Practical guidelines for vehicle wrapping

These guidelines outline the conditions and points of attention required to ensure your vehicle wrapping project is carried out correctly, efficiently, and with the best possible end result.

Proper preparation and delivery of the vehicle are essential to guarantee durable adhesion of the film and to avoid issues such as air bubbles or lifting edges. Below, you will find all important requirements.

Important: If the conditions below are not met, Zenith Graphics reserves the right to charge additional costs.

Vehicle delivery: clean and dry bodywork

The vehicle must be delivered properly cleaned, completely dry, and free from dirt, dust, and grease. Use a neutral car shampoo without wax, gloss enhancers, or protective coatings. These products create a layer that reduces the adhesion of the film.

Please ensure that no residual water remains in gaps, rubber seals, mirrors, or door handles. Water can cause the film to lift at the edges.

Additional charge for insufficient cleaning: vehicles that are not delivered clean will be cleaned by us at a rate of €65.00/hour. If this affects our planning, we reserve the right to refuse the vehicle.

Tip: Have the vehicle washed at least 24 hours before the appointment. The most basic (and cheapest) car wash option is sufficient.

Wrapping at our workshop or on-site

Temperature and evironmental conditions

For optimal adhesion, the wrapping must take place in a space that meets the following requirements:

  • Minimum temperature: 18°C
  • Draft-free environment
  • Dust-free environment
  • Normal humidity levels
  • Good lighting

The adhesive layer of the film continues curing for an additional 24 hours after installation. Therefore, the vehicle must remain indoors overnight after the wrapping is completed.

Wrapping at your location

If the work is carried out at your premises, you are responsible for providing a suitable indoor space that meets the above conditions.

At least two separate 16A electrical circuits must be available for our heat guns.

The vehicle must have been stored indoors for at least 24 hours beforehand to ensure the bodywork has reached the correct temperature.

Condition of the bodywork

The paintwork must be in good and stable condition. Rust, deep scratches, or peeling paint may negatively affect adhesion and may remain visible underneath the film.

Newly painted parts must be fully cured. The body shop must confirm that the paint is wrap-ready or accelerate the curing process (e.g. using infrared curing).

If the paint is still releasing gases, microbubbles or air pockets may form underneath the film. This is not caused by the film or installation process, but by insufficiently cured paint.

Finishing level

The following areas are not wrapped:

  • Narrow gaps between doors
  • Deep recesses (e.g. around lights or air vents)
  • Door handles (unless otherwise agreed)
  • Interior sides of body panels visible when opening doors or the trunk

These areas will retain the vehicle’s original colour.

Planning

If the vehicle is not available at the agreed time, a waiting fee of €65.00/hour may be charged.

Any travel costs incurred will also be charged.

If the number of vehicles is lower than previously agreed, Zenith Graphics reserves the right to revise the pricing.

Removal of parts

For full wraps, parts such as handles, mirrors, logos, and windshield wipers may be temporarily removed to ensure a clean installation. Zenith Graphics will carefully reinstall these parts afterward.

If a ladder is mounted at the rear of a van, it must be removed by the customer unless the customer agrees to a discreet seam in the wrap.

Removal of existing stickers

If the removal of existing stickers is included in the project, a fixed price per vehicle will be agreed upon.

In some cases, a preliminary test may be required to provide an accurate estimate.

If, during execution, the removal process takes longer than expected due to, for example, a non-representative test sample, pricing may be revised based on €65.00/hour.

Fuel or battery level

Vehicles must have sufficient fuel or battery capacity so that we can move them if necessary.

If not, this will be supplemented at the following rates:

  • Fixed fee: €15.00
  • Fuel: €2.50/litre
  • Electricity: €1.25/kWh

Proof/layout

Zenith Graphics provides a digital proof based on the briefing.

The customer may provide feedback, and a maximum of two revision rounds is included.

Additional modifications will be charged at €85.00/hour.

A clear and complete briefing at the start of the project is therefore strongly recommended.

Travel costs

Travel costs are charged at €1.25/km (round trip), calculated from Alfons Gossetlaan 30A, Groot-Bijgaarden.

If an additional installer is required and travels with us, €45.00/hour per person will be charged.

Removal of our wrapping

Stickers installed by Zenith Graphics on new vehicles can generally be removed afterward without damaging the vehicle’s bodywork.

Important note for vehicles that have been repainted: when removing stickers, paint may come off due to improperly executed repairs (insufficient drying times, sanding quality, primer issues, etc.).

Any damage to the vehicle’s paint caused by sticker removal can under no circumstances be held against Zenith Graphics.

When removing lettering or graphics, a colour contrast may appear between the part of the paint that was covered by the sticker for years and the part exposed to sunlight, rain, dirt, and washing.

As a result, the outline of the old sticker may still remain visible even after the film has been fully removed. Paint exposed to weather conditions naturally ages faster, while the paint underneath the sticker remains “younger” and glossier.

This creates a visible difference in gloss level.

In most cases, this can be resolved by polishing the body panel.

Final note

Thank you for taking these guidelines into account.

When these conditions are respected, we can complete your project efficiently and to the highest quality standards.

If you have any specific questions or would like to discuss certain matters, please do not hesitate to contact us.