4 minute read
SEMA 2023 RECAP
Wraps Take Center Stage
By James “Ruggs” Kochevar
Once again, the world’s largest trade show did not disappoint! Considering the point of view of covering this event from a wraps perspective,
I have to consider where project cars used to be and where they are now. This year marks the 20th anniversary of me personally attending SEMA from a press standpoint. At first, I went for the electronics
side of things. Checking out brands like Kicker, Rockford Fosgate, Scosche and the like. Then I covered performance products, including Skyjacker, Bully Dog and Fidanza. Now, it’s all vinyl, all day, everyday!
In 2003, at my first SEMA convention, custom paint ruled the scene. Gorgeous low riders, trucks and bikes glistened as far as the eye could see. Wraps had a place, but not a lot of “purists” wanted to talk about them. Fast forward twenty years and wraps are the undeniably de facto method of choice and are at the forefront of the restyling landscape. Why is that? Why the shift?
For starters, custom paint is crazy expensive. I mean, like an arm-and-leg expensive. It’s also hard to get scheduled for a project build, as these things don’t always go to plan. If the build takes longer than expected, you may lose your window on the painter’s schedule. Don’t even get me started on airbrushing. These artists need time and that might be a luxury you don’t have.
Enter the flexibility of wraps. Even with a custom design, an artist can be working on the design while the builders are in production. As long as there’s communication on the dimensions of the layout, an artist can plan ahead and print on their schedule, then it’s up to the installer to nail the beauty lines. This is even
easier, when you consider a straight color change.
Speaking of color change, what an incredible alternative for project cars to bring a totally different look from year to year. We all have our favorite builds, but it’s ultracool to see them with a new color or design. Not to mention the incredible savings for the owners year after year.
This year we saw gloss and matte finishes. We saw wet and dry PPF. We saw the brands you know and love, including 3M, Arlon, Avery Dennison, EVOLV, Flexishield, HEXIS, Inozetek, ORAFOL/KPMF, STEK, Teckwrap. Also on hand were some incredible tool and printer manufacturers who help us keep our edge. Companies like Fusion Tools, Mutoh America, Mimaki USA, Pressure on Demand, The Rag Company, WrapCut and WrapGlove. We also witnessed a big announcement from The Wrap Institute, ZENO and Ford which promises to change the game in dealership related wraps.
There were amazing contests with ridiculously cool swag and high $$$ prizes for the winners. The wrap fam did not disappoint, capturing the
attention of SEMA onlookers and installers alike. Congrats to the winners, but also congrats to us all, as we continue to grow awareness for wraps in the market and capture our seat at the SEMA table. As we wrap up another remarkable
SEMA event, it’s clear that the world of vinyl wraps has firmly established itself as a driving force in the automotive industry, and we look forward to seeing how it continues to evolve in the years to come. Cheers!
