Exact Answer: 5 to 7 Years
A car wrap is a vinyl cover used as an alternative to car paint. It is an aftermarket practice and involves either covering the vehicle with a car wrap of another color or the same color with a different finish. It is also referred to as vinyl wrap, color change wrap, and paint wrap.
The origin of car wraps was in Germany when the German government legislated the coloring of taxis in beige. The taxi drivers did not want to paint their vehicles as it would decrease the resale value of the car. The invention of the car wraps served as a solution to this problem as they could be peeled off at the wish of drivers.
How Long Does Car Wrap Last?
| Time Range | Lasts For |
| Average life | 3 to 5 years |
| Maximum life | 7 to 8 years |
The life of the car wraps depends on a multitude of factors. The period during which the car wrap lasts is a byproduct of these factors. This, it would be extremely difficult to state one rule which would apply always. On the contrary, based on the past experiences of car wrap handlers, the life expectancy of color change wrap can be put under certain ranges.
The average life of the car wrap is about 3 to 5 years. However, certain people have reported their car wraps to last for more than this. In those cases, the maximum life of car wraps is about 7 to 8 years. These are no hard and fast rules but change with changes in environmental conditions.
There are several advantages of using car wraps. These are beneficial for both households and business managers. Apart from these, it also serves as a good means of protecting the car.
For individuals, car wraps are greatly useful for decorating or designing them as per a person’s desires. It also serves as an instrumental factor in protecting the original paint of the car wrap by safeguarding it from scratches and fading. Moreover, as compared to traditional car paint, car wraps are quite cheaper.
Car wraps also serve as a good medium of advertisement for business managers. It catches thousands of eyes on the go and with the minimum of expenses. Thus, car wraps are a good means of advertisement and promotion of business interests.
Why Does Car Wraps Last For So Long?
The effective life of the car wraps is dependent on many factors. These include the weather conditions, the amount of care given to them, and the quality of materials of those wraps.
The weather conditions include the sun exposure to the car wraps and temperature conditions. Sun temperature is a very important factor affecting their life. The Ultraviolet rays of the sun are particularly damaging these wraps and so, the excess sun exposure can decrease their life.
The temperature conditions of the environment also play an important role. Both the extremes in the temperature ranges are damaging and harmful to the wraps. While hot temperatures make the wrap malleable, extreme cold temperatures can cause cracks.
The amount of care imparted to the car also plays a key role in influencing its life. If the car is well maintained and taken good care of, it will surely last longer than its average life. However, poor maintenance can decrease their life making it last below its average life expectancy period.
The quality of materials used to make the car wraps and the manufacturer’s company is another set of crucial factors. If the manufacturing company is reputed and uses good materials to make it, the car wrap will have a long usable period. On the other hand, if the materials used are below standard, the car wraps may last for a very short period.
Conclusion
Car wraps are a good way to protect the original paint of the car from scratches and hail damage. It is also of great value in making the car color different as per one’s desires. Businesses use it to advertise their products and services.
The average life of the car wrap is about 3 to 5 years. This usable period is affected by factors like sun exposure, temperature conditions, the quality of materials of car wrap, and the care and maintenance of the car.
References
- https://elibrary.ru/item.asp?id=4016101
- https://www.sae.org/publications/technical-papers/content/2015-01-1461/
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