Updated By TeckWrap Craft On June 22, 2024
What Kind Of Vinyl To Use For Car Decals
Are you planning on creating car decals? The best vinyl to use for car decals is permanent adhesive vinyl. You don’t want to use removable craft vinyl as it may not last for a long time. You need a durable permanent outdoor vinyl for car decals as it needs to withstand extreme weather conditions.
A car decal should withstand persistent rain, the heat of the sun, heat in the garage, car wash, frost, and snow. Read further to learn what kind of vinyl to use for car decals, tips when applying it, and design ideas you can try for your car decal.
Types Of Vinyl
There are two types of craft vinyl — adhesive and heat transfer vinyl. Heat transfer vinyl (HTV) is printed on garments and fabrics using a heat press machine. HTV is never used on car decals. Meanwhile, adhesive vinyl is used to personalize crafts. Adhesive vinyl is classified into two types — temporary and permanent. Permanent adhesive vinyl is recommended for use in car decals.
Removable vs Permanent Vinyl
This is an important part to remember when choosing the adhesive vinyl to use for a car decal. Always check the vinyl’s product description if it’s removable or permanent. You can check also check if it’s for indoor or outdoor use. Here are the differences between removable and permanent vinyl.
| Removable Vinyl | Permanent Vinyl |
|---|---|
| For indoor use | For outdoor use |
| Cannot withstand extreme weather | Can withstand extreme weather |
| Water-resistant | Water-resistant |
| May last for 1-3 years when used indoors | Lasts for three years or more when used indoors or outdoors |
| May last for a couple of months when used outdoors | Will chip the wall or car paint when removed |
| Will not chip wall or car paint when removed | Recommended for car decals |
| Recommended for wall decals |
What Is The Difference Between Permanent Vinyl And Removable Vin
Remember that permanent adhesive vinyl is recommended in making vinyl car decals. However, there’s a downside to it especially when placed on the car’s body, or directly on the paint. It is permanent and may damage the car’s paint when removed.
So when you stick a vinyl car decal using a permanent vinyl, remember that it’s going to be there for a long time. On the contrary, you can’t use removable adhesive vinyl as a car decal won’t last long for a long time outdoors.
Picking The Right Spot For A Car Decal
Whether you plan to make car decals for personal or business purposes, you should know how to pick the right spot on where to place the decal. This is to make sure the decal placement doesn’t look awkward, plus it has the right placement for your intended purpose. Here’s what you should know:
Photo on Pixnio
Driver's Side
For vinyl decals like disability signs or car passes the driver’s side windshield is recommended spot. Make sure to place it on the upper or lower corner side so it won’t disturb the driver’s sight.
Tailgate
For the company or business vehicles, the tailgate is another great spot you can place car stickers like the company logo, or labels like “Do not delay, perishable goods”. You can also place the company name and contact number as a part of advertising the business.
OSHA Signs
For vinyl car decals for OSHA (Occupational Health and Safety Act) purposes, make sure to meet the requirements of the placement of these decals. Make sure to check in with the OHSA requirements.
It’s a different story for polyester shirts. Another piece of advice when choosing the right heat transfer vinyl is to avoid those ‘too good to be true prices’. Not all, but chances are, cheap HTV wouldn’t last long on polyester. You should look for HTV that lasts long, and usually, those are the expensive heat transfer vinyl.
Car Windows Installation
For decorative vinyl for car decals, the car window is a recommended spot. Whether be it the driver’s side, windshield, or the window visor for utility vehicles that’s a great spot. Just make sure it’s not too big which may disturb the driver’s view.
Will Permanent Vinyl Damage My Car’s Paint?
Yes, permanent vinyl may damage a car’s paint. That’s why when you decide to place a permanent vinyl on your car, make sure you want it there for a long time. This is permanent, not something you just want to remove on a whim.
Permanent vinyl placed on the car’s paint doesn’t mean it can’t be removed. It just means it has a stronger adhesive and won’t come off the surface by itself. It takes proper technique to remove permanent vinyl on cars, with the risk of damaging the car paint when not done properly.
However, permanent vinyl placed on the car’s window is much safer and would do less damage. Because when you come to think of it, the window tint is installed inside, not outside. However, if you plan to place a vinyl decal on your car temporarily you may do so with removable vinyl, just don’t expect it sticks for a long time.
Choices For Best Vinyl For Decals
Now that you’re aware that permanent vinyl is the best vinyl used for car decals and where to put it, it’s time to learn what are the best vinyl designs that will look great on your car. Make sure to invest in high-quality vinyl from TeckWrap Craft.
Permanent adhesive vinyl from TeckWrap Craft can withstand harsh weather conditions. Your car will be exposed to rain, extreme heat, or so (depending on where you live). You’ll need vinyl that won’t fade and has a strong adhesive, and TeckWrap Craft is an excellent product.
1. Glow In The Dark Vinyl
If you want your car stickers to stand out at night, you can use Glow In The Dark Adhesive Vinyl from TeckWrap Craft. The vinyl car decal will glow for up to 1 hour in the dark. It is easy to apply, and the catch? It leaves no adhesive residue behind especially when removed properly.
Teckrap Craft has 7 luminous colors available on the glow-in-the-dark vinyl collection. Aside from car decals, you can use this vinyl on book covers, laptop skin, mugs, and many more. This type of vinyl needs light exposure during the day so it will glow in the dark at night.
2. White Vinyl (Most Popular)
If you want to keep it simple, and want one color, you can use the variety of choices from the TeckWrapCraft 001M Series Adhesive Vinyl selection. As seen in the photo above, a simple white vinyl was used on the text graphics.
Simplicity, most of the time looks great when it comes to adhesive vinyl crafts. You can either use glossy or matte vinyl. However, matte vinyl looks more professional and classy on a car window.
3. Reflective Vinyl
Do you want your own vinyl decals to reflect back when exposed to direct light? Then you should consider Reflective Adhesive Vinyl. TeckWrap Craft’s reflective vinyl is produced from high-quality materials and illuminates brightly making it perfect for car decals.
This type of vinyl is a perfect idea for company cars, trucks, or utility vehicles that mostly drive at night. Not only is it a great vinyl but it is a plus on the vehicle’s safety features as well. Reflective vinyl can also be placed on bikes.
4. Holographic Vinyl Material
Holographic Glossy Rainbow Adhesive Vinyl will also make a great car decal. Holographic vinyl is gleaming and glossy, this will turn heads in broad daylight. It looks like a rainbow from afar and is an exceptional decorative touch.
Aside from being a car decal, holographic rainbow vinyl also looks great on wine glasses, home decors, wall decals, window graphics, and many more. This is an excellent choice of vinyl for mermaid or unicorn designs.
5. Mirror Chrome Adhesive Vinyl
Do you want a simple yet eye-catching car decal? You can use the Mirror Chrome Adhesive Vinyl of TeckWrap Craft. This mirror chrome vinyl is made of high-quality flexible PVC material. Since it has a soft build, it can conform to all shapes, angles, and contours of the car.