Cast vs Calendared Film?

For car enthusiasts looking to wrap their ride, the biggest dilemma is which vinyl film they should opt for—cast or calendered? Cast vinyl is thin and flexible and quite expensive whereas calendered vinyl is relatively thick and is not only great for flat surfaces but with expertise, it can also be smoothly applied to the complex curves of your vehicle. And best of all, its cost is reasonable. 

Let’s settle this debate once and for all. Read on to learn the difference between cast and calendered vinyl films helping you choose the ideal one for your car.   

Calendered Vinyl

A high-grade calendered vinyl is a polymeric film made with polyvinyl chloride (PVC). It is manufactured by passing PVC through heated rollers to flatten and transform it into a film form. It is slightly thicker, starting from 2.5 mils, and holds up well against wear. A premium calendered vinyl film is medium stretchable and gives excellent performance when applied to any smooth surface.  

Features of Calendered Vinyl

• Reliable Material: Calendered vinyl, being thick in comparison, has a firmer, reliable structure. This makes it easy to handle, too. 
• Maintains Color Consistency: When wrapped around curves, calendered vinyl does not get distorted and maintains its color consistency and smooth look. 
• Easy to Install: It is easy to apply on vehicles. A high-quality calendered vinyl film is equipped with air-release channels that allow hassle-free removal of pesky bubbles. 
• Medium Stretchability: This allows the vinyl to conform perfectly around the curves of your car, no matter how complex its shape is and it always looks amazing. 
• Extra Protection: Since calendered vinyl is not as thin, it gives robust protection to the exterior of your vehicle against the harsh elements in the environment, keeping its original paintwork in a flawless, blemish-free condition. 
• Resistant to Scratches and Other Minor Damages:  Calendered vinyl is resistant to minor scratches and marks that it might have to face during the daily commute of the vehicle.    
• Durable Performance: It gives durable performance when maintained properly and protected from harsh weather.
• Lifespan of Calendered Vinyl: It may last a good two to three years. But why stick to one vinyl color for so long? Keep things exciting, present your evolving style, give your car a makeover every few years, and enjoy the wonderment and praise that comes with it. 
• Extensive Variety: Who wouldn’t love to have the liberty to choose any unique shade for their car? Calendered vinyl comes in a wide selection of colors and finishes. You can get shades that are never seen on cars. As for finishes, you can buy gloss, matte, satin, chrome, color shift, and others in this vinyl.  

Cast Vinyl

Cast Vinyl is also made of polyvinyl chloride. It is liquefied, mixed with plasticizers and pigments, and poured into a casting sheet. Then it is processed in ovens which makes the solvents in it evaporate and a solid film is formed. The manufacturing of cast film requires a rigorous process that results in high costs, hence it is more expensive than calendered vinyl. 

Features of Cast Vinyl

• Expensive Film: When it comes to being cost-effective, cast vinyl does not fit the bill. It is more on the expensive side and so is not everyone’s cup of tea. 
• Conformable Material: If you have a vehicle with a very complex body shape and a lot of difficult curves and contours, you will find cast vinyl conformable giving good coverage. 
• Comparatively Thin and Lightweight: Cast vinyl is thinner in comparison to a calendered film allowing smooth application. 
• Durable Material: It also has a durable composition with a longer lifespan. 
• Reduced Shrinkage: Cast vinyl shrinks less and thus maintains its look. 
• Excellent Variety: It also has a large variety of colors and finishes giving you a lot of choices.  

Difference Between Cast and Calendered Vinyl

To better understand which vinyl is best for your project, let's discuss in detail the differences between cast and calendered vinyl. 

 

Which is Better, Cast or Calendered Vinyl?

When it comes to deciding between cast and calendered vinyl, it is important to consider your specific needs and the vehicle you are working on. A premium-quality calendered vinyl from a reputable brand is a cut above the rest. It is crafted to be medium stretchable and conforms to difficult curves with skill. It provides excellent protection against everyday wear and scratches caused by road debris and tar when driving around. Plus, you get an excellent variety. 

Cast vinyl is thin and flexible, and easily covers the shape of your ride. It stretches well and also protects the surface underneath. But, it is quite expensive. If you love change, want to give your car a transformation every few years, and do not want to burn a hole in your pocket, calendered vinyl is the best choice!

Transform Your Car WIth the Ideal Vinyl!

What makes an ideal vinyl? The one that has excellent quality, gives great performance, allows you to be creative, preserves the look of your vehicle, and best of all, does not cost a lot. If you share this aim then calendered vinyl is the one to opt for. For premium-quality films, visit the Teckwrap online store. We deliver a vast variety of high-grade vinyl worldwide. Browse through our collection now and get the finest vinyl film delivered to your doorstep.