Archive | July 2015

Paint vs. Vinyl Car Wrap

Paint vs Vinyl Car Wrap
Many inquisitive car owners often wonder whether they should get their vehicles painted or wrapped in vinyl. Most experts recommend getting vinyl car wraps in Brisbane rather than a paint job done. There are several reasons as to why choosing the former can be more beneficial than going for the latter. Some of the primary reasons are as follows:

Cost

A paint job of high quality can cost no less than a few thousand bucks depending on the paint shop, colour and quality of paints used. However, vinyls installed professionally using the best quality materials will often cost some hundreds. Moreover, it will also last longer than paintwork, sometimes for more than 5 or even 8 years.

Resale Value

Maintaining the original paintwork of a car can help to keep its resale value intact. Sometimes the owner’s favourite colour may not be a preference of the buyer. Some purchasers even seek for the factory colour. Therefore, wrapping a car can help to retain the resale value of a car.

Myriad of Options

With the help of vinyl wraps, the appearance of a car can be modified as many times as desired without having to alter its factory colour. The original colour can also be retrieved just by removing the wrap. On the other hand, a car once painted with different colour cannot be reverted back to its original shade.

Installation Time

Paint job on a car can take around a couple of weeks or more than that to be completed. But, getting the same car wrapped with the help of professionals will take no more than 2 to 5 days.

Protection

When a vehicle is covered in a vinyl wrap, the wrap acts like a protective gear against abrasions, scratches, and accumulation of dirt on the paintwork. Thus the paint ages naturally and is not affected by weathering or prolonged exposure to the sun.

Easy Maintenance

After installation of vinyl wrap, you can easily say goodbye to waxing, which can often take tolls on the paint. Vehicle wraps can be maintained quite easily, sometimes a thorough rinse wash with water and soap being sufficient. If the dirt is a bit more stubborn, alcohol and microfiber rag can be used to take care of it.

High Durability

Vinyls of high quality often tend to last for 5 to 8 years, if taken care of properly. Moreover, they can also be removed safely without causing any damage to the paintwork.

Things to Avoid For Maintaining Vehicle Graphics

Things to Avoid For Maintaining Vehicle Graphics-wordpressPeople often spend a great deal of money to get vinyl wraps on their vehicles. Therefore, it is essential to maintain the looks and increase the life of those wraps with proper care. The maintenance measures should not be just regular washing and cleaning with the help of chemicals. You must also be aware of the certain don’ts of vehicle graphics in order to preserve their newly appearance for a long time.

Here are some of the things you should avoid for maintaining vehicle graphics in Brisbane:

Things to Avoid For Maintaining Vehicle Graphics

  • Do not wash your wrapped vehicle using an abrasive cleaner that contains strong solvents. Instead, use a mild cleaner or wash with plenty of water to rinse off any debris or residue and then wipe gently with a microfibre cloth.
  • Try not to use a brush for cleaning off dirt and avoid automatic car washes. They can make the finish of your wraps dull, lift loose corners and even leave scratches. Use a rag or soft sponge and scrub gently.
  • Avoid applying excessive pressure during power wash, as it may cause water to seep underneath the wrap, and force it to lift and curl. Keep the pressure under 2000 psi and temperature of the water should not be more than 82 degrees Celsius.
  • Do not spray water directly or at sharp angles on the seams because it may damage the graphics while pressure wash. The nozzle should be kept at least 12 to 18 inches away from the surface at an angle of 45 degrees. For lifted edges of the wrap, trim back the curled corners and seal them using an edge sealer.
  • Do not ever perform power wash using a Turbo pressure nozzle.
  • Waxing is generally not recommended for vehicle wraps. Waxes are heat sensitive and may melt in sunlight. Heat can also release stain in wax, which may ultimately stain the wrap of your vehicle. The greasy substance may attract dirt and cause blackish streaks.
  • Do not apply conventional polishes on any textured, matte or other similar finishes. Instead, use a silicone-based polish that’s specially designed for vehicle wraps. Check the product information for compatibility.
  • Do not leave your wrapped vehicle in an open uncovered space or under direct sunlight. Bad weather conditions can also result in formation of bubbles under your car wrap or cause the edges to lift.

Meticulous care and proper maintenance can significantly increase the longevity of your car wraps.

5 Common Mistakes to Avoid With Fleet Graphics

fleet signage Brisbane
Most of us know that vehicle graphics can be an excellent means to promote and advertise the brand and message of a company. Both small and large businesses in Brisbane are making efficient use of this method to increase their client base as well as sales by having fleet vehicles wrapped in vinyl. If you own an independent business here and have a single commercial vehicle, getting a car, van or truck wrap should be your top priority to brand and grow your trade. However, if you are planning to get all the fleet vehicles wrapped, you will have to be more concerned avoiding some common mistakes because those are going to reduce the life of your graphics.

Given below are 5 common mistakes with fleet graphics that you should avoid:

  • If graphics are applied on surfaces having rust, the wrap will fail to adhere properly at the rusted regions and start to crack or peel off prematurely. For avoiding this mistake, make sure that your wrap company checks all the vehicles thoroughly for rust.
  • If the installation takes place in an extremely cold or hot facility, chances are high that moisture will affect the wrap. Moisture can create bubbles under the wrap or cause it to shrink later on. Hence for getting the job of van or car wraps in Brisbane done, choose a company that has a temperature-controlled location for installation.
  • Sometimes the company that you select may not have proper training for installing fleet graphics and fail to provide desired results. Before considering a particular firm for getting your fleet vehicles wrapped, be sure that it is 3M certified. It is the standard proof that a service provider has industry level training.
  • Avoid choosing a company that does not provide some warranty for its wraps. Most reputed graphics companies provide a written warranty for their work from cracking, fading, peeling or wearing out sooner than expected. Some of the top firms in the market even offer warranty for five years.
  • While conveying the details and specifications for the wraps, try not to throw too much information into the design. Fleet graphics should be simple and legible enough for passers by to read in a moment’s glance.

Advertising through fleet signage in Brisbane can generate around thirty to seventy thousand views every day for a company’s brand. Therefore, it is essential to get a durable installation if you want more and more people to view your messages over a prolonged time period.