How long does vehicle lettering last?
Vehicle lettering cut from cast vinyl (ORACAL® 751C) lasts up to 8 years outdoors — lightfast, weatherproof and car-wash resistant. Printed vinyl (ORAJET®) lasts several years with a protective laminate; less without it, at edges and on strongly curved surfaces.
What decides the lifetime
- The film: cast vinyl (751C, 60 µm) stays dimensionally stable and does not shrink — that is where the 8 years come from. Calendered films are cheaper and meant for short runs.
- Cut or printed: cut lettering is coloured all the way through, so it cannot fade the way a print does. A print needs a laminate (ORAGUARD®) that keeps off sun, rain and cleaning.
- The surface: smooth paint, glass and painted metal are ideal. Plastic bumpers, rivets and deep recesses stress the film more.
- The application: degreased, at room temperature, with time to bond — the first days without a car wash.
What shortens it
Pressure washers aimed at film edges, aggressive rim and insect cleaners, daily brush car washes and constant full sun on horizontal surfaces (bonnet, roof) age any film faster. Vertical surfaces — doors, sides, rear — last longest.
The manufacturer's rating is for the film itself; how long a design looks good also depends on colour (dark tones heat up more), location and care.
When it should not last that long
For a promotion, a season or a leased vehicle there is removable printed vinyl (ORAJET® 3162G): it holds firmly and peels off cleanly later. For anything meant to stay, permanent film.
Products in this guide
Questions
Can I remove the film myself after years?
Yes — with heat (a hair dryer) cast vinyl peels off; a film remover dissolves old adhesive. After many years in the sun the paint under the film is often fresher than beside it — that is the shadow edge, not damage.
Does film hold on every paint?
On factory paint and glass, yes. Freshly repainted surfaces need time to outgas, and matt paints are a special case — please say so beforehand.
Cut or printed — which is better for a company vehicle?
Logo and contact details in one to three colours: cut vinyl, it lasts longest and looks precise. Photos, gradients, many colours: printed vinyl with a laminate.
Can a lettered vehicle go through the car wash?
Yes, once the film has had its first days to set. Cut cast film withstands car washes; brush systems and high pressure aimed at film edges age any film faster — keep some distance and avoid the edges.
Does the vehicle have to come to the studio for fitting?
Fitting needs clean, degreased paint and room temperature — the Berlin studio fits the lettering; on flat surfaces and in dry weather it can also be fitted on site.
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