How Much Wrap Do I Need?
For some auto enthusiasts, the stock version of their ride is merely a work in progress. Their ride only becomes complete after they add a personal touch to help it reach its full potential. In many cases, that personal touch is a vinyl wrap. However, installing vinyl wrap can be a tricky business.
One of the first steps in starting an auto wrap project is determining how much wrap you'll need. Keep reading to learn about the amount of vinyl an auto wrap project requires!
How Much Vinyl Do I Need?
The two primary factors to consider when deciding how much vinyl you need to wrap your car are vehicle size and wrap area. When planning a vehicle wrap project, it's crucial to estimate how much wrap film will be needed to cover different parts or entire vehicles. The amount of wrap required depends on the size and shape of the surfaces to be wrapped, allowing for some excess to account for installation and potential mistakes. Below is a detailed guide to help you estimate the right amount of 60-inch wide wrap film for various vehicle parts and types.
Estimating Wrap Film by Vehicle Part and Type
Wrap film comes in different sizes and rolls, but most commonly, 60-inch wide wrap film is used for larger applications, offering great coverage and minimal seams. Proper estimation is key to avoiding waste or running out of material mid-project.
Smaller Vehicle Parts
For smaller parts like fenders, rims, and bumpers, you will require a smaller length of wrap film. These areas tend to have curves and edges, so it's important to include extra material to ensure complete coverage.
- Fenders: 10-15 feet per fender, depending on size and complexity.
- Rims: 5-10 feet for all four rims, accounting for diameter and shape.
- Hood & Roof: 10-15 feet for the hood and 10-15 feet for the roof of the vehicle.
- Bumper & Grille: 10-15 feet for the front and rear bumpers combined, considering curves and installation ease.
Recreational Vehicles and Toys
Recreational vehicles like ATVs, Jet Skis, and scooters tend to have complex shapes and smaller surfaces. Their smaller size reduces the overall wrap requirements, but it’s important to account for the curves and tight corners that can increase film usage.
- ATVs: 20-25 feet for complete coverage.
- Jet Skis: 20-25 feet, depending on the model and overall dimensions.
- Scooters: 10-15 feet, covering all necessary body parts.
- Motorcycles: 15-20 feet to wrap the body panels, tank, and fenders.
Full-Sized Vehicles
For larger vehicles like coupes, sedans, SUVs, and trucks, significantly more wrap material will be needed. These vehicles have more surface area and often require additional film for areas like the roof, hood, doors, and body panels.
- Coupes: 50-60 feet of wrap film, depending on the model size.
- Sedans: 60-70 feet for full coverage, accounting for the roof and additional body panels.
- Pickup Trucks: 70-80 feet to cover the entire vehicle, including the bed and tailgate.
- SUVs: 80-90 feet for large SUVs, given their extensive body size and surface area.
- Vans: 90-100 feet, especially for larger vans, which have more expansive side panels and roof space.
Utility and Off-Road Vehicles
Utility Task Vehicles (UTVs) and golf carts are popular wrap candidates for customization. While smaller than full-sized vehicles, they still require substantial amounts of wrap film to account for their body structures and exposed surfaces.
- Golf Carts: 20-25 feet, depending on cart size and body configuration.
- UTVs: 30-35 feet to wrap all body panels and side sections.
Marine Vehicles
Wrapping watercraft, such as boats, presents its own set of challenges due to the larger surface area and the need for seamless application in many areas. Boats come in various sizes, so estimating the amount of wrap film is more variable based on the length and type of the boat.
- Boats: 100-150 feet, depending on the size, length, and style of the boat.
By using these guidelines, you can better estimate how much 60-inch wide wrap film you will need for your project. Always remember to order a bit extra to account for errors, seams, and installation difficulties, especially when dealing with larger or more complex shapes. Planning ahead will help ensure a smooth wrap installation and excellent coverage on all parts.
The figures above offer a general idea of how much you should budget for your vinyl wrap project. However, each make and model has unique shapes and curvatures. Even if you use a vinyl wrap calculator to determine how much vinyl you need, you should still measure your vehicle to get a precise number.
Wrap Area
The other factor that influences your vinyl sizing needs is the area you intend to wrap. While a full wrap involves covering your car's entire exterior apart from lights and windows, you can apply partial wraps to several areas of your whip, including the following:
How to Measure for a Wrap
The process of measuring your car for vinyl wraps varies depending on the area you want to cover — you'll need to take different measurements for a full wrap than if you're only wrapping the hood or rocker panel. Here are some tips for measuring your vehicle for full and partial wraps.
Measuring for a Full-Wrap
Since vinyl wrap film rolls are wide enough to cover the width of cars or trucks easily, you'll only need to measure the length to determine how much you'll need. The driver and passenger side lengths are the same — you can measure from the front fender edge to the rear fender edge on either side.
To account for your vehicle's curvature, add six inches to both the front and back. You'll use this extra material, called bleed material, to pull the film over the vehicle during installation.
Once you've measured the length, you can use this handy formula to make sure you get the right amount of vinyl wrap:
- Full wraps on sedans, including bumpers: Multiply the length by four.
- Full wraps on sedans without bumpers: Multiply the length by 3.25.
- Full wraps on trucks, including bumpers: Multiply the length by 3.75.
- Full wraps on trucks without bumpers: Multiply the length by three.
Keep in mind that you may need extra wrap for the roof. As you prepare to install the wrap, you'll need to measure each section so you can make precise cuts in the material.
Measuring for a Partial Wrap
Partial wrap measurements vary according to the area you want to cover. For example, calculating vinyl for a hood wrap means that while the width measurement is straightforward, you'll need to measure the length along both the sides and center of the hood to account for any curvature. Moreover, hood, door, trunk and other car body parts vary with different makes and models.
Make sure to measure the area you intend to wrap thoroughly. Account for curvature by making perpendicular measurements across the curve and adding a few inches of bleed material for pulling.
Always Buy More vinyl Than You Need
No matter how careful you were with your measurements and how confident you are in your calculations, it's wise to buy a few extra yards to account for any potential mistakes during the installation process.
You may also benefit from purchasing surplus wrap in case you need bodywork done in the future. Wrap shades vary with each seller and sometimes go out of production. If the color doesn't match, the wrap that once put your car a tier above the rest may become more of an eyesore. Buying extra at the outset can save you from having to start from scratch for a seamless look.
Other Vinyl Wrap Tips
After measuring your wrapping area and ordering the vinyl, you want to make sure you make the most of the material you receive. Here are some tips to help you use your vinyl wrap efficiently with as little waste as possible:
- Ensure the surface is perfectly smooth and clean: Wraps magnify any debris on the surface, from a clump of dirt to the tiniest speck of dust. Be sure to give your ride a thorough clean and polish before installing the wrap.
- Install the wrap in a clean, sheltered space: Keeping your car's surface clean while installing a wrap can be an uphill battle if you're working in the open air or a dirty garage. It takes several days to install a complete wrap, so find a clean, sheltered space where it's easy to keep the surface free from debris.
- If possible, wrap your ride in the summer on dry, warm days: Cold weather makes the vinyl stiff and more prone to cracking as you stretch it across your car, while increased humidity prolongs the curing process. The optimal time to install a wrap is on a hot, dry summer day.
- Gather all the tools you need to perform the wrap before starting: There's not much worse than getting to the middle of a project and realizing you're missing an essential tool to keep going. To avoid this and the errors that often follow, make sure you have all the tools you need before starting the installation process.
- Open the vinyl on a table, not on the ground: Just as you want your car's surface to be pristine, you also want to prevent any debris from sticking to the underside of the wrap.
Order Your Wrap From Rvinyl
Once you know how much vinyl wrap you need for your project, Rvinyl can help you take the next step. Our experts can answer any questions regarding vinyl wrap sizing and other matters related to car wraps. Browse our selection of wraps to find one that suits your preference and shop with Rvinyl today!