CLIENT RESOURCES
Resources to help make the most of your wrapping experience; from questions to ask your wrapper, artwork uploads, and wrap care and warranties.
QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR WRAPPER
(AND THE ANSWERS YOU NEED TO HEAR)
Q
How do you seal the edges around doors?
A
Possible options: Wrap around, trimmed or paint on sealer
AVOID: Paint on sealer. This is a nightmare to remove and if done incorrectly can discolour your paint job
Q
How is the wrap removed?
A
Possible Options: Heat and peel or heat, steam and peel or heat, steam, peel and scrape
AVOID: Anything with the word scrape in it! When you make the initial enquiries about having your vehicle wrapped, don’t just think about the wrap going on – think about how you’re going to get it off! Some materials can decay over time, so when you try to remove them they come off in tiny little scraps. This means a full de-wrapping can take 8+ hours, specialist equipment and a lot of cursing. The other big issue with cheap materials? They can discolour the paintwork underneath the wrap, leaving you with a lasting impression of whatever your previous artwork was. Choose the highest quality materials for durability and ease of removal; don’t take the risk of having to re-spray your vehicle after it has been wrapped.
Q
Do you remove obstacles (like door handles, indicators, mirrors etc.) to wrap?
A
Possible options: Yes, No, Sometimes
AVOID: Sometimes or no. If you’re having your car fully wrapped, pay attention to how it’s done – your mates or your customers certainly will! A wrap that is simply trimmed around obstacles like door handles and badges can fail more quickly as the edges aren’t sealed or protected. A qualified, experience wrapper will have no problem removing and replacing obstacles like door handles to make sure the job is done properly.
Q
Are the inks you use UV stabilised and safe for my paint job?
A
Possible options: Yes, No, I have no idea.
AVOID: No and especially I have no idea! Firstly, any wrapper that doesn’t know exactly what’s in his inks or what they’re capable of is not a professional. Walk away. If your wrapper knows his product but says no, please be aware that UV and heat exposure (sunlight, in other words) can cause dark inks to bleed through the vinyl and imprint onto the paintwork underneath, particularly if your paint is white or a light colour.
HOW TO GET THE BEST RESULT FROM YOUR VEHICLE WRAP
1. Only wrap a vehicle that’s in good condition
This doesn’t mean the car has to be brand new! Vintage, hot rods and sports cars are all suitable for wrapping, however ruined paint work, rust and general damage can’t be warranted
2. Work with a professional graphic or artistic designer
This really is one of those instances where you get what you pay for. A professional designer can create jaw dropping graphics that really convey your brand message, plus they can supply files suitable for our state of the art printers
3. Choose an experienced and well-recommended wrapping business
There are hundreds of different vinyls, printers and inks available on the market but after 18 years of experience in vehicle and commercial wrapping we can tell you we wouldn’t go anywhere near 90% of them. Gold Coast Wraps uses only the best quality materials from reputable manufacturers that offer proper warranties.
Beware “cheap” quotes
Don’t risk a dodgy install! A discounted or cheaper price usually means the wrapper is using an inferior product, doesn’t know what they’re doing or has limited experience. Buyer beware!
WRAP CARE
CARING FOR YOUR VEHICLE GRAPHICS & WRAPS
Care for your vehicle graphics like you would any fine paint finish. Use high quality products designed specifically for car care and these cleaning and maintenance procedures will help keep your vehicle graphics looking their best.
WASH REGULARLY
Wash whenever the car appears dirty. Contaminants allowed to remain on the wrap may be more difficult to remove during cleaning.
Rinse off as much dirt and grit as possible with a spray of water.
Then, use a wet, non-abrasive detergent such as Meguiar’s NXT Generation Car Wash or Deep Crystal Car Wash. Wash with a soft, clean cloth or sponge.
Rinse thoroughly with clean water. We recommend using a hose, not a pressure washer. To reduce water spotting, immediately use a silicone squeegee to remove water and finish with a clean microfibre cloth.
IMPORTANT NOTES
We do not recommend using wax or other similar coatings on vehicle graphics.
We do not recommend using automatic car washes.
DIFFICULT CONTAMINANTS & SPOT CLEANING
Soften difficult contaminants such as bug splatter, bird droppings, tree sap and similar contaminants by soaking them for several minutes with hot, soapy water. Rinse thoroughly and dry.
If further cleaning is needed, test an appropriate product such as Meguiar’s Gold Class Bug and Tar Remover in an inconspicuous area to ensure no damage to the graphics. Spot clean the contaminants. Do not use rough scrubbing or abrasive tools, which will scratch the film. Wash and rinse off all residue immediately.
FUEL SPILLS
Wipe off immediately to avoid degrading the vinyl and adhesive. Then wash, rinse and dry as in the standard washing instructions.
STORE INDOORS OR UNDER COVER WHENEVER POSSIBLE
Vinyl graphics (just like paint) are degraded by prolonged exposure to sun and atmospheric pollutants, particularly on the horizontal surfaces such as bonnet, boot lid and roof.
Whenever possible, store in a garage or at least in a shaded area during the day. At night protect the car from dew or rain, which may contain acidic pollutants (a common problem in many large metropolitan areas).
When a garage is not available, consider using a cloth car cover at night. If your graphics start to discolour or turn brown, immediately remove the graphics from the vehicle to avoid staining the underlying paint.
VINYL WARRANTIES
All of the vinyl installed by Gold Coast Wraps is fully accredited by the vinyl manufacturers and and carries the full manufacturers' warranty. For all of the details, select your vinyl manufacturer below.
Not sure which vinyl brand you have? Please ask your installer or give us a call!
CLIENT FILE UPLOAD
Ready to send us your artwork? Upload your file to our Dropbox below.