Are you interested in decorating your car to change your car's outlook to either show off your artistic and stylish side, extend your personality or get a few more looks? The standard method used for car decorations is using the best vinyl for car decals. Car decals transform the car's look and give it a sleek and rugged appearance depending on your design choice.
Getting a professional decal job done on your car can cost you a lot, but it should interest you that you can do it on your own in the comfort of your home. You should purchase a few supplies which are easy to find in stores, and you are good to go.
This article will help you know the best vinyl for car decals in the market with their pros and cons and a detailed buying guide to understand the essential features of vinyl decals and why they are crucial.
Rank | Product Image | Brand Name | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
1 |
| ||
2 |
| ||
3 |
| ||
4 |
| ||
5 |
|
1. Oracal 651 Car Decal Vinyl
- Choose from 5, 10, 25, or 50' rolls
- The vinyl comes on a 2.5" diameter core, making for easy storage...
- Compatible with all craft cutters including, but not limited to:...
- Perfect for use on home décor, tumblers, stencils, scrapbooking,...
Oracal 651 is one of the best vinyl for car decals because it has a strong adhesive with a silicone coated surface that can withstand harsh weather conditions like snow, rain, or hot sun. It is a heat-sealed roll that comes in a 2.5-inch diameter core, and you can pick your preferred roll, which ranges from 5 inches to 50-inch rolls. Oracal 651 vinyl roll is the best vinyl for a beginner because it is straightforward to use and easy to peel off.
Oracal 651 Cricut vinyl is the most affordable vinyl you can apply to your car, which can last up to 6 years. It is perfect for people who occasionally need to repair their cars, update the decal, or sell the car because it is short-term. Besides, when Oracal 651 vinyl is used on car windows, it is easy to remove compared to others in this list. Oracal 651 vinyl is ideal for people looking for the most affordable and usable vinyl for car decals. Also, it can work perfectly for car window decals, cups, home decor, and mugs because of this premium vinyl's versatility.
Pros:
Cons:
2. Oracal 751 Car Decal Vinyl
- Genuine Oracle 751 high gloss vinyl!
- Solvent-based permanent adhesive easily adheres to any smooth,...
- Designed to last up to 8 years on indoor or outdoor applications!
- 2 mils thick vinyl is flexible and features a high level of...
- Works with Silhouette, Cameo, Circuit, and other vinyl cutters...
Oracal 751 vinyl for car decals comes at a premium price, but it is better at withstanding harsh weather elements than the Oracal 651. It is a glossy and adhesive outdoor vinyl for your car with a cast and is best for extreme conditions or curved surfaces. Being a cast vinyl, it's more durable and thinner by 25% that is made using high-quality plastics, making car decals colors last longer.
Oracle 751 permanent vinyl can be used for complex surfaces such as rough areas with bumps and screws and curves, vehicle wraps, any craft exposed to high temperatures, cups, and dishes that a dishwasher will wash, etc.
Pros:
Cons:
3. Oracal 951 Car Decal Vinyl
- Genuine Oracal 951 high gloss cast vinyl! This premium vinyl is...
- Solvent-based permanent adhesive easily sticks to any smooth,...
- Designed to last up to 10 years on indoor or outdoor...
- Cast film is more durable and any other grade of Oracal vinyl.
- Works with Silhouette, Cameo, Cricut, and other vinyl cutters and...
Oracal 951 car decal is a long-lasting vinyl for car decals that can last up to 10 years and can be used in outdoor and indoor applications. Oracal 951 is a permanent vinyl that is hard to come by, and it is quite expensive. To many people, it may not be the best vinyl to use for car decals because of how long-lasting it is, and people often get bored after a few years. However, with this type of vinyl decals, you are guaranteed durability, and you will only remove it because you are interested in changing up your style.
Oracal 951 is the best vinyl in the market if you are looking for metallic finish colors. Being a premium cast vinyl, the car decal can be used anywhere, and it is also waterproof. This vinyl can be used for decor, to make exterior and interior signs, for car decals, stencils, and dishes. However, having a hard adhesive may cause damage when removing the car stickers from the car.
Pros:
Cons:
4. Cricut Permanent Premium Vinyl
- EVERLASTING DIY PROJECTS - Give your crafting projects a...
- DURABLE & WATER-RESISTANT - The vinyl sheets work great in any...
- WIDE APPLICATION - The Cricut permanent vinyl roll is perfect for...
- EASY TO USE - Cricut vinyl lies flat on your cutting mat (sold...
- BEAUTIFUL PROJECTS RIGHT IN YOUR HOME - Cricut supplies &...
Circuit Permanent vinyl is more of a craft vinyl that is easy to use and user-friendly for beginners and professionals. The permanent vinyl car stickers come in holographic and glittery versions and can be easily be placed without leaving car bubbles on your car surface. It also has various colors and styles like Starwars and Hello Kitty if those kinds interest you.
This type of vinyl for making car decals is made of a white color that suits all designs and a marvellous texture with the right amount of gloss. This vinyl to use for car decals is very flexible, with various colors to pick from, including black, white, silver, and gold. You can use it with many different Cricut vinyl tools to achieve different decal designs for your car.
Cricut Vinyl decal lasts up to three years which is a positive if you like changing up your car decals every so often, but if you don't, it can be a disadvantage. It is permanent and robust because of the hardy adhesive and can be used for indoor and outdoor applications. Also, being UV and water-resistant makes it an excellent vinyl for your car.
Pros:
Cons:
5. Siser EasyPSV Permanent Adhesive Vinyl
- Siser EasyPSV Glossy Finish Pressure Sensitive Vinyl for Indoor...
- 12 by 12 Inch Precut Sheets Ship in a Sturdy Cardboard Envelope...
- Specifications: PVC composition, 78# kraft liner, Gloss finish,...
- Great for 12x12 inch Cutting Mats. Works With all Cutting Machine...
Sister EasyPSV vinyl for car decals is a recommendable option for anyone looking to make small decals for your car and may not be the best for large decals. These types of vinyl for making porch signs, names on objects, or outdoor equipment or tools can be customized to your liking. It is one of the most useful types of vinyl for car decals with a wide range of vibrant colors.
Easy PSV is a pressure-sensitive vinyl, and to top it up, it has a glow-in-the-dark version that is a favorite for most people. With a high gloss smooth finish, it has an outdoor durability of approximately 3 to 5 years, depending on the weather elements it is exposed to. The indoor and outdoor vinyl is one of the best vinyl for car decals because it is compatible with all craft cutters, including the Silhouette, Cricut, Xyron, Quickutz, Graphtec, Craft Robo, Pazzles, and Inspiration.
Pros:
Cons:
What to Consider Before Purchasing the Best Vinyl for Car Decals
1. Size
When you consider the size, make sure you note the Cricut or plotter you may have. It would be best if you got an adequate size to carry you through your whole project successfully. The wider the vinyl, the better for you as it gives you enough to complete your work while being inexpensive in the long run.
2. Type of Shades & Adhesive
The type is one of the most crucial things to consider because there are different kinds of textures and hues. There are two types of adhesives: heat transfer adhesive and normal stick adhesive.
However, there are four principal types of vinyl shades, and they include:
i. Matte
Matte is a dull variety of shade that does not reflect much or any light. This is an ideal shade when a customer prefers a rough and rugged vinyl on their machine.
ii. Metallic
Metallic shade is a variation of the glossy shade, and it has a color that looks shiny or glossy but with a metallic vibe. It is suitable when a user is looking for an elegant and rugged vinyl finish.
iii. Brushed
Because metallic is a subsection of glossy, the brushed is a subsection for metallic.
iv. Glossy
The glossy shade is one shade when something does not look brushed or metallic, but it's shiny.
When you know the different types of shades, you can make an informed choice on which one you should go for in your automobile.
3. User-Friendliness
This is how easy it is to use where you are paying attention to how convenient the vinyl to be able to give your best output. You should check how easy it is to peel the back paper off or the weeding part. Also, look at how easy it is to transport and store where you are, checking how the vinyl preserves its shape, where the best is a vinyl that features an inner core. You can consult about ease from the employees of the shop you are getting your supplies from.
4. Durability/Longevity
The quality of any product's material determines its durability or longevity because you want to ensure that it sticks no matter the weather conditions once you stick a vinyl sheet. You should look at how robust the material is and look for properties such as scratch and water-resistant and UV-ray resistance to guarantee you get served for a long time and avoid any replacement costs. Keep in mind that the higher your vinyl's durability, the higher your vinyl's life expectancy for car decals, and the more your car's paintwork is observed.
5. Cost of the Vinyl
The cost of car vinyl should offer you value for money, but you should not strain your pockets too much. However affordable the product might be, it is vital to ensure you make the right and smart choices for your money. Do prior research on the best vinyl for car decals and make an adequate budget to avoid wasting money.
6. The Area it Covers
How much area is covered is determined by the dimensions of the vinyl. Consequently, before you make your purchase, make sure you check how long and wide the rolls or vinyl sheets are. Measurement is generally necessary because the vinyl's thickness also determines how smooth your work will turn out.
Best Vinyl for Car Decals FAQS
1. Is Cricut permanent vinyl suitable for car decals?
It is a strong vinyl and can be used both inside and outside the car, and although it's a craft vinyl, it is very durable. However, its disadvantage is that it comes with a maximum width of 12 inches so if you are looking for a wider width than that, choose a Siser or an Oracal vinyl.
2. What is the best printable vinyl for car decals?
From our review, the best printable types of vinyl would be the Cricut Premium Vinyl and the Oracle 951
3. Can you use heat transfer vinyl for car decals?
Yes. Depending on the car's surface, you can either use heat transfer vinyl or adhesive vinyl. It would be best to keep in mind that you will need vinyl transfer tape and a vinyl cutting machine.
4. What material is used for car decals?
Many materials can be used to print car decals, and the common ones are cast vinyl, calendared vinyl, printable vinyl, and glow-in-the-dark vinyl.
