Get Chrome Vinyl Wrap in Chicago: Top Quality, Super-Shiny Films!

What is a chrome vinyl wrap?

Like other types of vehicle wraps, chrome film is a thick, durable vinyl film that is stretched over the bodywork to give it a mirror-like finish. Chrome vinyl wrap is best installed by professionals as it’s particularly delicate and vulnerable to cracking, or tearing, when not installed correctly.

7 benefits of chrome vinyl films

1. Creates a mirror-like finish
2. Gives a luxurious appearance
3. Quick to install
4. Protects your paintwork
5. Draws attention
6. Highly durable
7. Easy to maintain

What are the best brands of chrome vinyl wraps?

Tinting Chicago installs two chrome vinyl wrap brands, 3M ™ and Avery Dennison™. Both are durable, high-quality vinyl wrap options. Let our expert installers advise you on the best brand of wrap for your vehicle.

How we do it at Tinting Chicago: 11 steps to install chrome vinyl wraps

1. Washing the vehicle thoroughly to ensure a clean surface
2. Wiping the bodywork using an alcohol cleaning spray and a microfiber cloth
3. Applying tack reducer using a clean microfiber cloth to all extra time for handling and repositioning
4. Cutting the chrome vinyl so that it is 4 to 6 inches bigger than the panel you are covering
5. Removing the protective film on the front of the wrap being careful not to leave fingerprints
6. Slowly and gently peeling off the backing paper
7. Heating the chrome evenly with a heat gun until it softens
8. Squeegeeing the air out using some form of lubrication
9. Trimming any excess vinyl leaving 3mm of edging
10. Rolling excess film around the edges
11. Making sure the chrome wrap is absolutely perfectly installed!

Cost of installing chrome vinyl wraps

Expect to pay $6,000 upwards to fully chrome wrap an average-sized sedan vehicle. Chrome wrap is one of the most expensive vinyl materials on the market, as well as one of the most labor-intensive wraps to install. The high cost of chrome vinyl wrap results in many customers just accent-wrapping a few parts of the car, such as grilles, bumpers, radiators, hoods, roofs, and trunks.

Mistakes professionals avoid when installing chrome wrap

Even for professionals, chrome films are challenging to install because they’re delicate and damage easily. In order to achieve a perfect glass-like, metallic finish, great care must be taken not to scratch or overly stretch the chrome. Professionals follow these steps to ensure the perfect chrome vinyl finish:

• Peeling away the protective layer covering the vinyl before installing 
• Handling the film as little as possible to avoid fingerprint marks
• Never creasing the film as it causes permanent marks
• Adding lubrication before squeegeeing to avoid scratches
• Not heating the film to more than 80 degrees Fahrenheit during installation

5 reasons to remove your chrome vinyl wrap

1. If it starts to peel
2. If it is damaged or faded
3. You want to replace it with a new look wrap
4. Company branding or messaging needs updating
5. To sell your vehicle

Professional tools for chrome wrap film removal

• A plastic scraper that won’t damage the paintwork
• Heat gun
• Adhesive remover
• Spray bottle
• Cleaning cloth

Should you remove a chrome vinyl wrap yourself?

High-quality chrome vinyl wraps, produced by brands such as 3M™ and Avery Dennison™ are designed to be easily removed from vehicles, with the application heat. It is still however a labor-intensive process that requires a fair amount of time and patience. Low-quality chrome vinyl wraps can chip off in small flakes making the process even harder. Therefore, we highly recommend to trusting this work to professionals.