Car wrapping with film — this is a real breakthrough in body styling. A variety of vinyl of various colors and textures can literally work wonders. Chrome, carbon, matte and many other car films completely transform the car. And most importantly, the price of covering a car with film, like the cost of vinyl, has become very affordable.
For us, wrapping a car with film is a favorite job that we try to do as best as possible. Our team of professionals welcomes any clients and orders from covering side mirrors to wrapping an entire fleet of cars. Below we have outlined some of the features of covering cars with vinyl films: what the cost of wrapping consists of, where is the best place to order body coverings, and much more.
What is carbon
This is an ultra-modern polymer carbon fiber, which consists of the finest carbon threads held together with resins. High-quality carbon fiber is very strong and lightweight (almost twice as light as steel) and is very expensive. The high price is due to the complexity of manufacturing.
But there is a more budget-friendly alternative - carbon fiber-look vinyl film, which is visually no different from real carbon fiber.
ADVICE! Vinyl film with a carbon fiber texture can be coated with ceramics. This will extend the life of the film, provide additional protective properties and provide an incredible deep shade.
Lacquered Carbon 5D.
Until recently, car vinyl with an imitation of real varnished carbon fiber was obscenely expensive. However, this did not stop those who wanted to turn their car into a “candy”. Now such stylization is available to everyone. 5D carbon film under varnish costs a little more than regular car vinyl, but it looks many times better. Let us remind you that standard 3D carbon has rectangular cells of small or medium size. This material has become widespread throughout the world: most people have seen cars covered with this film.
In turn, the carbon film under the varnish is a classic vinyl coated with an additional transparent layer on top. A similar effect can be achieved by taking regular carbon fiber and sticking an anti-gravel film on it. True, the result will be worse, and the costs will be higher than using factory 5D vinyl. Previously, this made sense, since glossy 5D carbon was very expensive, but now it’s easier to buy finished products and not have to worry about it.
What is carbon film
This is a type of vinyl film that imitates the texture of carbon fiber. Produced on the basis of polyvinyl chloride with a matte or glossy surface. The quality of the film largely depends on the PVC calendering technology, which allows it to take the desired shape under the influence of heat and be molded without visible seams.
Carbon film is widely used in car styling for finishing body and interior parts, as well as complete car/motorcycle wrapping. In addition to aesthetics, it performs a protective function - it serves as a protective barrier that protects the body from corrosion and scratches.
6D carbon film under varnish.
A few years ago, 4D carbon was considered the newest film. Unlike 3D vinyl, the shape of its cells is not rectangular, but rounded, which gives some depth. The beautiful glossy texture of 4D film looks especially impressive on curves. By the way, glossy carbon is still popular, because varnished films cannot replace it due to its large thickness.
By analogy with 5D vinyl, 6D carbon film under varnish differs from 4D only in the laminating coating. But it is this transparent layer that completely changes the perception: the effect of depth is greatly enhanced. At first glance, it is difficult to distinguish between real carbon fiber and 6D film. Moreover, the latter costs an order of magnitude lower. You no longer need to order the production of a carbon part just to decorate the interior: vinyl wrapping will cost less, and styling work will be completed in just a few hours.
Types of carbon film
- 2D - the first vinyl films, have a static pattern with a protective laminated layer.
- 3D is a multilayer vinyl film with a three-dimensional structure. The volumetric effect is achieved by applying straight relief microstripes to the surface, which change color saturation at different angles.
- 4D - has an even deeper texture, allowing you to recreate the volume and relief of real carbon fiber not only visually, but also to the touch. The relief stripes look like hemispheres and create a stunning visual effect.
How does the carbon coating process work?
Car wrapping with carbon fiber takes place in several stages:
It is important to maintain the correct temperature: from +10°C to +30°C. The room in which the work takes place must be clean to prevent, as far as possible, dust from settling on the covering areas. To remove air bubbles and eliminate unevenness, craftsmen use a squeegee. After blowing with a technical hair dryer, the film becomes more elastic and pliable.
The material should include instructions from the manufacturer with tips on how to cover a car with carbon fiber of their brand. You can glue the carbon film with your own hands, without using the services of craftsmen. In this case, the only expense will be the cost of the material. But before deciding to cover a car with carbon yourself, you need to carefully study the entire process and its features.
Color solutions
- Classic colors - gray, white, graphite, silver. Popular ones are blue, green, cherry. Today you can find almost the entire spectrum on sale - from transparent to black, as well as glamorous pink colors. Also in fashion is “predatory” coloring to match the skin of reptiles.
- Chrome film. Metallized film with a transparent structural layer. Shines brightly in the sun, but does not glare. The most difficult thing about pasting is that it cannot be subjected to heat treatment and stretched: when the tension is critical, the surface immediately becomes cloudy.
- Mother of pearl. The structure includes mother-of-pearl of 4 or more shades, creating a “chameleon” effect.
Glossy 7D carbon.
Among the latest achievements of the chemical industry in the field of automotive design, it is worth noting the glossy 7D carbon fiber. This film is as close in appearance as possible to carbon fabric coated with varnish. Unlike 5D and 6D carbon fiber, 7D vinyl does not exist without a laminate layer: if you remove it, the effect will completely disappear.
Lacquered carbon film 7d is an amazingly beautiful and, at the same time, affordable material. Considering that it takes about one to two meters of film to stylize a car’s interior, the issue of price is unlikely to influence the car owner’s choice.
How we wrap a car in carbon fiber
We carry out work in a specially equipped box with strict adherence to technological standards. First, we clean the machine from dirt and degrease the working surface.
Depending on the brand and type of film, we use the technique of hydrographic printing (under water pressure) or airbrushing (a warm stream of air). The master must take into account the configuration and bending of the part, the degree of tightening and many other factors. Only with this approach the film will “sit down” like a second skin.
The wrapping procedure takes from 1 to 3 days, in complex cases - up to 7. The cost of the service is calculated individually, depending on the scope of work and the chosen film.
Features of working with carbon varnished films.
The main feature of pasting with varnished films is their large thickness. You need to remember this when choosing car vinyl. It may be better for your purposes to go with 3D or 4D carbon: they are much easier to work with. Varnished carbon 5d, as well as film 6d and 7d, are suitable for covering simple car elements.
5D carbon film on the hood.
Many car owners want to cover the hood. This detail is the first to attract attention and creates an impression of the entire car. 5D carbon film under varnish is suitable for covering the hood: with rare exceptions, there are no complex elements on it, so the pasting process is quick. Vinyl 5D will look beautiful against a black body and contrast effectively with the white finish of the car.
Lacquered carbon fiber 6D on the roof.
The roof of the car is covered even more simply than the hood. Material consumption is approximately the same. 6D carbon fiber under varnish is glued to the roof as an alternative to black glossy film: 6D vinyl looks more attractive.
Glossy 7D carbon film on the trunk.
Covering the trunk with 7D carbon fiber does not cause any difficulties. To cover this part you will need from 0.5 to 1 linear meter of vinyl. Glossy carbon film 7D will make the trunk of the car much more interesting and will hide the traces of many years of use.
Carbon fiber under varnish in the car interior.
Most often, varnish films are purchased to update the interior of a car. Lacquered carbon is used to cover the steering wheel, gear knob, instrument panel and all sorts of small elements that abound in the car’s interior.
Lacquered carbon fiber covering of side mirrors, fenders and bumpers.
As already mentioned, the carbon fiber under the varnish has an impressive thickness. This imposes certain restrictions on operations with this material. Covering parts like the bumper or side mirrors takes longer. Therefore, this procedure should only be performed by a specialist. A beginner will not be able to cope with covering a bumper with 6D carbon fiber.
Some masters even refuse to take on such work. If you decide to cover a complex element (for example, mirrors or wings) with varnished carbon yourself, do not forget to use a primer in all recesses, joints and along the edges to enhance the adhesion of the vinyl to the surface.
In what cases is carbon styling needed?
- In order to highlight the car and make it unique.
- If you need to mask body defects (scratches, dents, etc.).
- For easier car care, dirt from the film can be removed very easily.
If you want to find out if you like carbon styling, start small - coat just the pillars, hood or trunk lid. The film can be removed at any time (under heat) - the factory paintwork will remain intact. If you like it, feel free to order a full wrap, including interior trim, tinting of optics and mirrors.
Advantages
Car vinyl that imitates the texture of carbon fiber is chosen primarily for its ability to distinguish a car from the monotonous mass of similar models. How appropriate these changes are is to be judged only by the owner: if a car covered with a carbon film meets the tastes of the car owner, then the goal of restyling has been achieved. Car vinyl, among other things:
- protects the car body from the appearance of small chips and small scratches on its surface;
- protects paintwork from ultraviolet radiation;
- prevents factory paint from coming into contact with chemicals used on roads in winter.
Carbon film is low maintenance and durable: with careful use and proper care, it will last 5–7 years. If the coating with auto vinyl was carried out in compliance with the technology and on factory paint, the material can be easily removed if necessary, without causing harm to the paint layer. In some cases, the film is heated with a hair dryer before application.
Glossy carbon film in souvenir products.
Glossy carbon film 4D and 6D is often used to make all kinds of souvenirs: keychains, business card holders, gifts, wallets. Thanks to a large selection of colors and textures, glossy carbon film is used for restoring the surface of furniture elements, mobile phones, and tablets. With the help of a skilled and professional craftsman, you can create a unique souvenir to order. A specialist will select the most successful combination of colors of glossy carbon film for a specific souvenir.
Due to its ability to take on any shape, glossy carbon film is used in the manufacture of souvenir mugs, pens, figurines of various animals and many other things, it all depends on the designer’s imagination.
Professional creators of souvenir products appreciated the properties of glossy carbon film and came up with a lot of options for its use.
Due to the fact that vinyl glossy carbon is cheap, it is often used to decorate all kinds of crafts and souvenirs. Souvenir products made using glossy carbon film do not lose their presentation in any weather conditions. This is especially valuable for sellers of these products that are displayed or used in open areas.
Necessary equipment
To cover a car with carbon fiber yourself, you will need:
- the film itself;
- degreaser;
- clean rags;
- stationery knife;
- squeegee made of rubber or plastic;
- masking tape;
- car shampoo or detergent;
- industrial dryer;
- primer
To cover the car body with your own hands, it is better to choose a room (garage).
Work is usually not carried out outdoors, since the slightest wind can cause dust on a newly washed and prepared car, and the film itself cannot be applied at temperatures below +5 and above +30 degrees, as it may simply fall off over time.
Necessary tool for gluing carbon fiber
Car wrapping with film
We cover cars with film. We always have a wide selection of films of various colors, materials and textures available. We will select the film specifically for your car.
We wrap cars with vinyl film. The price depends on the quality of the chosen film, the area covered and the car itself. We guarantee an individual approach to solving your problem. We can cover the film with ceramics.
We cover cars with carbon film. We have films from different manufacturers, textures and colors in our arsenal. We cover the film with ceramics.
We cover the car with camouflage film. There are different camouflages: pixel, forest, chopped, winter, desert and others. We offer films from different manufacturers. We will choose the best option for your car. We recommend covering the film with ceramics.
We remove films from cars: vinyl, polyurethane (protective, anti-gravel), carbon and advertising. No marks or scratches.
We high-quality wrap cars of all brands with films of various colors and textures. We use materials from famous world brands: Suntek, 3 M, KPMF, Oraguard, Orafol, Magical Carbon, Grafityp, Nippon, Metamark.
The film protects the body from mechanical damage and exposure to aggressive environmental factors. If you decide to remove it, there will be no scratches or adhesive marks left on the paintwork (as long as it is professionally removed).
