Using a car vinyl wrap is the best way to transform the interior or exterior of your car as well as hide imperfections. The most common areas to wrap your car include the side mirrors, bonnet, roof, dashboard, spoiler and any interior components.
The best vinyl wrap is the VViViD XPO, which is a carbon fiber wrap that is designed specifically for automotive use and is easy to apply.
Car wraps are designed to prevent damage to the surface and be easy to remove. There are hundreds of wraps available but not all of them are designed specifically for automotive use, which can cause problems with the installation and longevity.
Table of Contents
Car Vinyl Wrap Comparison
| Car Vinyl Wrap | Color | Sizes |
|---|---|---|
| VVIVID XPO | Carbon Fiber | 9 |
| 3M 1080 M12 | Matte Black | 23 |
| VViViD High Gloss | High Gloss Black | 12 |
| Vinyl Frog | Chameleon | 9 |
| VViViD Glow | Glow in the Dark | 4 |
| TCBunny 3D | Carbon Fiber | 3 |
| TECKWRAP 5D | Carbon Fiber | 1 |
| DIYAH 3D Weave | Carbon Fiber | 10 |
Using car wraps is a far cheaper option than paint and is available in a whole range of designs to best suit your requirements. They also have the benefit of being easy to remove, which is ideal for when you sell your car or simply change your mind.
Wrapping cars can be a difficult task if you aren’t prepared. It’s highly recommended that you use a heat gun for activating the adhesive and stretching the vinyl wrap. You will also require an applicator pad for removing bubbles and a blade for precision cutting.
Below is a list of the best vinyl wraps that are designed specifically for automotive use and can be installed to both the interior or exterior components.
The Best Vinyl Wrap
1. VVIVID XPO Carbon Fiber Wrap
VViViD are the leading manufacturer of vinyl wrap and have developed numerous car wraps for different finishes. The most popular vinyl is the carbon fiber wrap, which can transform both the interior and exterior trim pieces of your car.
The VViViD vinyl wrap is 3.9 mils in thickness and is designed to stretch up to 200% and conform to any shape with ease.
Other features of the VVIVID XPO Carbon Fiber Wrap include:
- Highly realistic textured finish
- Abrasion resistant for heavy duty applications
- Thicker than most alternatives
- Discoloration or stretch marks are barely visible
- Lasts up to 7 years outdoors
- Available in sizes from 1 x 5 to 100 x 5 feet
- Air release technology for a high quality finish
The advanced XPO technology along with the genuine 3D texture make it the best carbon fiber wrap available. VViViD has also gone to great lengths to ensure that it’s easy to use and claim that the vinyl wrap can stretch up to 200%.
Check it Out2. 3M 1080 M12 Car Vinyl Wrap
3M are a global brand and their vinyl wrap is one of the best on the market but also the most expensive. However, it does feature fairly unique features such as being coated in a UV protective layer to make it last even longer.
It has been designed specifically for automotive use and is constructed of a dual cast vinyl wrap with a rapid air adhesive.
Other features of the 3M 1080 M12 include:
- Available in sizes from 5 x 1 to 5 x 15 feet
- Coated in a UV protective layer
- Manufactured with two colored layers
- Designed specifically as an automotive vinyl wrap
- Pressure activated adhesive
- Bubble-free installation
The 3M 1080 M12 is a high quality vinyl wrap for cars that can be easily applied when heated up. It does come with a premium price tag but it’s backed by the reputable 3M brand and has a variety of sizes available to best suit your requirements.
Check it Out3. VViViD Black High Gloss Car Wrap
Another car vinyl wrap by the VViViD brand is the high gloss option, which is designed to mimic a paint. The brand offer it in sizes that range from 1 x 5 to 100 x 5 feet, which makes it suitable for wrapping cars of all sizes.
It’s a high quality vinyl wrap that is 4.3 mils in thickness, which allows it to easily stretch and conform to any shape during the wrapping process.
Other features of the VViViD High Gloss Wrap include:
- Designed specifically for automotive use
- 164 different colors available
- Last 5 to 7 years outdoors
- Repositionable and permanent adhesive
- Suitable for most applications
- No residue left behind when removed
As with all the VViViD car wraps, they use the air release technology, which helps provide a high quality finish. The choice of 164 different colors and sizes ranging from 1 x 5 to 100 x 5 feet allows you to choose the best vinyl wrap for your requirements.
Check it Out4. Vinyl Frog Chameleon Car Wrap
Chameleon is a mixture of purple and blue shades and is very popular car vinyl wrap to use on both internal and external components. The Vinyl Frog brand offer the wrap as a gloss or matte chameleon finish to best suit your requirements.
In terms of the construction of this car wrap, it uses a high quality flexible polymeric PVC film, which has a thickness of 4.8 mil with glue applied.
Other features of Vinyl Frog Chameleon Wrap include:
- Glossy and matte finish
- Air release technology and stretchable
- Available in sizes from 1 x 5 to 5 x 59 feet
- Long life span when installed correctly
- Suitable for multiple applications
- Easily removable
The matte finish is the more desirable chameleon vinyl wrap and the brand offer it in 8 different sizes. Overall, the Vinyl Frog provides the best mixture of blue and purple to produce this car wrap and it won’t disappoint. Many of the alternatives use too much blue or purple, which doesn’t provide the desired effect.
Check it Out5. VViViD Glow in the Dark Vinyl Wrap
If you really want to standout at night or in dark locations, you can opt for a glow in the dark vinyl wrap. It’s another car wrap by the VViViD brand that uses the same air release and heat fuse technology as their highly popular carbon fiber wrap.
It’s a premium vinyl wrap that can be installed using a 3M 94 primer and edge sealer for a high quality finish.
Other features of the VViViD Glow In The Dark Car Wrap include:
- Last for up to 7 years outdoors
- Glows after being exposed to sunlight
- Acrylic based adhesive backing
- Stretches and conforms to any shape
- Available in sizes from 1 x 2 to 100 x 5 foot
- Air release technology
It’s important to note that the wrap must have been in direct sunlight to glow in the dark.
There are some brands offering a glow in the dark vinyl wrap cheaper but for peace of mind, it’s advised to use the VViViD wraps. They are built to much higher standards and can last up to 7 years outdoors, which is far longer than the cheaper alternatives.
Check it Out6. TCBunny 3D Carbon Fiber Car Wrap
Another popular carbon fiber wrap is by the TCBunny brand and it’s available in sizes from 5 x 5 to 10 x 5 feet. To ensure you are able to achieve the best results, it has integrated air channels that allow for a bubble-free installation.
The brand claim that it has the ability to last up to 10 years inside of the car or 5 years outdoors once applied correctly.
Other features of the TCBunny 3D Wrap include:
- Air release technology for a bubble-free installation
- Grid pattern on the paper backing for precision cutting
- Doesn’t leave any residue when removed
- Repositionable during installation
- Sizes from 5 x 5 to 10 x 5 feet
The TCBunny 3D carbon fiber wrap is a high quality vinyl that has the added benefit of a grid pattern of the paper backing. It’s been designed to be easy to apply and is able to last for up to 10 years when applied to interior trim that avoid the outdoor elements.
Check it Out7. TECKWRAP High Gloss Carbon Fiber Wrap
The TECKWRAP brand offer a 5D high gloss carbon fiber wrap that has been designed specifically for automotive usage. It’s available in multiple styles such as the very desirable high gloss option. It’s important to note that the brand only offer a 1 x 5 feet roll of this vinyl wrap, which may be an issue for large surfaces.
Other features of the TECKWRAP 5D Wrap include:
- Lasts up to 3 years
- Bubble-free air channels
- High polymeric PVC construction
- 3D textured with a high gloss finish
- Easily removable with zero residue
- More suited to interior trim
Apart from only being available in a single size, the TECKWRAP is an excellent all-round carbon fiber wrap. It’s designed primarily for interior trim and can be easily installed, re-lifted and removed without causing any damage to the surface.
Check it Out8. DIYAH 3D Black Carbon Fiber Car Wraps
Another popular carbon fiber car wrap that is available in a range of sizes is by the DIYAH brand. They state that their carbon fiber car wraps appear far more genuine than similar priced alternatives, which is thanks to the high quality 3D weave.
Other features of the DIYAH 3D Carbon Fiber include:
- 10 sizes available
- 3D twill-weave carbon fiber effect
- UV resistant
- Easy to apply and remove
- 0.2 inches in thickness
- Self-adhesive and stretchable with heat
Overall, the DIYAH 3D carbon fiber car wrap is a high quality and easy to apply option that won’t disappoint. The selection of 10 sizes also allows you to tackle almost any interior or exterior components with ease.
Check it OutVinyl Wrap Buying Guide
Car vinyl wrap is a PVC material that you can apply to any hard surfaces by yourself. Whether you want to cover up defects on the surface or want to transform the appearance of your car, vinyl wrapping is the best route to choose.
To help you make an informed buying decision, we have produce the below guide regarding car vinyl wraps.
Preparing The Car
Preparing your car before wrapping is highly advised in order to achieve the best results. The surface must be completely clean and it’s advised to use a clay bar to remove all containment that may be on the paintwork. If you are wrapping interior pieces, the clay bar process would not be required but it still needs to be clean.
Once the paintwork is completely clean, you will also want to protect the paintwork beforehand. This can be achieved using a car wax or alternatively a more expensive ceramic coating for cars. Once protective, there will be a barrier between the paintwork and the adhesive or wrap that you are using.
Removing Vinyl Wrap From Cars
The main benefit for choosing a vinyl wrap over painting your car is that it’s completely reversible. You are able to simply heat up the vinyl wrap and peel it off the car. However, depending upon how it was installed will determine how easy it is to remove.
If the car wrap has been installed incorrectly, once the wrap is removed, it may reveal various defects such as swirls or light scratches. This is the result of the glue being teared away from the paintwork, which may also leave residue.
Depending upon the severity of the scratches, you may be able to use a light car polish to remove them. However, if the defects are far worse than expected, it’s advised to use a rotary or dual action car polisher to buff away the defects.
Best Car Wrap Color
One of the best reasons to choose a vinyl wrap is the fact that there are thousands of colors or designs. Some of the best vinyl wrap colors include:
- Matte black
- High gloss black
- Carbon fiber
- Camo
- Chrome
- Wood grain
- Blue
- Chameleon
- Purple
Some specialists companies may even allow you to design your own wrap, which allows you to be very creative and standout from the crowd.
Washing Car Wrap
When it comes to washing the vinyl wrap installed to your car, you will want to avoid automatic washes. The tough bristle, aggressive cleaning solution and heated air during the drying process could cause issues with the wrap lifting.
Hand washing your car is the best option and for spot cleaning, using a quick detailer is the easiest solution. Although you can wax the wrap, there really isn’t much point unless you like to see water beading upon the wrap.
DIY vs Professional Installation
Although wrapping your car can be difficult in certain situations, it’s still a task that can be achieved yourself. As long as you purchase a high quality vinyl wrap and have the correct tools, anyone can wrap their car.
However, if you are planning a full car wrap, a professional installation may be the best option. It will require removing various components of the bodywork, which may be difficult for the average DIY’er to do themselves. Attempting to do it yourself with limited knowledge can result in expensive damage and a poor finish.
How To Wrap Interior Trim
Using a quality vinyl wrap upon interior trim pieces is very popular and can completely transform the interior. The hardest part of the process is removing the trim pieces without breaking any clips that hold them in place. We highly advise that you use dedicated interior removal tools to avoid any damage.
Once the interior trim is removed, you can then measure it and cut out a section of the vinyl wrap. We recommend that you leave at least half an inch excess around the interior trim piece (as shown above), which allows you to stretch the wrap around it.
After the the vinyl wrap has been cut to size, you can peel off the backing paper and lay it onto your work surface with the adhesive side facing upwards. You can then use a heat gun to warm up the vinyl wrap and use a squeegee to remove any wrinkles or air bubbles.
Once the interior piece has bee fully wrapped, you can then safely trim any excess vinyl from the trim piece. It’s then advised that you allow the wrap to fully cool down from being heated and check the piece for any visual defects.
If you are happy with the results, you can proceed to refitting the trim to your car.
Conclusion
Using the best vinyl wrap that you can get your hands on can transform your car. It’s cheaper than paint and completely reversible if you change your mind. Another benefit is that you can install the wrap yourself with basic tools.
All of our recommendations are suited to a range of budgets and vinyl wrap designs. To avoid disappointment, we advise that buy from a reputable brand and purchase more wrap than you require.
