Noticed unsightly scratches on your car wrap?
No need to fret! There are excellent solutions to fix the damage and bring back the flawless look of your vehicle wrap.
Keep reading to learn different ways to repair a damaged car wrap, or fleet wraps that need some fixing.
1. Repair a Small Section
Car wrap installers have copies of design files to fix your car wrap after a car accident.
When fixing a small section, they will focus on the damaged area instead of replacing the entire panel.
Pros
- Relatively affordable as it covers only a small section
Cons
- Visibly different in color from the original car wrap, especially on the edges
- For example, if you have a green vinyl wrap, the new print will be a darker green tone.
- Color differences will be more noticeable over time due to eventual fading from sun exposure and weather damage. The original wrap will fade first, accentuating the stronger color of the new print.
Note: If you choose a new company for the repair, ask the original installer to provide a copy of the design file.
2. Repair the Entire Side of the Vehicle
If you want the best results, fixing the entire panel is a great idea.
That means replacing the entire vinyl wrap of the damaged part.
Repairing an entire panel is an excellent choice, whether there are minor scrapes or serious damage.
Pros
- No noticeable differences in color
- No glaring signs of repair
- Neat, seamless appearance
Cons
- Costs more than repairing a small section, as it involves reprinting and installing a car wrap for an entire panel. But – it’s worth the cost in our opinion, 100% every time! You’ll get the look that matches the rest of the wrap, which means a lot to the thousands of daily eyeballs on your vehicle on the road.
Steps
1. Reprinting
Your car wrap installer will reprint the right sections based on your original wrap design.
2. Color matching
They will color-correct the original design and match the existing color of your car wrap, particularly if your vehicle wrap has faded a little.
This ensures an impeccable appearance without noticeable signs of a repair job.
3. Cleaning
Professional installers will thoroughly clean the damaged area and remove remnants of the damaged wrap.
They typically use plastic blades to cut excess wrap and apply heat to shrink it back into place.
Folds and wrinkles will also be removed.
4. Applying the new wrap
Finally, your car wrap tech will install the newly printed wrap on the entire panel.
3. Use a Vinyl Patch
This method involves using a sheet of your original car wrap vinyl to fix the car wrap yourself.
Pros
- Easy, DIY option (also can be professionally done)
- Good for minor damage
Cons
- Only works if you have a solid-color wrap
- NOT a seamless look – the cut edges of the vinyl patch will be a different color from the original car wrap.
- Similar to repairing a small section, applying a vinyl patch will highlight uneven colors when the original wrap starts fading.
Steps
1. Clean the damaged area.
Soak a microfiber towel in soapy water, and clean the area thoroughly to remove dirt and debris.
2. Remove any protruding vinyl.
After peeling off the damaged vinyl, clean the surface and wipe it dry with a soft cloth.
3. Carefully apply the vinyl patch.
Cut a square vinyl patch that completely covers the damaged area. Rub it in up-and-down motions to ensure the vinyl sticks properly.
3. Trim excess wrap.
You can use a blade to cut any excess wrap. Apply just enough pressure to avoid damaging the underlying paint.
4. Seal the patch.
Keep the vinyl patch firmly in place by heating it with a hairdryer or heat gun, particularly on the edges.
Final Thoughts
Repairing a damaged car wrap takes skill and meticulous craftsmanship.
While you may be tempted to do it on your own, it’s best to hire seasoned professionals if you want perfect results without obvious signs of repair.
Contact us to have a National Car Wrap representative assess and fix the damage to make your vehicle wrap look as good as new.
