No matter the type of car you own, one thing every car lover will agree on is that the wheels on a vehicle give it its personality. Giving your rims a custom look brings life to the vehicle. Many car owners have adopted a new method of altering the look of their car rims with vinyl wraps.
You can wrap your rims with vinyl; it will serve the purpose of giving your wheels a fresh look. However, vinyl wraps are not designed to be used on moving parts. Therefore, it is not a durable option. Other alternatives, like powder coating and liquid wrap, can do a better job.
In this article, we will explore whether it is worth getting your rims wrapped. We’ll also look at the alternative options available, and how to wrap your rims with vinyl and maintain your wrap to keep it looking fresh and pristine. Let’s get rolling.
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Should You Wrap Your Rims With Vinyl?
Now that we know it’s possible to wrap your rims with vinyl, let’s talk a little about whether you should do it, and if it’s worth the time and money. Of course, vinyl has a certain appeal since you can peel it off whenever you have had enough of it. But we need to consider a few other things as well.
You shouldn’t wrap your rims with vinyl because the rim is a moving part and is also closest to the road. Dirt and debris can damage the wrap and also contribute to rapid deterioration. This method is not ideal for safety since bits of vinyl can sneak into your brakes and cause an accident.
You have a couple of other options you can try that will give you a better and lasting result as compared to vinyl wrap, which normally lasts a few days or weeks at most. Moreover, the heat produced from the friction of rubber against the road can compromise the adhesive of the wrap and cause the edges to come off.
Let’s jump deeper and see what these other options are.
Alternatives to Wrapping Your Rims
Powder Coating
It’s a no-brainer that vinyl sticking to the rim of your car with adhesive is less durable than something painted onto them. Powder coating is similar to painting your rims since you typically use a spray gun to apply it.
Powder coating has been around for decades. It is undoubtedly a more durable option for giving your rims a new look. Consider the fact that you would probably spend somewhere in the ballpark of $300 to get your rims wrapped by a professional. A lot less if you do it yourself. Now, think about the terrain you usually drive on. If you drive on dirt and gravel, you will be looking to get a fresh wrap soon.
On the other hand, if you have your rims powder coated, it might cost around $350 – $700, but it will be worth the money. You wouldn’t have to worry about keeping your wrap clean, so it doesn’t lose its finish.
Powder coating allows you to be a little carefree with your wheels. Also, you don’t have to worry about a piece of vinyl getting stuck in your brakes, and powder coating will last much longer than vinyl, usually 15 – 20 years.
Liquid Wrap
A liquid wrap is a polymer-based coating sprayed onto the rim’s existing paint with a spray gun; you can peel this coating off if you want to change it. This process is known for its glossiness and durability. Since liquid wrap is three times thicker than vinyl wrap, it offers more protection to the existing paint and lasts over 5 years on average.
Another interesting fact about the liquid wrap is its self-healing feature. If you spot a scratch or two on your rims, you don’t have to worry about it since it will disappear as soon as you apply some heat onto it. Just grab a heat gun or park your car in sunlight; that should take care of the scratch and restore your wrap to its original finish.
If you still want to pursue covering your rims with vinyl wrap, then continue reading. We will thoroughly cover everything you need to do – from getting your rims wrapped to keeping them in the best shape possible.
How to Wrap Rims?
Car owners are increasingly finding value in wrapping the rims of their vehicles with vinyl. This provides the style and personality one might be looking to give their ride. You can take on this task by yourself using a DIY kit or have a professional do it for you.
Wrapping the rims on your vehicle involves thoroughly cleaning the wheels and ensuring they are clear of any dirt. Next, you will need a high-quality wrap, a squeegee, a heat gun, and a sharp blade to apply and trim the wrap.
1. Clean the Rims
This will be the foundation of your wrap, so you need to pay close attention while doing this task.
Remove the wheel from the vehicle and give it a good wash. You don’t necessarily need to remove the tire off the rim. You can use a degreaser to eliminate all dirt and gunk. Once the rim is clean, use isopropyl alcohol to properly remove the degreaser, which may interfere with the next step.
2. Apply the Wrap
This involves cutting the warp around the wheel and giving yourself a few inches of buffer to adjust later.
Peel off the film and apply the wrap onto the rim; use the heat gun to settle the vinyl while pressing it in with a squeegee. Ensure no air bubbles exist, but if you can’t get rid of them, don’t worry; we’ll take care of these next. Once satisfied with your work, move on to the next step.
3. Trim the Wrap
After you are done with the application, it’s time to trim out the access vinyl. Use a pair of scissors or a sharp utility blade to do this.
It is important to have a sharp tool since this part will determine the finish of your work. Once completed, heat the vinyl and use a squeegee to eliminate any remaining air bubbles. The trimming will help you give your rims a clean finish.
Next, we will discuss maintaining the vinyl warp to make it last. Since vinyl is a material that can easily deteriorate, maintaining it is quite a task and requires some work.
How Can I Make My Vinyl Wrap Last Longer?
Once you successfully have your wrap in place and are ready to ride out to showcase the new look on your rims, there are a few things you should be mindful of. Taking care of your vinyl is essential to getting a return on your investment. If this is not done properly, you would have wasted a bunch of cash for a very short but stylish ride.
To make your vinyl wrap last longer, you must regularly hand wash your rims with mild soaps or detergents. Avoid high-pressure wash since this can peel off the edges and render the vinyl useless. Stay away from commercial cleaning products that can damage the wrap.
Here are a few things you can do to maintain your wrap:
- Cleanliness: It is important to keep your wrapped rims clean at all times. Washing the rims once a week is recommended to ensure they retain their finish and color. If this is not done, you will soon notice the color of your wrap fading off. This practice will go a long way in making your wrap last.
- Avoid High-Pressure Wash: Using a high-pressure water gun on your wrapped rims will compromise the integrity of the adhesive, and your vinyl will start to peel off from the edges. Once this happens, it will slowly but surely come off completely. Also, you must avoid drive-through car washes since the brushes can be rough on the wrap.
- Avoid Commercial Cleaning Products: There are plenty of products for cleaning your rims and making your tires shine. They all go out the window when you have vinyl-wrapped rims. Such products can damage the vinyl and leave you with dingy-looking rims. Always check to see if the product is safe for vinyl.
- Avoid Parking in Direct Sunlight: Parking your car in direct sunlight will fade your wrap rapidly. Although most vendors claim that their vinyl is covered with a UV protection layer, your wrap will still fade off if exposed to direct sunlight for an extended period.
Final Thoughts
Although wrapping your rims with vinyl is a popular practice these days, it requires a lot of attention and care, and can compromise your safety. Alternatives to vinyl wraps include powder coating and liquid wrap. If you must wrap your rims with vinyl you can help your wrap last longer by cleaning regularly with a gentle detergent and avoiding direct sunlight.