Hints & Tips

Handling Pricing Enquiries 

When a potential customer asks, "How much to wrap my car?", how you respond sets the tone. Do you come across as professional or casual? For example, do you say, "Can I book you in for a consultation?" or give a quick, vague answer like, "Prices start from £££ to ££££"?

The best approach is to ask questions before giving any price information. 

Here are some examples:

• "What is the age and colour of the vehicle?"
• "Has the vehicle had any repairs?"
• "How much of the vehicle needs wrapping?"
• "Does the customer expect areas like door shuts to be included?"

Customers often think they know exactly what they need, but as the expert, you need to guide the process. Showing your professionalism early builds trust and reassures them that you’re providing value, not just a quick fix. This approach also reduces the likelihood they’ll compare you to cheaper, less skilled competitors.

If you can, set up your website or social media pages to streamline this process. A webpage outlining what you need to know for an accurate quote is helpful and reassures potential customers that your services are thorough. Quick videos explaining your process can also build trust and answer common questions upfront. 

The Consultation Stage

Encourage customers to bring their vehicle in for a consultation. This step is vital for inspecting the paintwork and managing expectations.

• Show Them the Standard: If you’ve wrapped your own vehicle, use it to visually demonstrate the quality they can expect. 
• Test Areas: Apply a small sample over any paint chips to show how imperfections might appear under the wrap. 
• Follow Up: Send a detailed email summarising the consultation. Include instructions for preparing the vehicle, such as delivering it clean but not waxed. 

Preparing Your Workspace 

• Keep It Clean: Avoid dust-attracting flooring like carpet tiles or faux grass. Vacuum instead of sweeping, and mop regularly. 
• Lighting: Use daylight bulbs installed halfway up walls or portable lighting units to spot imperfections during the wrap. 
• Power Supply: Ensure your setup can handle multiple tools like heat guns without overloading extension cables. 

How to Prepare

The vehicle should arrive the day before wrapping to ensure it’s properly cleaned and dry. 

• Washing: A simple soap-and-water wash isn’t enough. Use a clay bar for a deeper clean and blow out trapped moisture with an airline. 
• Removing Components: Carefully remove badges and number plates, taping screws to the items and storing them in labelled bags. If replacement badges are needed, order them well in advance. High-end vehicles may have badges made from precious metals, so take extra care. 
• Inspecting the Vehicle: During the inspection, document any scratches, chips, or cracks, and email photos to the customer for confirmation. This protects you from potential disputes later. 

Graphic Preparation

• Outgassing: Allow prints to outgas properly before laminating. Hang them with airflow (like laundry) to ensure solvents dissipate fully. Avoid laying prints flat, but, if necessary, use a fan to disperse solvents. 
• Laminating: When laminating, avoid using heat initially to prevent tension issues. If silvering occurs, you can apply gentle heat afterwards. Prioritise laminating prints in the order they’ll be installed. 

Winter Printing

Always allow digital media to acclimatise to room temperatures before printing. Cold rolls of vinyl can attract condensation, which isn’t always visible but can cause issues with ink adhesion or material tension. Plan ahead by storing your rolls in the print room for several days before use. 

Ordering Material

Always order extra material to account for potential waste, especially for metallic or colour-shifting wraps. These require precise orientation, which can lead to offcuts.

Material Alignment

Pay close attention to the material’s alignment for consistency across the entire vehicle. 

Installation Process

• Start with Complex Areas: Begin with bumpers, wing mirrors, and recessed sections. These areas benefit from extra bonding time and tackling them early allows you to address any issues without pressure. 
• Overlaps and Inlays: For overlaps, always apply lower or rear sections first to minimise exposure to wind and rain. If inlays are needed, install them first to avoid a patchy appearance. 
• Post-Heat: Once a panel is complete, post-heat it to the manufacturer’s specifications (usually around 100°C). This step ensures proper adhesion and highlights any trapped air. 

Aftercare

When the customer collects their vehicle, they’ll likely be focused on the transformation and may miss small details. Arrange a follow-up inspection a few weeks later to ensure everything is perfect. 

Provide printed aftercare instructions and explain:

• Why they shouldn’t wash the vehicle for at least a week (the adhesive needs time to bond).
• Why pressure washing can damage a new wrap, particularly in the first few weeks.
• Encourage hand washing with a sponge and bucket to maintain the wrap’s finish.