5 Smart Tips Before Wrapping Your Car

Vehicle wrapping is one of the best ways to transform your car's appearance, protect the original paint, or create a head-turning commercial vehicle. But a great result depends on more than just picking a colour. The decisions you make before and after the wrap is applied will determine how good it looks, how long it lasts, and how much value it delivers.

Here are five essential tips from our experience wrapping over 1,300 vehicles at Showoff.

1. Choose the Right Film Type

Not all vinyl wrap films are created equal, and the cheapest option is rarely the best investment. The two leading manufacturers in the professional wrapping industry are 3M and Avery Dennison, and there are good reasons why professionals prefer their products.

Why Premium Film Matters

• Conformability: Premium films stretch and conform to complex curves without lifting, bubbling, or distorting the colour. Budget films often struggle with tight recesses and compound curves.
• Colour consistency: Top-tier manufacturers ensure colour consistency across batches. With cheaper films, you risk visible colour variation between panels.
• Durability: A quality 3M or Avery film will maintain its colour and finish for 5-7 years. Budget alternatives may fade, crack, or peel within 1-2 years.
• Removability: This is often overlooked. Premium films are engineered to be removed cleanly without damaging the underlying paint. Cheap films can leave adhesive residue or even pull paint.
• Warranty: Both 3M and Avery Dennison offer manufacturer warranties when their films are installed by certified professionals.

Finish Options

The finish you choose has a major impact on the final look:

• Gloss: Classic, showroom-fresh appearance
• Matte: Modern, stealthy aesthetic (very popular for dark colours)
• Satin: A beautiful middle ground between gloss and matte
• Metallic: Added depth and sparkle
• Colour-shift: Changes colour depending on viewing angle
• Chrome and mirror: Maximum impact (note: chrome wraps are more expensive and complex)

Take time to view physical samples in person before deciding. Colours look different on screen versus in real life, and the finish changes dramatically under different lighting conditions.

2. Always Use a Professional Installer

Vehicle wrapping is a skilled trade that requires significant training, experience, and the right environment. While DIY wrap kits exist, the difference between a professional and amateur installation is immediately visible.

What a Professional Brings

• Training and certification: Reputable installers are certified by film manufacturers (3M Preferred Installer, Avery Dennison Certified, etc.)
• Controlled environment: Professional shops have climate-controlled, dust-free facilities. Temperature and humidity directly affect adhesion and film behaviour.
• Proper tools: Professional-grade heat guns, squeegees, cutting tools, and lighting make a significant difference.
• Experience with your vehicle: An experienced installer knows the trouble spots on specific models - where the film wants to lift, where extra attention is needed, and how to handle unique design features.

Red Flags to Watch For

Be cautious if a wrapper:

• Cannot show a portfolio of completed work
• Offers prices significantly below market rate
• Works outdoors or in an uncontrolled environment
• Does not specify which film brand they use
• Cannot provide references or reviews

At Showoff, all our vehicle wrapping is performed in our climate-controlled workshop in Sandnes by certified installers. We encourage every potential customer to visit our facility and see our standards firsthand.

3. Prepare Your Vehicle Properly

The preparation stage is arguably the most critical step in achieving a flawless wrap. The film will conform to everything on the surface - including imperfections.

Before Your Appointment

• Wash thoroughly: Give your car a complete wash, including door jambs, fuel filler cap, and under mirrors. Remove all wax and sealant products.
• Document existing damage: Take photos of any existing chips, scratches, or dents. These will still be visible (or even more visible) under the film.
• Remove accessories: Take off any aftermarket accessories that can be easily removed - license plate frames, antenna toppers, aftermarket badges.
• Consider paint repair: Significant chips or scratches should be repaired before wrapping. The film is not a cover-up - it highlights imperfections.

What the Installer Handles

A professional installer will:

• Perform a final deep clean and decontamination (clay bar treatment)
• Remove necessary trim, badges, and components for clean edge wrapping
• Inspect the paint for issues that need addressing
• Apply surface preparation solutions for optimal adhesion

The cleaner and smoother the surface, the better the final result will be. Skipping preparation is the number one cause of premature wrap failure.

4. Maintain Your Wrap Properly

A vehicle wrap is an investment, and like any investment, it benefits from proper care. With the right maintenance routine, you can significantly extend the life and appearance of your wrap.

Washing

• Hand wash is always the safest option. Use a pH-neutral car shampoo and soft wash mitt.
• Touchless automatic washes are acceptable. Avoid brush washes, as the bristles can scratch and damage the film surface.
• Avoid high-pressure washers at close range (under 30cm). The pressure can lift edges, especially on older wraps.
• Wash regularly - do not let contaminants sit on the surface. Bird droppings, tree sap, and insect residue should be removed as soon as possible.

Protection

• Park in shade when possible. UV exposure is the primary cause of film degradation over time.
• Apply a wrap-safe sealant once or twice a year. This adds a hydrophobic layer that makes washing easier and provides additional UV protection.
• Avoid abrasive products - no polishing compounds, no traditional car wax (especially on matte or satin finishes).

What to Avoid

• Automatic brush car washes
• Petroleum-based solvents on the film surface
• Scraping ice directly on the wrap (use a plastic scraper with care)
• Parking under trees for extended periods (sap and pollen damage)

Follow these guidelines and your wrap will look fresh for years. Neglect them, and you may see premature fading, staining, or edge lifting.

5. Register Colour Changes with the Authorities

This is a tip that many people overlook, and it can lead to unnecessary fines or complications. In Norway, if you change the primary colour of your vehicle through wrapping, you are legally required to update the vehicle registration.

When Registration Is Required

• Full colour change wraps: If you wrap your white car in matte black, for example, the registered colour must be updated.
• Partial wraps and graphics: If the base colour remains dominant and recognizable, registration changes are typically not needed.
• Commercial fleet graphics: Logo wraps and partial graphics over the original colour generally do not require re-registration.

How to Register

1. Visit the Norwegian Public Roads Administration (Statens vegvesen) website or a service office
2. Submit a colour change notification (fargeendring)
3. The process is straightforward and can often be done online
4. There may be a small administrative fee

Why It Matters

• Your vehicle's colour is part of its identification. A mismatch between registered and actual colour can cause issues during:
  • Traffic stops
  • Insurance claims
  • Vehicle inspections (EU-kontroll)
  • Selling the vehicle

At Showoff, we always advise our customers about registration requirements when planning a colour change wrap. We want the experience to be smooth from start to finish - no surprises.

Bonus Tip: Plan Your Design Before Committing

If you are considering a commercial wrap or a custom design, invest time in the design phase before heading to the workshop. A skilled designer can create mockups on a template of your exact vehicle model, so you can see how the colours, graphics, and layout will look before any film is cut.

At Showoff, our design team creates digital mockups for every custom project. This ensures you love the result before we start installation.

Ready to Wrap Your Vehicle?

Whether you are looking for a colour change, paint protection, or professional fleet branding, our team at Showoff is here to help. With over 1,300 vehicles wrapped using premium 3M and Avery Dennison films, you are in experienced hands.

Get a free quote or learn more about our vehicle wrapping services.