What to choose for wrapping a car: vinyl or polyurethane film
Content
Today, there are two types of films on the car market: vinyl (polyvinyl chloride) and polyurethane. They are transparent and colored, and also differ in texture.
Car owners are often faced with a choice: what is better for a car - vinyl or polyurethane. Both materials protect the body from damage to the paintwork, but are fundamentally different from each other.
What does wrapping a car with a film give?
The protective film protects the body from mechanical damage while driving. The paintwork will not suffer from dirt, sand and small stones.
After removing the material, the automotive surface will remain in its original form. This is a great advantage for those who are planning to sell the car.
The film does not transmit ultraviolet rays, so the varnish will not fade under the sun. With the help of a sticker, you can improve the appearance of the car: make the body matt, chrome or change the color without painting.
Types of protective films
Today, there are two types of films on the car market: vinyl (polyvinyl chloride) and polyurethane. They are transparent and colored, and also differ in texture.
Polyvinyl chloride (vinyl)
This is a transparent plastic that protects the car from light damage, sand and gravel flying from under the wheels during fast driving. Initially, the material was used in the manufacture of banners for billboards. Its thickness is 100-150 microns.
Polyurethane
Polyurethane belongs to the group of polymers. This material is stronger and similar in consistency to liquid rubber. It is better than vinyl, stretches and shrinks during operation without loss of protective and aesthetic properties. Thickness - 200 microns.
Pasting with polyurethane film
Polyurethane was first used in American aviation. The material was used to cover the blades of helicopters flying over the desert. Such protection increased the wear resistance of the vehicle.
Polyurethane or vinyl film: which is better
Both types of film have their advantages and disadvantages, but they are fundamentally different from each other.
Pros and cons of auto vinyl
Consider the pros and cons of vinyl film for cars.
Advantages
The PVC coating protects the machine from damage caused by dirt and small stones.
Freshly applied material is almost invisible on the body. But if you look closely, you can see the roughness. Vinyl hides small surface defects and protects against the negative effects of ultraviolet radiation.
Disadvantages
The main disadvantage is a short service life. Manufacturers give a guarantee of up to 12 months. But after six months, the material turns yellow and becomes noticeable on the body. Its thickness is only enough for minimal protection of the paintwork.
The material suffers especially strongly in summer. Due to bright sunlight, the vinyl decal becomes stained. With prolonged heat, the coating softens, and in winter, due to low temperatures, it hardens, delaminates and falls off in pieces.
Car wrapping with vinyl film
Before the summer season, it is better to completely wrap the car. Otherwise, after removing the material, some areas of the paintwork will remain bright, while others will fade due to the sun.
Judging by the reviews, the vinyl film for the car does not tolerate strong impacts and can become cracked. It requires careful care and is damaged by high water pressure or intensive exposure to abrasive cleaners during washing.
Another disadvantage is the difficulty of dismantling. Manufacturers advise removing the film after a maximum of a year. Otherwise, the material will begin to break off and it will not work to remove it with one sheet. The adhesive base hardens and peels off along with the paintwork.
Advantages and disadvantages of polyurethane anti-gravel film
There are many positive reviews about polyurethane on auto forums.
pros
Today it is the most reliable coating that protects the body from sand, gravel, adverse weather conditions. The material is hard to tear, and it is not damaged even during an accident.
The anti-gravel polyurethane coating is imperceptible on the car, recovers from extreme heat and does not deform in the cold.
The polyurethane material has a protective layer that resembles a thick gel. It self-levels, so the film-coated body is not prone to scratches.
Anti-gravel polyurethane film Suntek PPF
Polyurethane lasts longer than vinyl and retains its appearance with frequent polishing. The film after dismantling does not leave glue on the surface of the body. If you apply the material to the car immediately after purchase, then when removed it will be as good as new.
Cons
The disadvantage of the material is the lack of protection against ultraviolet rays. But reviews of polyurethane on cars claim that this property can be attributed to pluses. With partial pasting, the color of the body will not change after removing the film.
Similar Features
Both materials are similar only in one. They are applied to the surface of the car to protect it and transform the appearance.
Vinyl and polyurethane: differences
The main difference is in the service life. Polyurethane protects the car for at least 5 years and is not affected by the negative effects of temperature. On the forums, drivers leave negative reviews about vinyl wrap for cars. It retains its properties for a maximum of 1,5 years, subject to careful operation. Sometimes the material becomes unusable after 3 summer months, if there was a strong heat.
Vinyl film for cars in rolls
Vinyl quickly hardens and changes shape. It can be torn by hand. Such a film cracks in the cold, does not tolerate heat and sudden changes in temperature.
Polyurethane is strong, ductile and resilient. It is not affected by adverse weather conditions. But, unlike vinyl, it does not protect the body from color fading.
Polyurethane is produced by well-known factories using special technology. Polyvinyl chloride is supplied even by underground Chinese firms.
About prices
The cost of coverage depends on the size and brand of the car, the manufacturer of the film and the amount of work. The price is affected by the city, the qualification of the master and the type of material: colored, glossy, matte, mother-of-pearl, chrome, carbon. You will have to pay extra for the removal of the old film material.
In a car dealership, the average cost of covering an entire small-class car with budgetary polyurethane is 50 thousand rubles, and for a large jeep - up to 70 thousand rubles. Film sticker on headlights costs from 2,5 thousand rubles. The standard version (hood and front bumper as a whole, part of the roof, headlights and fenders, windshield pillars) will cost about 19,5 thousand rubles. If you use premium material, the price will increase by 20-50%.
Anti-gravel film for premium cars
Vinyl is cheaper. Most often, car dealerships offer a comprehensive pasting of the car. The price is from 35 thousand rubles.
Car owners often write reviews about vinyl on cars and say that they inexpensively applied cover from underground craftsmen for 5-10 thousand rubles. But there is no guarantee of quality and durability of the coating.
So which film to choose for the car
The choice of vinyl or polyurethane film on a car depends on the operating conditions. If the driver drives carefully and only around the city, the first option will do.
In regions with adverse weather conditions and frequent off-road driving, it is better to wrap the car with a denser material. Polyurethane is also recommended for those who plan to sell a car in the future.
