Do you wish to make your car look new again and at the same time, protect the original car paint? There is no better option than the car wrap. Most car owners are so busy that they don’t even let their cars breathe and continue to scratch them with no solid protection. A car wax may be the best car paint protection solution for them.
One common question that remains unanswered is ”How long does it take to wrap a car?” You want to give your vehicle a sleek matte finish, a bold color change, and a custom-design protective vinyl layer, but it takes time. The answer to the question isn’t straightforward, as there is no single-size car wrap that fits all vehicles.
If you are concerned about your car’s aesthetics and its value, a car wrap is an ideal solution. A car wrap is a detailed, solid, and comprehensive paint protection solution for your car.
There are many factors, such as the type of car, its size, design, curves, and the installer’s expertise, that can make the car wrapping process longer.
In this article, we will list down all factors that may affect wrap installation time, including the prep work, wrapping, and attaining precision, so you know exactly what to expect. We will also share the tips to speed up the car wrapping process without sacrificing the quality and precision. Let’s find out.
1. How Long Does It Take to Wrap a Car
Let’s break down the timeframe of the car wrapping process based on the complexity of the task:
1.1 Simple and Quick Car Wrapping Timeframe
A simple and quick car wrapping of a small car that only involves less complexity can take no more than 1-3 days.
1.2 Moderate-Level Vinyl Wrapping Process Timeframe
A moderate-level vinyl car wrapping with average complexity can take nearly 3-5 days in total.
1.3 Fully-Professional Vehicle Wrap Timeframe
A fully professional vinyl car wrapping with many complexities and excellent precision can take almost 5-7 days and may be slightly longer than this duration.
2. How Long Does It Take to Get a Car Wrapped Based on Coverage
2.1 How Long Does It Take to Wrap a Car Roof, Hood, or Door (Partial)
A partial vinyl car wrap that includes wrapping only certain car parts, including the roof, doors, or hood, may take 1-2 days.
2.2 How Long Does It Take to Wrap a Full Car (Professional)
A professional full car wrap may also include disassembling a few parts and then reassembling them after the wrap. A professional full car wrap can take up to 3-5 days.
3. How Long Does It Take to Wrap a Car Yourself (DIY)
A DIY vinyl car wrap timeframe can vary based on the experience. It can normally take somewhere between 5-7 days or may be longer for beginners.
Professional car wrap installers use heat guns, precision knives, and squeegees to avoid wrinkles and bubbles while car wrapping. On the other hand, those beginners who are doing it by themselves are likely to take extra hours or days correcting their mistakes.
4. How Long Does It Take to PPF Wrap a Car
Though paint protection film (PPF) is considerably different from the vinyl car wrap in terms of material, thickness, properties, and protection, the wrapping process and time duration are somewhat the same for both.
On average, it can take almost 1-7 business days to PPF wrap a car. The time can vary based on factors such as the coverage area of the vehicle, the complexity of the car’s design, and sharp and aggressive curves.
- A partial PPF car wrap, including wrapping the bumper, fenders, or hood, can normally take up to a few hours to 1 business day.
- Meanwhile, full front PPF car wrapping can take up to 1-2 business days.
- If you are planning to do a full PPF car wrap, you should expect somewhere between 3 and 7 business days, depending on your vehicle and the complexity.
4.1 PPF Car Wrap Curing Time
There is a curing time for the PPF car wrap to settle on the car’s exterior. It takes almost 1-3 days for the PPF wrap to bond with the car paint. After this duration, you can continue driving your car.
4.2 DIY PPF Car Wrap
A DIY car wrap is not recommended as it is highly risky. PPF is very different from vinyl car wraps. It is thicker than the vinyl wrap and requires expertise to install on cars.
5. How Long Does It Take to Saran Wrap a Car?
There are car owners who may find it convenient to use Saran Wrap (also known as plastic wrap) to cover their car temporarily. Although Saran Wrap is simple to apply and can take a few hours, it is also worth knowing its limitations. In comparison to vinyl wraps or paint protection films (PPF), Saran wrap does not provide protection, durability, and aesthetic appeal at the same level. It is a short-term solution at best and does not provide your car with the long-term protection it needs.
Saran wrap will fail to shield your car against UV rays, scratches, and wear and tear, as is the case with professional wraps. Also, it does not give the smooth finish or color choices that are offered with vinyl wraps. Although it is fast, Saran Wrap does not safeguard the paint of your car as a vehicle wrap or a PPF would, rendering it inappropriate to use in the long term. Vinyl wraps or PPF are ideal if you want a good look or long-lasting protection.
If your car paint has signs of sun damage and it is causing your car to lose value and worth, read our detailed expert guide on how to fix sun damage on a car.
6. How Long Does It Typically Take to Wrap a Car?
Depending on various factors, the duration of wrapping a car can widely differ, and it largely depends on the vehicle type, the size of the car, the design complexity, and your choice of a vinyl wrap or paint protection film (PPF). On average, it may take 1-7 days to wrap a car, depending on the scope of the project.
Full car wraps are the most time-consuming and may require 5-7 days, as they involve precision, the use of complicated patterns, and disassembly of elements like mirrors or trim.
Partial car wraps, like wrapping the roof, hood, or doors, are faster to install and can normally be done within 1-3 days, depending on the design and size of the car.
The duration may be prolonged by such factors as the number of curves, sharp edges, and complexity of the wrap design. As an example, a car with aggressive curves or sharp angles will take longer to wrap. Whereas, simpler designs can be wrapped faster. The time investment will be the same regardless of whether you choose a vinyl wrap or PPF, but PPF may need more time to cure.
7. Final Thoughts
The time commitment is a crucial factor when it comes to car wrapping. When you are deciding on a simple vinyl wrap, a partial wrap, or a full car wrap, knowing how long the process will take can help you plan ahead. A professional car wrap should be done in 3-7 days, depending on the level of difficulty, but a DIY wrap can take a long time, especially for newbies.
One has to maintain a balance between time spent on the job and the quality and durability of the results. The professional car wraps and PPF installations provide better protection, such as scratch resistance, UV rays, and wear and tear. On the other hand, DIY projects can be completed at a low cost at the expense of time and a possible lack of a professional finish.In case you are interested in not only having a sleek-looking vehicle but also keeping it safe, then it can be a good decision to invest in a vehicle wrap or PPF, professionally applied. If installed properly, the beauty of your car and the protection of its paint will be increased, and your car will look great even after years.