Van wrap by Iconography. This Mercedes Benz 170″ Sprinter is one of the parts and service vehicles at a BMW dealership located in Concord, CA, and is a perfect example of extending your brand onto your fleet – particularly when your fleet vehicles happen to be from the competition!
It has never been easier to create a lasting impression on the thousands of people and potential customers that your fleet of vehicles comes in contact with on a daily basis. In fact, did you know that Outdoor Advertising Magazine said that outdoor mobile media billboards have a 97% recall rate, and 96% of survey respondents thought mobile advertising is more effective than traditional outdoor advertising.
These Sprinter vans and other fleet vehicles for BMW of Concord were fully wrapped, turning these originally white vehicles into a sleek, black fleet. The vehicle wraps are made by first creating a design on special computer programs, and then fitting those designs into vehicle wrap templates for printing. The vehicle wrap material prints on one of our large format Roland printers, which uses adhesive-backed vinyl that comes in rolls that are 60″ wide and hundreds of feet long. The vehicle wrap design is segmented into panels for printing. Once printed, these panels are laminated with a UV laminate to protect against fading in the sun. After laminating, the panels are trimmed to prepare them for installation.
Special Considerations For Sprinter Van Wraps
Wrapping a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van involves specific considerations due to its large, complex surface area, unique body lines, and frequent use as a commercial or camper vehicle. Key considerations include careful surface preparation to remove wax, addressing deep body channels, managing high-roof heights, and using high-quality materials to withstand environmental exposure.
Here are the specific considerations for wrapping Sprinter vans:
1. Preparation and Surface Care
- Deep Cleaning: Sprinter vans require thorough cleaning to remove dirt, grease, and wax, particularly in the deep channels and corrugation.
- Remove Accessories: For a seamless finish, remove items like side mirrors, door handles, light fixtures, and roof racks.
- Address Imperfections: Dents, scratches, or rust must be repaired before application, as they can cause the vinyl to lift or look unprofessional.
- Curing Time: If the van has been painted, wait at least 30 days for the paint to fully cure to avoid damage during wrap removal.
2. Design and Layout
- Utilize Body Lines: Sprinter vans have distinct body lines. Design the wrap to work with these contours, not against them, to ensure a professional look.
- Large Canvas Management: Use the expansive side panels for branding, but keep designs simple and high-contrast, as people only have a few seconds to read them.
- Avoid Key Areas: Do not cover essential components like charging ports, sensors, or safety labels, especially on electric models.
3. Installation Challenges
- Deep Recesses: Sprinter vans often have deep, narrow recesses. Installers must use specialized techniques, such as proper post-heating and cutting, to prevent the vinyl from lifting in these areas.
- High-Roof Handling: The height of the van makes installation more complex, often requiring specialized lifts or ladders to ensure the roof and top sides are properly covered.
4. Material and Environmental Considerations
- Use High-Quality Materials: Use premium vinyl (e.g., 3M or Avery Dennison) that can handle complex curves and offer long-term durability.
- Temperature Control: Installation should occur in a temperature-controlled environment (typically 20–25°C) to ensure proper adhesion.
- Post-Heating: After application, the vinyl must be post-heated, particularly in deep channels, to prevent it from reverting to its original shape and lifting.
- Material Quantity: Large vans can require 90 to 125 feet of vinyl for a full wrap.
5. Post-Wrap Care
- Hand Wash Only: Avoid automatic car washes with stiff brushes, which can damage the wrap or lift edges. Hand wash with mild, pH-neutral soap.
- Pressure Washing Limits: If using a pressure washer, keep the pressure below 200 psi and maintain a distance of at least one foot from the vinyl.
- Check for Damage: Regularly inspect for lifted edges, especially near seams and in recessed areas, to prevent further damage.
- For leased Sprinter vans, it is crucial to ensure the wrap is removable and does not damage the original paint, as you will likely need to remove it before returning the vehicle.
Installation of full car wraps, particularly on Sprinter vans, requires a great deal of skill, experience and special tools to get the job done right. Interested in dressing up your fleet with some custom car wraps? Give the experts at Iconography a call today at 562-424-4353.
