When to wrap your car in Windsor.

Wraps are installed indoors, so the season does not stop us. But Windsor's winters and the spring rush do affect when it makes sense to book, and how you treat the car for the first couple of weeks. Here is what to think about.

Can you wrap a car in winter?

Yes. Vinyl has to be installed in a warm, clean space, and the car needs to be at room temperature before the film goes on, so we bring it inside and let it warm up first. What changes in winter is the aftercare: the adhesive takes longer to reach full strength in the cold, so the car should stay out of the car wash and away from salt spray as much as possible for the first couple of weeks.

The case for wrapping in the off-season

• Shorter waits. Late fall and winter are quieter, so it is easier to get the dates you want.
• The car comes out of storage in spring already done, instead of waiting in line when the weather turns.
• The film protects the paint from salt and road grit through the rest of the winter.
• Cars that live in a garage over winter give the adhesive an easy start.

The spring rush

As soon as the weather warms up, every car that spent the winter under a cover wants a new look before the first car meet. That is when bookings fill up. If you want the car ready for the season, book ahead in late winter, or bring it in before it goes into storage.

Summer

Summer is a fine time to wrap, and the film settles quickly in the warmth. Just keep a freshly wrapped car out of direct afternoon sun for the first few days if you can, and give it the usual time before the first wash.