Preparing the surface of your vehicle is essential to having a successful wrap installation. Without prepping the surface you may end up with dust specks under the vinyl, lifting edges, bubbles, among other issues.
Before starting to wrap your car make sure to follow these basic guidelines If you have chipped or sun damaged paint it is important to first sand the surface down. If there are any rusted areas you will have to repair that body panel before wrapping. Any bare metal will need to be primed prior to application. Vinyl that is applied directly to metal is susceptible to burns from intense heat.
After achieving a smooth, even surface you should wash your car with soap and water. Do not use any detailing products, as they can leave behind residue that will cause adhesive failure. Hand drying with a microfiber towel is recommended.
Make sure to remove trim pieces, decals, emblems, and badges. To more easily remove badges and emblems you can pour hot water on them to soften up the adhesive.
Next you will want to clean the surface with a 50/50 mixture of isopropyl alcohol and water. This will remove any leftover oils, wax, adhesive residue, and grime.
After following all of the above steps, you are ready to start wrapping!
