When comparing two options for refinement of the body, we will rely on a group of determining factors: the price of turnkey works in one region; service life of the “coating”; the complexity of the work (requirements for the overall quality and professionalism of the master in particular); consider pitfalls; dividends and possible losses. And by the end we will determine which option is preferable for specific goals and expectations of the owner.
Armor film
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The market offers two main types of film: armor (polyurethane) and vinyl (PVC). The first is a separate topic. Armor film is used to protect the body of new or freshly painted cars. It can be transparent or dull transparent. Such a film has a very long service life (from 5 to 10 years), provides good protection against external mechanical stress. The thickness of the polyurethane layer is about 200 microns. For comparison, the thickness of the factory paintwork of a modern car is about 120-150 microns. Work on gluing such a film is expensive, an average of 160-180 thousand rubles in Moscow per car. In addition, installing such a film is more time-consuming than sticking vinyl. Special professionalism is needed here.
Vinyl film
Vinyl film (PVC) was invented at one time for advertising on cars. In no case should it be taken as a protective agent. This is not its purpose, although the thickness of quality types of vinyl reaches 90 microns. True, when gluing the machine, it inevitably stretches and in difficult places can become thinner by about 40%. In the best case, it will protect the body from sandblasting, road reagents and, for example, light scratches from branches, but no more. On the other hand, such a film has a huge assortment of colors and textures, giving absolute freedom of action to fans of car styling. In addition, during the service of vinyl, you can forget about caring for the paintwork of the machine, which implies considerable expenses - for example, polishing the body. The average price tag for high-quality vinyl pasting of the entire body in Moscow is 80–100 thousand rubles.
The market has a huge range of manufacturers, colors and textures of vinyl films. Basically, the life of a wrapper depends on its quality. Therefore, it is worth paying extra for a famous brand so that the appearance of the glued machine pleased more than one year, but at least three. The market has a huge range of manufacturers, colors and textures of vinyl films. Basically, the life of a wrapper depends on its quality. Therefore, it is worth paying extra for a famous brand so that the appearance of the glued machine pleased more than one year, but at least three.
The plastic nature of PVC imposes a major limitation on the service life of such a film (an average of 3-5 years). Over time, due to prolonged exposure to the sun, this material shrinks. At the same time, in some places, the film can warp, crack, peel and rise on the edges of body panels. Also, PVC does not tolerate temperature extremes. If you call a sink from severe frost, then the film may crack during bath procedures. In addition, the plastic cover is scratched quite quickly. Such a film does not absorb shock from stones and makes its way.
Even high-quality vinyl film noticeably loses its presentation after three years of normal operation. A beautiful wrapper is covered with scratches and other noticeable damage. True, for some owners this is only at hand: they achieve exactly this effect. For example, in the photo there is a freshly pasted film that imitates the appearance of a severe race car, which often participated in contact wrestling. Even high-quality vinyl film noticeably loses its presentation after three years of normal operation. A beautiful wrapper is covered with scratches and other noticeable damage. True, for some owners this is only at hand: they achieve exactly this effect. For example, in the photo there is a freshly pasted film that imitates the appearance of a severe race car, which often participated in contact wrestling.
What is the life of the film?
The limited lifetime of vinyl is also associated with the effect of glue on the paintwork. After three to four years, he begins to actively eat into the top coat of varnish. This is especially pronounced on horizontal panels of the body (roof and hood), which are more often in the open sun. If you remove such a film after five years, then even with a professional approach, it can leave in pieces, leaving noticeable marks on the varnish. The body will probably have to be polished.
It is possible that the film during dismantling will seriously damage the paintwork. Most often, this happens when the vinyl is glued to body elements that were painted in a service with a violation of technology, or when the wrapper has been on the car for too long, more than six years.
To remove vinyl from the car painlessly, do not keep it on the back for more than five years. It is also better to initially abandon the idea of pasting if the car has undergone body repair and there is no certainty that the work is done efficiently. Dismantling the film under such circumstances can seriously damage the paintwork. To remove vinyl from the car painlessly, do not keep it on the back for more than five years. It is also better to initially abandon the idea of pasting if the car has undergone body repair and there is no certainty that the work is done efficiently. Dismantling the film under such circumstances can seriously damage the paintwork.
How to paste a film over a car body?
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When preparing the body before vinyl pasting, it is cleaned of impurities (for example, bituminous stains and traces of plants) and mask large chips. At the same time, hidden pockets of corrosion and other hidden damage to the paintwork may go unnoticed, because the master does not dismantle the body parts before pasting. However, as practice has shown, vinyl film does not accelerate the corrosion process, but does not slow it down either. So the time when you can treat sores, escaping with little blood, will still be lost.
In theory, an ordinary car enthusiast can also paste vinyl over the car body. The main thing in this process is patience and accuracy. The Internet has enough visual training videos. The tools needed are the simplest. But, as practice shows, even having tricked, an amateur is unlikely to be able to do the job as high quality as professionals do. Especially the difference will be noticeable on parts with complex geometry. Most likely, it will not be possible to wrap any element with one piece of vinyl, do with a minimum number of cuts and hide the edges of the film well. But, having sacrificed a share of aesthetics, you can save a tidy sum at work.
And if you still repaint?
The price tag for high-quality repainting of the entire car (including openings) in Moscow starts from about 100 thousand rubles. Saving on such a serious job is fraught. But the new body enamel will last for many years, subject to proper care for it. Subject to the technology, the service life of the repainted part will be no less than that of the factory coating.
High-quality car painting is impossible without the appropriate camera, materials, equipment and, most importantly, the professionalism of the master. All this cannot be cheap! High-quality car painting is impossible without the appropriate camera, materials, equipment and, most importantly, the professionalism of the master. All this cannot be cheap!
When preparing the body for painting, a lot of hinged elements, such as moldings and bumpers, are removed from it. That is, in addition to external defects, latent damage and foci of corrosion will necessarily be detected. But their elimination, as a rule, does not greatly affect the final cost of the work.
Preparing a car for painting is a laborious and extremely critical part of the work. Among other things, this is a full examination of the body, including hidden places, and the correction of detected sores. After such events, you can be sure that the car body is enough for a long time. Preparing a car for painting is a laborious and extremely critical part of the work. Among other things, this is a full examination of the body, including hidden places, and the correction of detected sores. After such events, you can be sure that the car body is enough for a long time.
The thickness of the new coat of paint with the proper approach is always more than the factory. If there were no dents on the body, but only scratches and other cosmetic damage, then the layer of fresh enamel averages 200–250 microns. The thicker paint and varnish “sandwich” does not carry any dividends or losses during the operation of the machine. Service coverage will age and wear similar to factory coverage. Perhaps the only noticeable plus - a more oily layer of varnish will allow you to make several additional approaches for abrasive polishing of the body, when necessary.
High-quality paintwork is an extremely difficult task. What just does not happen even with all the technologies and responsible approach. In the photo on the left - the specks that have fallen under the paint, and on the right shows the subsidence of the soil. High-quality paintwork is an extremely difficult task. What just does not happen even with all the technologies and responsible approach. In the photo on the left - the specks that have fallen under the paint, and on the right shows the subsidence of the soil.
Painting work requires high qualifications and appropriate equipment. If you are not a professional, then do not even try to do it yourself. Not only that, you must be able to paint well, it is necessary and competently prepare the body. Even experienced craftsmen who are well aware of all the nuances sometimes misfire, this is inevitable. Ground subsidence, debris, visible boundaries of the repair zone on the body element, varnish rejection, the reappearance of internal rust - this is not a complete list of possible problems.
What to choose?
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Choosing between gluing a machine with vinyl film and painting, you should be guided by two simple facts.
Vinyl was originally invented as an element of external car styling. This is just a temporary wrapper with a very limited lifespan. It only hides tired paintwork. On the other hand, this solution allows you to give the iron horse the desired look and cheaply experiment with it. After all, if you want, you can try to learn how to paste the car on your own and not pay a lot of money to services. However, problems with the paintwork will still have to be decided later or moved in price when selling a car.
Paint or wrap? Basically, the choice depends on the specific goals of the car owner. Paint or wrap? Basically, the choice depends on the specific goals of the car owner.
Repainting a car is an expensive and long-lasting investment. This solution will allow for a long time to refresh the body, as well as treat the sores that have appeared on time. The new paintwork will last no less than the factory. The current owner is unlikely to have to invest in the appearance of the car, and when it is sold, a refreshed body will be a good competitive advantage. And fans of styling can always choose a new color or even use several options.
Thus, the coloring of the body initially has a significant advantage compared to vinyl. And considering that the price of pasting with a film (provided that you contact the professionals) is comparable to painting, the conclusion is obvious: a new paint coating is much more profitable than a film.
