When you're on the go from job to job, through all seasons, it's not uncommon to see some wear and tear at some point to your vehicle's wrap. Even the highest quality vehicle wraps are not indestructible.
However, minor vehicle wrap damage (small tears, scuffs, peeling, etc.) often only requires replacing the affected panel. Other major vehicle wrap damage, caused by a collision or chemical exposure, for example, may require a more extensive repair.
If you take some damage to your wrap – don't panic. Follow a few simple tips to keep repair costs low and get your vehicle back on the road looking sharp quickly.
Best practice includes routinely doing a quick 360 walk-around of your wrapped vehicle to catch damage quickly if it happens.
Minor damage to a vinyl wrap can include things like:
These types of damage are typically able to be repaired by replacing one or two panels, rather than the wrap entirely.
Major damage that may require a full replacement or more extensive repairs can include:
Another factor you'll have to consider is the age of the wrap. If the wrap has aged and sun faded, the new replacement panels can no longer be color matched to the sun faded panels on the wrap – even using the exact same printers and settings as the original wrap.
One of the best parts of replacing a panel vs. a full removal and rewrap is that it cuts down the cost of the repair. It's simple – less material, less installation time, lower cost.
In addition to the lower cost, a panel replacement means less downtime for your vehicle.
Rather than your vehicle being tied up in a shop anywhere from a few days to a week, you can typically pick your vehicle up one or two days after your drop-off when you're just needing a single panel swapped out.
| Panel Replacement | Full Rewrap | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Lower | Higher |
| Downtime | Often 1-2 days | Several days to a week |
| Best for | Minor damage, contained to one or two panels | Multi-panel or extensive damage |
As we mentioned, it's important to keep in mind the age of the wrap when considering repairs.
If you're concerned about how the new panel may color match the existing panels, we recommend requesting a color proof.
The color proof is a sample of printed colors on the exact same vinyl as what we'll use for the panel replacement. This allows us to get as close as possible to the color of the existing panels, before we produce the full panel.
That being said – an exact color match cannot be guaranteed with sun faded panels. Even the best, industry-leading printers may get close to matching previously printed panels, but they cannot exactly color match sun faded panels.
There are some simple steps you should follow when you first notice damage to your wrap:
Following these few steps will help you keep minor damage from spiraling into a more major (and costly) issue.
Since we install our wraps with the natural seams of the vehicle in mind, we are able to remove single panels of the wrap without disturbing the surrounding wrapped areas.
The installers will first heat and remove the damaged panel. They will clean the entire surface of the panel and inspect the area to ensure the body of the vehicle itself has not been damaged.
Once the panel is completely clean, and no existing damage has been determined, our installers will install the newly printed replacement panel to blend seamlessly with the existing wrap.
To get the most out of your wrap investment, you'll want to be sure you're using best practices when you're on the road:
For more on keeping your graphics looking their best, check out our vehicle wrap maintenance tips.
Accidents happen – but they don't have to cost you endless time and money. Our team can help quickly assess the damage, walk you through the available repair options and associated costs, and discuss how to install your repair with the least amount of downtime.
Reach out to our team today, and we can help you with a free assessment and quote to help you get your vehicle back on the road and looking good ASAP.
Can a new panel be color-matched to a sun-faded wrap?
No. Even the best printers are unable to exactly match the color of a sun faded wrap.
How long does panel replacement take?
Typically, installing a panel replacement only requires your vehicle being down for 1-2 days to allow the vinyl to set after install.
Will insurance cover wrap damage from a collision?
Some insurance policies may cover some or all of the replacement cost for damage caused by a collision. You'll want to be sure to let your insurance company know the vehicle has a wrap when it's installed, and ask your agent about their policy regarding wrap replacement due to collision.
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