Tesla vehicles have futuristic designs and sleek bodies. You can add personal touch and protection to it. The best and top customization option is Tesla wrapping. Cool Tesla wraps can allow significant customization and graphics. Tesla wrap customizes your vehicle without changing the vehicle’s appearance permanently.
Although DIY Tesla wrap kits are available and are less expensive than professional Tesla wraps, wrapping a Tesla requires expertise, patience, and a helping hand. If you lack all these, we suggest you leave the task to professionals.
Tesla Wrap
Like other vehicle wraps, Tesla wrap is a thin vinyl protection layer. Car owners apply vinyl wrap to their vehicles for three reasons:
- Change the vehicle’s color
- Promoting their business.
- They are protecting the vehicle’s paint.
Tesla wraps come in matte, gloss, metallic, and satin finishes. These vinyl films are easy to remove or replace. The Tesla wrap’s temporary nature makes it a popular choice for those who like following recent trends.
Installation process of Tesla Wrap
Tesla wrapping is a complex process that requires attention to detail, patience, and proper tools. Our Auto Boss specialists suggest installing only your Tesla wrap if you have experience. If you want to install the Tesla wrap yourself, here are the steps.
Material selection
Several Tesla wrap finishes are available. These Cool Tesla wrap colors or textures are matte, satin, chrome, gloss, or carbon fiber. If you want to wrap a Tesla Model 3 or Model Y, buy the wrap directly from Tesla service centers.
Pro Top: Apply a sample of Tesla wrap and check it with outdoor and indoor/ different lights to judge whether it suits your needs.
Vehicle Preparation
Cleaning your vehicle and removing the scratches from its surface is necessary to wrap your Tesla. Clean the Tesla surface thoroughly to remove grease, grime, or wax. If your car surface has deep scratches or chips, it would require paint correction. The level of correction needed depends on the vehicle’s condition. A list of the steps includes:
Cleaning and decontamination
Start washing and cleaning your vehicle using soapy water, isopropyl alcohol, and clay bars. Ensure that no contaminant is present on the vehicle surface.
Drying
Dry your Tesla with blowers or towels and leave it for at least 12 hours. Leaving your vehicle for this long ensures all the moisture is dried. Be careful in winter as the drying process in weather is slow.
Disassemble
Remove door handles, bumpers, and antennae to ensure the finest finishes of the wrap.
Remember! If your vehicle differs from the original equipment manufacturer, you may damage its paint during wrapping.
Indoor wrapping/ Controlled temperature
It is the top factor to consider. It would help if you had wide enough indoor space with a controlled environment. An outdoor space can negatively impact the process. When you apply a Tesla wrap outdoors, dirt or dust may get trapped under the film. The dirt can make vinyl wrapping difficult and cause peeling.
However, the best temperature to apply a Tesla wrap is sixty degrees Fahrenheit. Match the wrap’s temperature to ensure that it doesn’t get brittle.
Measure your vehicle and cut the vinyl film
Measure your Tesla. Leave an extra inch of wrapping film for the best finishing. You can trim the excess wrap after installation. However, if the wrap is short, it will be challenging to wrap your Tesla completely.
Remember! Proper measurement is necessary for the finest installation. Ensure that the wrap does not overlap or shorten.
Application
Once you cut the vinyl film to size properly, install it carefully on your vehicle’s surface. Use a squeegee and start setting it from the center. Move towards the edges. Before tucking the edges, ensure that the wrap doesn’t have air or bubbles and is adhered to the surface properly. You can use a hard board to settle the vinyl film properly.
Trimming
It’s time to trim after applying the wrap to your desired area. It would help to have a sharp knife, keen observation, and a steady hand to trim access vinyl film from panel edges. A sharp knife ensures fine cutting of the wrap, but careless cutting can make the vinyl wrap visible on the edges.
Related Article: How much is the cost of a Tesla wrap
Heat and seal
Heating the vinyl film helps confirm your Tesla contours. Heat can also help you tuck the vinyl wrap properly from the edges. Sealing the wrap edges prevents them from peeling or lifting over time.
Post wrap inspections
After applying the Tesla wrap:
- Inspect your vehicle again.
- Check for imperfections, uneven areas, and bubbles.
- Counter-check that the film is adhered to properly. You can remove imperfections from the wrap before it is cured completely.
Last inspections ensure proper and seamless finishes. Auto Boss tips for post-wrap inspection are:
- Walk slowly 360 degrees around the vehicle
- Check whether the vinyl is adequately adhered to without air bubbles or lifting.
- Look for creases, bubbles, or sharp edges
- Pay attention to door handles, cameras, mirrors, or under bumpers.
- Circle the areas needing addressing using a marker (dry erase).
Is Professional wrapping better than DIY wrapping?
Although you can apply a vehicle wrap yourself, it is time-consuming and challenging to wrap a Tesla. Tesla is a luxury vehicle with sharp edges that make it difficult to wrap. Wrapping a Tesla requires proper tools, attention to detail, and patience. Remember, bubbles or wrinkles appear if you don’t apply Tesla wrap properly. In rare cases, the vinyl film adheres appropriately with the car surface, leading to lifting from the edges or peeling off.
An average DIY installer needs more access to professional tools or wraps. Although professional installation is expensive, an experienced installer can save you many bucks. There are fewer chances of mistakes. Hence, the chances of getting bubbles or peeling off are reduced; Auto Boss experts are certified and trained enough to complete the process without any hindrance.
Conclusion
Although DIY Tesla wrapping is possible, you need special care, attention to detail, tools, and patience to install it. If you need more experience in wrapping, we suggest not trying it. If you apply vinyl wrap wrongly, the chance of peeling off increases. The residue can spoil your Tesla’s present paint when vinyl peels off.
Professionals like Auto Boss can access the professional tools, quality material, and expertise to wrap your vehicle. They have a controlled environment with neither high nor low temperature to ensure seamless processes and flawless finishes.
FAQs
How much does a Tesla wrap cost?
The Tesla wrap cost ranges between $1000 to $12000, depending on different factors like colors and finishes.
How much does a Tesla wrap last?
The average lifespan of a Tesla PPF wrap is five years or more, depending on maintenance and care.