car, do yourself a big favor and turn to the experts. You’ll be glad you did — and so will everyone else on the road who sees you!