Faqs
Hawkeye Brothers Sign Graphics answer the most commonly asked questions.

  • How does a wrap compare to paint?

    Wrap film is not permanent, making it fast and easy to change your mind on your color. In many cases, film can be less expensive option.

  • How long does it take to wrap a vehicle?

    Simple designs take just a few hours, while on a full wrap on a large, complex vehicle may take two or more days. A full color change wrap on most vehicles will be minimum three day up to a week for completion.

  • Can wraps be installed overpaint scratches, dents, or rust?

    Wrap film is very thin and flexible to allow it to conform beautifully to the contours or your vehicle, but that means it also conforms to any imperfection such as scratch or dent, and that will show through. Rust is another matter. Wrap film will stick to the solid surface and finish of an undamaged vehicle, fi there is rust present, the film will stick to the rust instead. This will cause the film to fall off when and where the rust does. Before Spending the time and money to wrap a damaged or rusted vehicle, we recommend having it professionally repaired with filler and finish with an epoxy primer/sealer, OEM vehicle paint and/or clear coat.

    The finish on the repairs must be allowed cure for the period specified by the manufacturer before applying film.

  • Does the wrap film stick to body filler?

    No, the film will not adhere to auto body repair filler. An epoxy primer/sealer, OEM vehicle paint and/or clearcoat must be applied over the auto repair filler and the finish must be allowed to cure for the period specified by the manufacturer before applying film.

  • How much does a wrap cost?

    Cost is determined by several factors: how much of the vehicle is wrapped, the film you select, the complexity of the processing, cutting. and installation. Costs range from a few hundred dollars for stripes to a few thousand for a complete full wrap.

  • Can I buy just the film and wrap the vehicle myself?

    We can sell the film to you.

    While it may look easy, most vehicles wrappers spend several days in professional training and many hours perfecting their techniques. So, we recommend trusting your vehicle wrap installs to us.

  • Does wrap film protect the vehicle's paint from damage?

    Wrap film will protect the paint underneath it from sun damage and mild abrasions. It is NOT designed as a paint protection film, but the wrap does provide some protection between light abuse and the car finish.

  • Will my vehicle retain its value if I wrap it?

    There is no reason to expect a wrap to negatively affect the value of your vehicle. If you are selling it with a wrap on it, it may add appeal to some potential buyers. But if a buyer does not like it, it’s easily removed.

  • Will the environment damage the wrap?

    Wrap films (just like paint) are degraded by prolonged exposer to sun and atmospheric pollutants, particularly on horizontal surfaces such as the hood, trunk lid, and roof. Whenever possible, store the vehicle in a garage or at least in a shaded area during the day. At night, protect the wrap film from dew or rain, which may contain acidic pollutants (a common problem in many large metropolitan areas. When a garage is not available, consider using a cloth car cover at night. If your wrap film starts to discolor or turn brown (which is caused by acidic pollution), immediately have a professional remove the wrap film from the vehicle to avoid staining the underlying paint.

  • How do I take care of a wrap?

    Keeping your wrap clean will help preserve its appearance. You can take vehicle through a brushless car wash, and with certain guidelines, you can power wash the wrapped vehicle. For more car care tips, please see our Guide Sheet.

  • Cana damaged wrap be repaired?

    We do not recommend replacing just one-part of a wrap as you may not be satisfied with the visual differences that may be apparent, including, color shifts due to using film from a different lot or printing done later, and the slight fading or change in gloss that may have occurred on the installed film.

  • Will my vehicle insurance cover damage to the wrap?

    Insurance policies vary greatly. Be sure to check with your provider for details.

  • Can I remove the wrap myself?

    You can, although we recommend having a professional vehicle wrapper do the removal for best results. Most films are designed to be removable for up to 3 years after installation. Heat and/or chemicals may be required. Some adhesive residues may be left on the vehicle, which can be cleaned off with a product such as 3M Citrus Base Cleaner.

  • What if the wrap remains on for longer than 3 years?

    Exposer to sun, heat and other environmental factors will eventually cause the film’s adhesive to degrade. As that happens, removal becomes more difficult and time consuming.

  • Will removing the wrap damage the paint?

    When used, applied, maintained, and removed according to our instructions, all our supplied wrap films should not damage an OEM (factory direct paint) paint finish upon removal.

Disclaimer: This information contained and techniques described herein are believed to be reliable. Hawkeye Brothers makes no warranties, express or implied, including Can I remove the wrap myself?