Give your car the finish it deserves

Whether it was carriage doors adorned with family crests or even racing cars featuring affluent brands, vehicle advertising has been around for a while. It is an effective form of advertising that differentiates a vehicle from other vehicles, offers coverage and exposure to a vast audience with relatively little effort. However effective vehicle advertising, specifically an effective car wrap, is an art. It’s an art we’ve mastered and take great pride sharing with you. Read more below to find how you can ensure you get the perfect car wrap.

What is a car wrap?

A car wrap is a large vinyl graphic, which is applied directly over the original paint of a vehicle. The resulting effect is mobile advertising that increases your brand’s visibility. Similarly, when not used for commercial purposes, it allows you to simply change the colour of your vehicle as well as protect the original paint job from day-to-day damage and wear and tear.

Secret 1: Plan & prepare

It is no secret that before you set out to wrap your car you must have a finish in mind. It’s why we always encourage an open discussion with our clients to find out their ideal outcome and particular needs. It ensures that the necessary time is taken to explore what exactly the purpose of the car wrapping will be; protection and preservation of your original paint job or to advertise your business. This will also give you insights into how to design your wrap and where exactly the graphics will be placed. Ultimately, the design is just as important as the application of the car wrapping; attention to detail is the name of the game and the go-to solution for avoiding expensive mistakes.

Secret 2: Choosing the right style for your car wrapping – Two styles, one goal

A vehicle wrap can be carried out in one of two ways:

  • Partial wrap

As the name implies, a partial wrap focuses on covering only a portion of the vehicle, while the other parts of the vehicle will still show the original paint job. Examples of some applications of partial wrap Ricky Richards has carried out include when companies add just their logo or contact details. Sometimes less is more, and the balance between your original paint job and wrap can be a unique opportunity to showcase your creativity if carried out correctly.

  • Full wrap

By comparison, a full wrap covers your entire vehicle in a way that makes it impossible to tell where the wrap starts and ends. This means that the canvas for creativity and chance to make a statement runs from bumper to bumper of your vehicle.

Secret 3: Selecting the right material

This is vitally important. All the creative design in the world can’t make up for a poor choice in material. The choice of material usually follows the style you opt for and largely your preference. For instance, if you have opted for a full wrap then cast film is an appropriate choice. Cast film offers almost unrivalled conformability making it a great option for covering each curve and rivet of your car. What’s more is that it is durable ensuring that once applied it will stay in place for years to come, giving your whole car that ‘paint-like’ finish you desire.

On the other hand, calendared films are not as effective when dealing with complex curvatures and designs so some degree of material lifting can be expected. Furthermore, they are not likely to last as long as their cast film counterparts. They are, however, an effective choice if you are looking to cover simple curves and flat surfaces but don’t want to break the bank. They are an ideal choice for partial wraps.

Secret 4: Maintenance, maintenance, maintenance

We understand the excitement of having a new wrap and showing it off to the world. However, just as important as getting the perfect wrap, is ensuring you maintain and care for it to get the very best out of it.

You should wash your wrap once a week. In cases, where your car is exposed to substantial dirt, it should be washed more often than once a week. Use a gentle automotive detergent with an automotive sponge to carry out the cleaning. Once cleaned, rinse your car with clear water and dry it with a clean microfiber cloth. Carry out this regime religiously and your wrap will thank you for it by maintaining its appearance for years to come.

Secret 5: Professional installation

There never seems to be a shortage of companies claiming to be professionals and yet there seem to be too many vehicles driving around with poorly finished wraps. Expert installers have a vast amount of experience installing wraps, and it is this experience that grants them a unique set of skills and techniques that guarantees a quality finish. Our experience is a key contributor to our continued success and standard of service. From prepping your vehicle properly for the process to meticulous placing the wrap on each panel, Ricky Richards is your leading choice. We’ll walk you through the process and ensure you get the finish you want and deserve.

As a family owned company with a heritage of being Australia’s number one distributor of industrial and commercial textiles, Ricky Richards continues to offer both unrivalled quality and variety. Contact us today to discuss your car wrap needs. We have a solution for you.