Ash Wraps!

Meet the UK’s YOUNGEST custom car wrapper! Car wrapping involves applying a thin, adhesive vinyl film over a vehicle's exterior to change its appearance.

Ash tells Roadster! all about it!

Hi Ash! First up, tell us a little bit about Ash.

How old are you and where do you live?

I'm 15 and I’m from North Wales

What IS car wrapping?

Car wrapping is using a sticky plastic called

vinyl which is basically a giant sticker which you

can use to put on the car.

How did you first get interested?

I started designing liveries on Forza

Horizon 3/4 when I was 10 years old.

What led to decide to give it a go?

My dad used to rally back in his day and did his own

liveries for his cars. We did some wrapping on his

old Subaru.

How ON EARTH do you get started in something like this?

If I did it all again, I would say go to your local sign makers

and ask for some off cuts and maybe a squeegee which you use to apply the vinyl.

How did you LEARN how to do this?

My dad taught me the basics which you can find on YouTube or tiktok and then I started looking into more advanced techniques.

Right then, take us through the steps you follow in car wrapping. What's the first step in your process?

The first step is always cleaning the car with normal soapy water and NEVER use a wax

What tools do you use to bring a vision to life?

I design everything on paper and on games so there's no big money involved.

How do you transfer a 2D computer design onto a car?

Well big businesses use software like photoshop and adobe illustrator to design and then they use a special vinyl printer. Because my business is only small I design then I go to my local sign maker and vehicle wrapping business to print the design.

How long does something like this take?

The full process of designing, printing and application can take upto 3 weeks

Cars are quite complex, full of tricky curves and edges. How do you work around them?

There's certain tricks you can do but the best advice i can give is let the vinyl do the work for you and don't try and stretch the vinyl too much.

Do you have some tricks for a smooth application?

There's one trick which is called glassing where you stick one side of the vinyl and then pull lightly but low to the surface on the other side and go over it with the squeegee

And what about maintenance? How do you look after a wrap once it is on?

Wrap can be very durable. However during the first week or two I wouldn't go to the car wash.

Is this a hobby or is it a business? Have you started selling your wraps?

I do design in my free time but it is very much a business.

How do you determine the cost of a wrap?

The cost of a wrap depends on time and the overall cost of the materials used.

How long have you been wrapping cars?

I've been wrapping for 6 years as a business

How many vehicle wraps have you done so far?

I've done over 24 unique custom wraps and liveries

What do you like most about it?

The application can be very satisfying

What more do you want to achieve with your car wrapping?

I think if I put all my time into the business it will go very far and grow.

What next for AshWraps?

I'm currently in the process of going to big wrapping companies for training with world renowned reputations.

Perhaps there are some Roadster! readers like you who fancy having a go. Any tips for someone considering a car wrap?

The Internet is your best friend and don't buy really expensive wrap have a go using sign vinyl first!

Thanks Ash!

We think your wrapping is awesome! We hope your business will take you far!

Find out more! Have a look at Ash’s wraps online!

https://linktr.ee/ashwraps