Are Vehicle Wraps Removable?

Are vehicle wraps removableOne of the most frequent – and also the most important – questions that we get here at Lucent Graphic Solutions is: are vehicle wraps removable? There is a short answer to this inquiry, as well as a longer one.

The Short Answer

The shorter answer is: yes, vehicle wraps are indeed removable! This isn’t just good news for individual car owners who want a new look or wish to sell their car for a premium price, but it’s also important for businesses that are using vehicle wraps for marketing, advertising and brand awareness purposes. Indeed, according to the Outdoor Advertising Association of America (OAAA):

  • More than 95% of Americans are reached by media that targets drivers and passengers.
  • A single vehicle wrap can generate up to 70,000 impressions each day.
  • Fleet vehicle advertising can increase name recognition 1500% more than any other kind of advertising.
  • 1 in 3 mobile outdoor viewers said they would make a buying decision based on an advertisement they see.

So that’s the short answer. Now let’s take a bit of a deeper look, since you definitely want the full picture here to ensure that you aren’t misled or disappointed.

The Long Answer

Once again: yes, vehicle wraps are removable -- provided that three key conditions are met, including:

  • The vehicle wrap is made of high-quality vinyl.
  • No primer was used during installation.
  • The vehicle has OEM Paint (original from manufacturer).

Beware, some amateur (or just unethical) vehicle wrap installers tell clients that they must use primer, since it seals the vinyl. This is not true as primer is NOT necessary! It is also important to note, that a vehicle that has been painted but not with OEM paint risks the possibility that the removal of the wrap may damage both the clear coat and the paint. If the vehicle has OEM paint and clear coat that is in good condition (the clear coat needs to be fully intact and not chipping or peeling) then you can remove the vehicle wrap without damaging the paint or clear coat.

A professional, experienced and qualified installer will carefully prepare the vehicle’s surface, and then follow-up with standard post-installation procedures. There is absolutely no need for primer to be used with vehicle wraps (boats and watercraft are a different matter). Anyone who advises otherwise should be avoided, since they are simply trying to spend less time on the job. The wrap they install will not last as long as it should, and trying to remove it will be a costly and stressful nightmare.

How to Remove a Vehicle Wrap

If the above two conditions are met, then removing a vehicle wrap is a relatively easy and straightforward process:

  • Step 1: Use a suitable heat source (e.g. heat gun) to heat the vehicle wrap up to the proper temperature.
  • Step 2: Once properly heated, carefully and patiently remove the wrap at a 45 degree angle.
  • Never yank the wrap, and use both hands with fingers spread wide apart to avoid separating the vinyl from the adhesive (adhesive residue is an eyesore and very difficult to remove!).

Learn More

If you need further advice on how to remove your previously-installed vehicle wrap, then contact the Lucent Graphic Solutions team today. Or if you’re looking to have a beautiful, durable, resilient and high-quality vehicle wrap professionally installed on your car or fleet, then give us a call at 877-582-3680


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