Quite often we get customers asking if we can cover up inferior paint due to either scratches, dents, rust, or bad paint condition with a vehicle wrap.

It should be noted that while we can wrap over scratches and dents, they will actually show through the wrap just as they would if you painted over them without preparing the surface.

 When painting a vehicle, it is important to prepare the surface so that it’s smooth and clean, getting rid of any scratches or dents and repairing any rust - this is the same for a vehicle wrap. Anything that is under the wrap will show through so if you don’t want to scratch or dent to show through, you need to get it repaired and painted before wrapping.

Regarding inferior paint, either when the paint has become chalky, or the clear coat has started to separate it is near impossible to wrap these areas. Chalky paint will leave a thin layer of chalky residue on the sticky side of the wrap, it won’t stick to the vehicle surface and needs to be sanded and repainted before wrapping.

When the clear coat is starting to separate from the base paint it is nearly impossible to get a good wrap on that surface. In the process of wrapping sometimes there is a need to lift the wrap off the vehicle to either reposition it or stretch it into position and any loose surface like separating clear coat will stick to the wrap more than it will stick the base paint. It can also leave a jagged edge that can be seen through the wrap.

This type of surface will need to be completely sanded back and repainted before being wrapped.

Scratches, dents, rust or bad paint cannot be hidden using a wrap. There is no shortcut to preparing your vehicle surface before getting a car wrap.

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