Want to change the look of your vehicle? You’ll want to get a vinyl wrap. Want to protect your existing paint job? You want to get clear paint protection film.
The distinction really is as simple as that, but as you read this article, you’ll learn about the differences between each, what materials each is made of, the cost of each, the customization options for both, and so much more:
What Is The Difference Between Wrap Film And Clear Paint Protection?
Both vinyl wraps and clear paint protection film (PPF) are polymer wraps that cover the body of a vehicle, but both serve very different purposes. While vinyl wraps are used to alter the appearance of a vehicle, PPF is used to protect a vehicle’s paint, letting the colour of the paint shine through.
Here at SpeedPro Oshawa, we do not offer clear PPF; our goal is to provide business owners with custom vinyl graphics that help them boost brand awareness and grow their bottom line. We do, however, recognize that many vehicle owners might be looking into vinyl wraps or PPF as methods of protecting their vehicles; we’re here to give the breakdown of each, so you can decide what’s best for you.
Wrap Film: Make A Bold Statement With Custom Designs
Vinyl wrap, sometimes simply known as vehicle wrap or car wrap, is designed to transform the look of your vehicle. Though technically, vinyl wrap offers some protection for your vehicle’s paint, it is minimal – a vehicle with vinyl wrap actually requires more careful maintenance than one without.
The tradeoff you get for that maintenance is incredible, however – a way to advertise your business and get more customers, 24/7, for a fraction of the cost of a billboard or traditional advertising. Here’s how it works:
Material
Vinyl wrap is made out of cast polyvinyl chloride (PVC) – commonly known as vinyl! Cast vinyl is used instead of calendared vinyl for vehicle wraps; this just means that the vinyl is poured onto a paper or polymer liner, making it more flexible. This flexibility makes it much easier for the vinyl to contour a vehicle. Laminates are often used on top of the cast vinyl in order to add resistance to UV rays and abrasion.
Customization
When it comes to customizing the look of your vehicle, nothing beats a vinyl wrap. Vinyl wraps come in basically any colour you can imagine – and on top of that, you can print any text or images that you want onto your wrap. They can also be cut to cover all or part of your vehicle; the sky’s the limit. This level of customization is what makes vinyl wrap perfect for vehicle branding!
Protection
Protection is where vinyl wraps lag behind. Technically, they do protect your vehicle’s paint from damage, but if paint protection is all you’re looking for, you’re better off going with PPF.
The reason for this is pretty straightforward: When you have a vinyl wrap, protecting your paint won’t be a concern, but protecting your wrap will be. Vinyl wraps can get damaged from scratches, road salt, sunlight, bird droppings, rain, snow, and more. With proper care, none of these things will leave a lasting mark – but that care is necessary.
Durability
With proper maintenance, vinyl wrap film is quite durable; on average, our vehicle wraps last for 3 to 7 years, with some wraps lasting even longer. Horizontal surfaces (your hood and your roof) tend to fade more quickly than vertical surfaces, and some fading is almost inevitable within the first few years – but that bit of fading won’t take away from the advertising opportunities you get from a custom vinyl wrap.
Cost
The cost of a vinyl wrap depends on a number of factors, including the size of your vehicle, the design of the wrap, and more. Budget at least $2500 to $3500 for a full vehicle wrap, but know that the cost could be more or less depending on various factors.
Maintenance
Maintenance on vinyl wraps isn’t a massive chore, but it is a bit involved. You want to avoid parking your vehicle in direct sunlight and try to get it under an overhang or in a garage when it’s raining or snowing. When cleaning your vinyl wrap, you want to use soap and water, and you cannot run it through an automatic car wash.
When you work with us to get a custom vinyl wrap for your vehicle, we’ll give you a number of maintenance tips to keep your wrap in tip-top shape for as long as possible.
Clear Paint Protection Film: Invisible Shield For Your Vehicle’s Finish
Want to protect your vehicle’s paint job? That’s when you need to apply paint protection film. The goal of paint protection film (PPF) is to protect automotive paint from minor scratches, rock chips, UV rays, and other wear and tear, keeping your vehicle’s finish looking vibrant.
Material
PPF is made using thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU); aliphatic TPU is common because it stays clear even after being exposed to UV rays.
There are several different ways of manufacturing TPU PPF; by using elastomeric polyurethane, paint protection film can gain self-healing properties, flowing into and filling scratches when exposed to sunlight. Additives can also be used to make your paint protection film hydrophobic, prolonging its lifespan and its ability to protect your vehicle from water damage.
Customization
There are limits to how much you can customize paint protection film; its main goal is to protect your existing paint, not to modify the look of your vehicle. You can find coloured paint protection film products, however, which offer some level of customization.
The main customization you’ll find for car paint protection film is in the types of protection they offer; as we mentioned in the previous section, you can get PPF with hydrophobic or self-healing properties.
Protection
Protection is where PPF shines; it offers superior protection for painted surfaces when compared to vinyl wraps. Paint protection film products that have been properly installed can protect your vehicle from scratches and other abrasions, rock chips, UV rays, bird droppings, and more; they’re a great way to maintain and protect your vehicle’s paint job.
Durability
PPF is designed to be durable; with proper maintenance, it has a pretty incredible lifespan. With proper installation, PPF can last for a decade. That’s why professional paint protection film installation is absolutely key; if you don’t install it properly, there can be weak points where debris can infiltrate the PPF, unsightly wrinkles, lifting, and other problems that will dramatically reduce the lifespan of your PPF.
Cost
Paint protection film tends to cost more than vinyl wraps, mostly because of the cost of the materials themselves. A high-quality paint protection film that covers your entire vehicle will typically cost anywhere between $5000-$7000, depending on the size of your vehicle, the installer, and whether or not you’re getting features like hydrophobic coatings or self-healing properties.
Maintenance
Maintenance for PPF is remarkably similar to maintenance for vinyl wrap; after all, they are both plastic films you are placing on your vehicle. The same basic ideas apply; you’ll want to wash your PPF with soap and water regularly, spot cleaning bird droppings and other debris as soon as possible. Do not run a vehicle with PPF through an automatic car wash!
Unlike vinyl wraps, however, you can leave a vehicle with PPF out in the sun or in the snow and rain (especially if it’s hydrophobic) without too much difficulty.
Key Comparison: Wrap Film Vs. Clear Film In Ontario
| Wrap Type | Vinyl Wrap | PPF |
| Material | PVC | TPU |
| Customization | Extremely customizable | Little customization |
| Protection | Marginal | Substantial; protects from UV rays, scratches, and more |
| Durability | 3-7 years | 10 years |
| Cost | ~$2500-$3500 for a full wrap | ~$5000-$7000 for a full wrap |
| Maintenance | Soap and water, no automatic car washes, avoid leaving it in harsh weather | Soap and water, no automatic car washes |
Which One Is Right For You?
The original title of this article was “Vinyl Wrap Film Vs. Clear Film Ontario: Which One Is Right For You?” We decided that wasn’t elegant, but it is the point, so let’s answer the question:
Are you a business owner looking to boost brand awareness and increase sales, 24/7, without the need for an expensive billboard? We highly recommend getting a custom vinyl wrap. As you drive from place to place, or job site to job site, potential clients will see your business logo, your contact information, and more, and have the opportunity to connect with your business.
Are you a car enthusiast looking to protect your car’s paint? Get paint protection film; it will keep your paint job looking incredible for years to come.
Where To Get Vehicle Wraps In Oshawa
Call the team at SpeedPro Oshawa! We custom-design, print, and install vehicle wraps for businesses. We can wrap a single vehicle, or even custom design wraps for your entire fleet – it’s up to you! We’ve been making vehicle wraps that drive sales for a long time, and we use high-quality cast vinyl wraps from the best in the business – companies like 3M and Avery.
Give us a call for a free consultation; we think you’ll love what we have to offer!
