Cars, vans, trucks & fleets installed at our Beltsville, MD shop
Vehicle Wrap Installation Done Right
Vehicle wrap installation is the process of cleaning a vehicle, applying printed or color-change vinyl panel by panel, heating it so it conforms to every curve, and trimming each edge by hand. RoadRunner Wraps’ certified installers do this at our shop in Beltsville, Maryland, for businesses and drivers across Maryland, Washington, DC and Northern Virginia. A typical installation takes about 8 hours.
A great design only looks great if it’s installed well. Bubbles, wrinkles, crooked logos and lifting edges come from rushed prep and installation, not from the print. That’s why we handle design, printing and installation in-house, so one team is responsible for the finished vehicle.
Prefer to talk it through? Call 301-937-3777.
Why Installation Matters as Much as the Print
Two wraps printed on the same vinyl can look and last very differently depending on who installs them. Good installation means:
- No bubbles or wrinkles. Careful squeegee work and proper prep keep the film flat and smooth.
- Edges that stay down. Clean surfaces, heat in the right places and tidy trimming help prevent lifting and peeling.
- Graphics that line up. Logos, phone numbers and text stay straight across doors, seams and handles, just like the proof you approved.
- Easier removal later. A properly installed wrap from quality vinyl comes off more cleanly when it’s time for a change.
Wraps We’ve Installed
These are real vehicles from our shop. See hundreds more in our wrap gallery.
Contact Info
Address:
RoadRunner Wraps
11215 Old Baltimore Pike
Beltsville, MD 20705
Phone:
301-937-3777
Email:
info@rwraps.com
Contact Us
What Happens During a Wrap Installation
Here’s what our installers do once your printed wrap is ready and your vehicle is in the shop:
- Inspect the vehicle. We walk around the vehicle and note any chips, scratches, rust or peeling clear coat. Vinyl can’t fix damaged paint, and we’ll tell you up front if something could affect the wrap.
- Clean and prep. We clean the surfaces to remove dirt, wax and grease, paying extra attention to seams, edges and door jambs where vinyl needs to grip.
- Prepare the details. Where it makes sense, we work around or temporarily remove parts like handles, emblems and lights so the vinyl can wrap cleanly behind them.
- Apply the vinyl. Each printed panel is lined up to the proof you approved and applied with squeegees, working out air as we go.
- Heat and conform. We use heat to stretch the vinyl into curves and recesses, then post-heat those areas to help the film hold its shape.
- Trim and inspect. Edges are trimmed by hand, and we check the whole vehicle before handing it back to you.
How Much Does Vehicle Wrap Installation Cost?
Our wrap prices include design, printing and installation. Partial wraps start around $500, full car wraps typically run $1,500 to $3,100, full van and SUV wraps run $1,800 to $3,500, and color change wraps start around $3,500. Box trucks, trailers and larger vehicles are quoted by size. Fleet discounts are available.
| Option | What it covers | Typical price |
|---|---|---|
| Partial wrap | Printed graphics on selected areas, using your paint color as the background | From about $500 |
| Full car wrap | Printed graphics covering the whole car | $1,500 to $2,700 (small cars); $2,200 to $3,100 (standard cars) |
| Full van or SUV wrap | Printed graphics covering the whole van or SUV | $1,800 to $3,500 |
| Color change wrap | A new solid or specialty color in place of paint | From about $3,500 |
| Trucks, trailers & fleets | Box trucks, trailers, buses and multi-vehicle fleets | Quoted by size; fleet discounts available |
For an exact number, request a free quote with your vehicle’s make, model and a few photos, or see our vehicle wrap pricing page.
How to Get Your Vehicle Ready
A little prep on your end helps installation day go smoothly:
- Tell us about the paint. Mention any dents, rust, repainted panels or peeling clear coat when you request a quote.
- Mention old graphics. If the vehicle has existing decals or an old wrap, tell us so we can plan removal.
- Empty the outside. Take off bike racks, magnetic signs and other removable accessories.
- Plan for the day. A typical installation takes about 8 hours, so plan to leave the vehicle with us. Larger vehicles and fleets are scheduled with you.
Wrap vs. Paint
- It’s removable. Change your look or branding later, or take the wrap off before you sell or return a leased vehicle.
- It protects the paint underneath from sun and light scratches while it’s on.
- It’s faster. Most installations are done in about a day.
- It can do things paint can’t. Full-color photos, logos and lettering are printed right into the vinyl.
- It won’t fix bad paint. Vinyl follows the surface underneath, so dents and peeling clear coat will still show.
Our Process From Quote to Install
1
Free Quote
Call 301-937-3777 or use our form. Tell us about your vehicles and send a few photos.
2
Design & Proof
Our designers build the wrap around your logo and colors, or you can bring your own files. You approve a rendering before anything is printed.
3
We print on brand-name vehicle vinyl from manufacturers like 3M and Avery, made to handle sun, rain and road salt.
4
Install
Our certified installers apply your wrap at our Beltsville shop. A typical installation takes about 8 hours.
Caring for Your New Wrap
A professionally installed wrap made with quality vinyl typically lasts several years. To get the most out of it:
- Ask us how soon you can wash it after installation.
- Hand wash regularly and rinse off road salt promptly in winter.
- Keep pressure washers away from the edges.
- Call us early if an edge starts to lift.
More on this: how long vehicle wraps last.
When It’s Time for a Change
Rebranding, selling the vehicle or returning a lease? We also handle wrap removal, and we can swap out a single panel, like a new phone number, without a full rewrap.
Wrapping more than one vehicle? See our fleet vehicle wraps and wrap design services.
Wrap Installation in Maryland, DC and Virginia
Our shop is at 11215 Old Baltimore Pike in Beltsville, MD, between Washington, DC and Baltimore. Customers bring vehicles to us from across the region, including Baltimore, Washington, DC, Bethesda, Rockville, Frederick and Northern Virginia. See all of our service locations.
Wrap Installation FAQs
How long does a vehicle wrap installation take?
A typical installation takes about 8 hours. Design, approval and printing happen before that, and we’ll give you a timeline with your quote.
How much does it cost to have a vehicle wrapped?
Our prices include design, printing and installation. Partial wraps start around $500, full car wraps typically run $1,500 to $3,100, full van and SUV wraps run $1,800 to $3,500, and color change wraps start around $3,500. Box trucks, trailers and fleets are quoted by size.
Can you wrap a vehicle with damaged paint?
It depends on the damage. Vinyl follows the surface underneath, so dents, rust and peeling clear coat will still show and can affect how well the wrap sticks. We’ll inspect the vehicle and tell you up front if anything needs attention first.
Will removing the wrap damage my paint?
A quality wrap removed professionally typically comes off without harming factory paint in good condition. Paint that was already damaged or repainted is at higher risk. Leave removal to a professional rather than peeling it yourself.
Do I need to wash my vehicle before installation?
You don’t have to. Cleaning and prep are part of our installation. Just remove any removable accessories, like bike racks or magnetic signs, and tell us about any paint problems or old graphics.
How long does a vehicle wrap last?
A professionally installed wrap made with quality vinyl typically lasts several years. Regular hand washing and rinsing off road salt help it last longer.
Get a Free Wrap Installation Quote
RoadRunner Wraps handles design, printing and installation in-house, with award-winning designers and certified installers. Tell us about your vehicle and we’ll show you what it could look like.
Or call 301-937-3777.
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