The short answer
A good vinyl wrap lasts 5 to 8 years, on a car, a pickup or a whole fleet. That goes for colour changes and for printed commercial wraps. Cut vinyl decals and lettering last longer: the cast vinyl we use for them is rated for up to 8 to 12 years outdoors, depending on the film and colour. We don't recommend leaving a wrap on longer than eight years: after that, it gets harder to remove cleanly.
What makes a wrap last
The vinyl. We use 3M, and Avery when a customer wants one of its more unusual colours. Premium vinyl holds its colour longer, stays put on curves and comes off cleanly years later. Cheaper film is where most wrap problems start.
The install. Edges, seams and deep curves are where a wrap lifts first if it's rushed. A vehicle doesn't leave our bay until it's right, because a careful install is a big part of how long a wrap lasts.
The sun. Flat surfaces like the hood and roof get the most sun and age faster than the sides. A vehicle that's parked inside or in the shade keeps its wrap looking new longer.
Ottawa winters and salt
Winter isn't a reason to skip a wrap. The vinyl actually protects your paint from winter salt and the rust that comes with it, which is one reason our fleet customers wrap work trucks.
Rinse the salt and slush off regularly through the winter, the same as you would with paint, and the wrap will be fine.
Looking after your wrap
Touchless car washes are fine. You can pressure wash a wrap if you're careful: keep the nozzle back and don't aim straight at the edges. There's no need to wax it.
Clean off things like bird droppings and tree sap soon, before they bake in the sun. If an edge or a corner ever starts to lift, bring it in early: a small fix is quick, and it stops water and dirt getting under the vinyl.
Warranty and check-ups
Every wrap comes with a six-month warranty. After that, book a check with us: once we've gone over the vehicle, you get another six months.
When it's time to take it off
When the wrap is getting old, or your business has a new look, we remove it. Your paint will be just as good as it was before the vinyl went on, so you can rewrap the vehicle or sell it. Removal is priced per project.
