Steel Skinz Graphics - Frequently Asked Questions

Vehicle Wrap Frequently Asked Questions

What is a vehicle wrap? Is it paint?Vehicle wraps are hi-performance vinyl coverings that are applied directly to your vehicle. They can often be mistaken for custom paint jobs.
How are vehicle wraps installed?The image is printed onto panels of adhesive-backed high performance vinyl which is installed similar to wall paper-- in that each panel matches up to the next panel with a slight overlap. The installer uses a squeegee to put the panels on and, when needed, heat is used to soften the vinyl and allow it to stretch over complex surfaces.
Can I install it myself? Installation is best left to professionals. It is a tricky job.
How effective are vehicle wraps? Surveys conducted have proven that, in a large metropolitan area like Phoenix, a wrapped vehicle can be seen by as many as 4,500 people per hour. That is 36,000 potential customers that your vehicle wrap can reach on an average day. Drive it to and from work and park it in high visibility areas to maximize your advertising dollars.
How much does a vehicle wrap cost? Cost will vary based on the condition of the vehicle, size, surface complexity, artwork availability, etc. With that said, we are pleased to provide some pricing guidelines to help with your budgeting. A typical delivery van will run about $2,500-$3,500. We have a page on our website that provides some vehicle wrap pictures
What's involved in a vehicle wrap? Vehicle wraps, Bus wraps and Fleet wraps are comprised of 3 phases. The first is the design and layout phase. The second is the production phase and finally installation. There may even be a fourth phase, the removal of graphics if requested
Will the wrap damage my paint? No. A vehicle wrap, when applied and removed correctly by a professional installer, does not damage your car's paint, unless the paint is already damaged or the car has been repainted.
How do I care for my wrap? Hand washing is best. You can wash it just like you did before it was wrapped, but it is not recommended that you use wax. We recommend brushless car washes. Avoid high pressure washes and be careful never to use an ice-scraper. Sweeping off windows with a soft broom and rear defroster will cause no damage to your window graphics.
How Long will the graphics last? A permanent vehicle wrap or graphics is warranted by 3M against fading and adhesive failure for 3 years. If they were installed by us, or another professional, they should look great for many years. Window graphics (see-through perforated film) carries a 1 year warranty.
What's the difference between a partial and full wrap? Typically, a Full Wrap includes the entire surface of the vehicle with or without the roof, depending on the vehicle and the client's wishes. A partial wrap is exactly that. The vehicle is partially wrapped. What portion of the vehicle is actually wrapped depends on the design and customer needs.
Will you wrap a leased vehicle? Sure, we've wrapped many leased cars. The wrap can easily be removed without any damage at the end of the lease.
How do I get started? You can either give us a call if you have some quick questions, or complete our quick online request form.
What is the approximate time frame expected for installation once the design is approved? From the time that the design is completed and approved by our client, a wrap can be printed and installed within 10 days, sometimes less.
Can the wrap be removed later? Absolutely. The wrap is actually adhered to the vehicle using heat and pressure-sensitive adhesives that can be reactivated by our installers. The removal process is very short.
Will you pay me to drive someone else's advertising? Our company charges businesses and others to wrap their vehicles. Our company specializes in large format design, printing and installation services. We do NOT offer compensation for driving ads.
Does it matter what color my vehicle is? No, vehicle wraps are not translucent; you will not be able to see through them.
What if I dent my car, can my vehicle wrap be fixed? Yes, we can easily replace the damaged pieces or panels of your wrap.
I live outside your local area, can I still go with you guys for my wrap? Yes, we would have meetings with you over emails or the phone and all images and mockups would be emailed for approval. We can also mail your wrap to you so that you may have it installed locally. Or we can arrange to have a professional install it for you.
How can I be sure that I'll be satisfied, do you have references? Yes. We'd be happy to provide you the names of satisfied customers.