How long does a car wrap last?

In short: How long a car wrap lasts is stated by the film manufacturer in the data sheet. For high-quality cast films, that is many years on vertical surfaces, varying with the colour. These values refer to Central European conditions and are not a guarantee. In practice, the roof and bonnet age first. Parking, care and workmanship also play a part.

If you have your car wrapped, you want to know how long it will last. A single number of years would be the most convenient answer, but it would not be honest. Here is where the figures come from, what they mean and what you can influence yourself.

What the manufacturers state

Every film manufacturer states a durability in the technical data sheet. One example is the data sheet of Avery Dennison Supreme Wrapping Film, a cast film for vehicle wrapping (issue 08/2016):

Colour group	Vertical surfaces
White and black	12 years
Colours	10 years
Metallic and pearl	5 years

The conditions behind these figures matter. The manufacturer adds that the values are based on Central European exposure conditions, that they are typical values and not a guarantee, and that durability decreases, among other things, for south-facing exposure, long periods of heat, industrial pollution or high altitudes. Other films and other manufacturers state other values. For your film, its own data sheet is what counts.

Vertical is not horizontal

The data sheet figures apply to vertical surfaces, i.e. doors, side panels and rear. The roof, bonnet and boot lid lie flat in the sun, collect dirt and get more UV radiation. The film usually ages earlier there. That is why a wrap often looks tired on the roof first, while the doors are still fine.

What determines durability

• The film: cast films are made for vehicles with their curves and usually last longer there than calendered films. We explain the difference in the article cast or calendered vinyl.
• Colour and finish: as the example above shows, the same film series can last for different lengths of time depending on the colour. Effect films are often below solid colours.
• Parking: a garage or carport protects against sun and weather. A car that stands in full sun every day ages faster.
• Care: dirt, bird droppings and insects attack the surface if left for long. Brush car washes can lift edges. The rules are in the article car wrap care. Matte film has its own rules, see matte car wrap.
• Workmanship: clean preparation, film that is not overstretched and well-finished edges decide whether something comes loose after the first winter.

How to tell that the film is ageing

• The colour fades or becomes uneven, often on the roof first.
• The gloss diminishes, the surface looks dull or chalky.
• Fine cracks, especially in heavily stretched areas.
• Edges lift or the film pulls back at joints.

Individual parts can be renewed without rewrapping the whole car. If, for example, only the roof has aged, only the roof is rewrapped, much like a partial wrap.

Remove it in good time

High-quality films are designed to be removable after their intended service life. The longer a film stays on the car beyond that and the more it ages, the more laborious removal can become. Brittle film tears into small pieces, and adhesive residue is more likely to remain. How removal works is covered in the article removing a car wrap. If you want to remove the film again, for example at the end of a lease, plan for it. More on this in the article wrapping a leased car; what else to watch out for when removing film is covered in the article paint protection film: disadvantages and limits.

One van, two speeds

The case is made up, but typical. A wrapped company vehicle is parked outdoors every night and goes through the car wash daily. After a few years, the sides are still in good condition, the roof has faded and two edges are lifting on the bonnet.

Rewrapping the entire vehicle would not be necessary. The roof and bonnet are renewed, the sides stay. For the coming years, gentler washing helps. A garage is often not feasible for a van, but awareness of the more exposed surfaces is.

Conclusion: the data sheet is the start, not the answer

The manufacturer's figure shows what a film can achieve under good conditions. How long your wrap actually looks good depends on the film, colour, parking, care and workmanship. Three questions help with planning:

• Which film will be used, and what does its data sheet say?
• Is the car usually parked in the sun or protected?
• How long should the wrap stay on, and should it come off again afterwards?

We tell you which film we suggest for your vehicle and what its data sheet states. More on our page vehicle graphics & wrapping; questions are welcome via contact.

All topics around car wrapping at a glance: wrapping a car: the complete guide.

Frequently asked questions

How many years does a car wrap last?

That is stated in the data sheet of the film in question. One example: in its 2016 data sheet, Avery Dennison states up to 12 years for white and black, 10 years for colours and 5 years for metallic and pearl for its Supreme Wrapping Film. These values apply to vertical surfaces under Central European conditions and are not a guarantee. Horizontal surfaces, sun, heat and care shorten the time.

Which parts of a wrap age first?

Usually the roof, bonnet and boot lid, because they get the most sun. Manufacturer data usually only applies to vertical surfaces such as doors and side panels. Edges and heavily stretched areas are also sensitive.

Can an old wrap be removed without problems?

High-quality films are designed to be removable within their intended service life. If the film has aged badly or become brittle, removal is more laborious because it can tear into small pieces. If you want to remove the film again, for example on a leased car, plan for it in good time.