Here are a few questions often asked about vinyl;
Q. How long will it last, and does it handle the elements (snow, rain, ice)?
A. Most newer cast vinyls have a life expectancy of 12 years out in the elements – generally speaking, this is more than the life of your car! It handles the elements very well. Most vinyls we use have a pressure sensitive adhesive and once stuck, are unaffected by the influence of harsh weather. Having said that though, it does come off without a hitch when required. Unless an edge lifts, or a tear occurs; it’s very rare that vinyl will weather prematurely.
Q. What can I expect in terms of quality versus a professional paint job?
A. In most, if not all cases, a proper vinyl job will be just as good as a professional grade paint job. Having said that though, there are a few things to be aware of with vinyl. For instance, small imperfections in the paint surface will be visible – vinyl isn’t magic, and so it can’t cover up your paint defects entirely. However, if applied to a properly maintained service, a vinyl job can look just as good for a fraction of the cost.
Q. Is it possible that the wheel arches or seams may lift?
A. Yes. This is not something we can guarantee because these areas are susceptible to water and dirt accumulation on a daily basis. We do the best we can to prevent this from occurring, and in most cases, it’s rare, but if in the event that it does occur, we will certainly be happy to take a look and alleviate the problem before too much damage occurs. If we can get to it in the early stages, it’s unlikely that we’ll have to take drastic corrective action.
Q. How much does it cost?!
A. This is a difficult question to answer unfortunately, and can really be done on basis of seeing the car in person. It depends on three factors – Time, Material used and Complexity of the vehicle. A vehicle with a sun roof poses a disadvantage over one without, and influences cost. A vehicle with a roof railing system or a vehicle with large wheel arches also influences price. It’s hard to determine without having first looked at the vehicle and assessed it from every angel. We strive to offer the BEST price around, and so we don’t want to make promises we can’t keep.
Q. How do I go about taking care of my vinyl?
A. Avoid pressure washing, that goes for drive-through washes and high pressure hoses. Also, avoid high heat, so avoid driving by fires or explosives(???). For gloss finishes, you can apply wax. Waxing it will help keep its shine and free of dirt, like caring for normal paint. Matte finishes should exercise caution – avoid waxes as they will stain the material, also avoid scraping it as it tends to show more than glossy finishes. White matte, contrary to most beliefs, doesn’t stay very bad, however, it’s cautioned that it should be washed and maintained more often than darker materials. You are free to wash it normally, as you would any car – simply avoid rubbing near seams with too much force, and again, avoid high pressure water systems.
If you have any other questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me!
