How to Remove a Vinyl Wrap & What Factors Play into it?
- epicentersales
- Mar 19
- 2 min read
One of the questions we get frequently is how to remove vinyl wrap or what steps need to be taken for a vehicle wrap removal. As with most things it boils down to just a few factors.
1.) How long has the wrap been on the car
2.) What film was used during the installation process?
On average, for example a Ford Fiesta will take somewhere between 4-6 hours to remove if the above criteria is optimal. Removing the wrap before the film ages out is a huge factor. Film like our skin has moisture and once that moisture dries out the film will crack. Horizontal surfaces are more prone to this than vertical because of the sun. Removing and replacing the wrap before this happens will allow for fewer man hours needed to remove.
Film choice also has a huge component into how long a removal will take. Not all wrap film is made the same and knowing the difference between cast and calendared films will save you some pain(see article here to learn more). Brands such as 3M, Avery Dennison, and Orafol are great choices. These brands have taken great consideration when making their products and have designed the films to remove cleanly with minimal residue and without damaging the surface. Because of the care taken to formulate their products you do get a longer lifespan from the films opposed to brands such as VinylFrog, Vivid, or many of the other brands sold on Amazon. Though brands such as Vivid are widely popular, the lifespan of these films do not compare to the more expensive counterparts and often start to fade or deteriorate after just a year or so and often lead to more adhesive being left behind.
If you're preparing to remove a wrap off a car yourself a few simple steps will help
1.) Work in a temperature controlled environment. Too hot or too cold will play into how much effort is needed. Too warm and the film will turn to goop. Too cold and the film will come off in smaller pieces
2.) Have a heat gun handy! A little heat goes a long way and will help with a faster removal
3.) DO NOT use metal razor blades to remove the vinyl.
4.) Pull vinyl at a low angle (10-45 degrees)
5.) Work in sections. To eat an elephant you take one bite at a time.(Who came up w/ that saying really)
6.) Lastly take your time. It took the installer hours to install this wrap and it will take time to remove.
7.) If its really bad consider using a steamer or Vinyl Off(read the instructions first!) and any adhesive left behind could be tackled with Rapid Remover, which we personally use here at Epicenter Graphics
Often wrap shops will remove wraps for an hourly rate if you decide removing yourself is just not for you. Prices range from $50-150/hour depending on the shop.
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