Give Your Boat a Fresh New Look With the Best Vinyl Striping
Whether you own a boat, a car, or a motorcycle, vinyl striping is one of the best ways to add some style and personality to your vehicle. First introduced by Kenny Howard in the 1950s, vinyl striping has since evolved into an art form that can be applied to almost any vehicle. These strips are easy to apply and can be removed without damaging the paint underneath. Plus, they don't fade or crack, so you can show off your style with confidence!
From brightly colored strips to full-on graphics, there's no shortage of options out there when it comes to selecting the perfect vinyl striping for your boat. To assist you in making your purchase decision, we’ve reviewed the finest vinyl stripings of 2024 that’ll jazz up your ride in no time!
Our Top Picks
The Leading Vinyl Striping You Can Buy in 2024
Best Overall
If you’re looking for a vinyl product that will add dimension and character to any surface, look no further than ORACAL Vinyl Striping. Made from premium material, these vinyl strips are waterproof, so you don’t have to worry about them getting ruined or losing their shine over time. You can apply these durable vinyl strips around curves and contoured surfaces, making them perfect for the hull of your boat.
The adhesive on the back of each sheet is strong enough to hold up under extreme weather conditions without becoming brittle over time. It still peels off easily when you’re ready for a change! Best of all, this vinyl striping is available in a range of colors and sizes so you can easily pick one according to your style, making it our best choice overall.
Pros
- Wax released liner for hassle-free installation
- Premium vinyl material for durability
- Great for indoor and outdoor use
Cons
- Might be too thin
Highest Quality
The GGR Vinyl Striping is made from soft polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which makes it resistant to elements including sun, water, and oil. With a synthetic rubber resin adhesive backing, it’s exceptionally conformable and easy to apply. You can write on its surface using standard pens or markers without damaging its integrity. Plus, this vinyl striping also meets OSHA requirements for safety and durability.
Available in a range of sizes, this vinyl striping can be used for both indoor and outdoor signage needs including traffic control devices (such as highway signs), commercial signage (such as storefronts), and industrial striping projects.
Pros
- Resistant to fading and cracking
- Strong adhesion won’t come off
- Allows you to write on it
Cons
- Might shrink after applying
Easiest To Apply
If you’re looking to add some pizzazz to your boat or car, Cridoz Vinyl Striping is the perfect solution. Made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) material, this vinyl striping is both durable and flexible so you can use it on a variety of surfaces without worrying about fading and cracks. Measuring 0.125 inches in width, it can be used for all sorts of projects, including glassware labels, room dividers, car bonnets, headlights, and furniture accents — the possibilities are endless!
Unlike other vinyl stripings on the market, this one is self-adhesive, so you won’t have to worry about sticky residue or messy glue. And it’s easy to apply — simply peel off the backing, press it firmly against the surface, and let it dry. You can even cut it into any shape or size you want!
Pros
- Durable and long-lasting material
- Easy-to-use, self-adhesive backing
- Available in a set of 10 rolls
Cons
- Only available in black
The Safest Pick
WOD Tape Vinyl Striping is an economical, durable, and long-lasting solution for marking vehicles, boats, sporting equipment, and many other items. Made from premium quality polyvinyl chloride, this vinyl striping has high tensile strength and elongation, providing high conformability and resistance to impact and abrasion.
This vinyl striping has a strong rubber adhesive that adheres well to most substrates, yet can be removed cleanly without residue. When used appropriately, it creates a barrier against moisture and vapors so you don’t have to worry about damaging your boat. Even better, it features write-on capability, so you can easily customize it. For added safety, this vinyl striping meets the OSHA requirement, making it easy to use in any indoor and outdoor setting.
Pros
- Highly conformable and UV resistant
- Compliant with OSHA safety standard
- Available in a rainbow-colored variety pack
Cons
- Not very stretchable
Most Long-Lasting
Get ready to make an impression with WOD Tape Red Vinyl Striping. Made of polyvinyl chloride material, this vinyl striping has a long shelf-life so you don’t have to worry about your tape deteriorating over time or during storage. It also has the write-on capability so you can label it with the next size up or down for easier navigation.
Highly conformable and resistant to wear, tear, and punctures, you can apply this vinyl striping to any surface. When applied to boats and cars, it creates a moisture and vapor barrier, protecting them from rust and damage. For superior performance and safety, this high-definition vinyl striping is OSHA-certified for commercial and residential use.
Pros
- Longer shelf life than competitors
- Can be used on different surfaces
- UV-resistant and waterproof
Cons
- The tape might stick together
Buying Guide to Finding a Vinyl Striping
If you want to make your boat stand out, vinyl striping is the ideal choice because you can be as creative as you want. With vinyl striping, you can quickly design a distinctive, intricate pattern to add a personalized touch to your boat or car. Due to the wide variety of vinyl striping available on the market, you might end up buying the wrong product. We’ve put together a thorough guide to help you find the ideal vinyl striping.
Types of Vinyl Striping
Cast vinyl striping
This type of vinyl striping is more expensive because of the material used, but it’s an ideal choice when you want to wrap your whole boat with it. Thanks to its plasticizing agent, cast vinyl striping adds value to your boat offering it more durability.
Cast vinyl starts as a chemical slurry that’s poured on a casting sheet and then put on the conveyor belt and dried slowly to make striping. Most cast vinyl wraps come with strong but gentle adhesives, allowing you to use them right out of the box.
Protective vinyl striping
Not all vinyl wraps offer an aesthetic statement, some are more functionality-focused. Protective vinyl striping works as a protective layer on your boat to protect the paint from the elements and avoid water damage. It can also slow the fading process of your boat’s paint, even after continuous sun and water exposure. You can choose protective vinyl striping in either a matte or a glossy finish according to your preference to give a personalized touch to your boat.
Colored vinyl striping
Being the most versatile wraps, colored vinyl stripings are available in almost any color you can think of, ranging from bright chrome to jet black and classic car colors. This type of vinyl wrap lends an aesthetic appeal to your boat, making it more pleasing to look at.
Colored vinyl striping is a little stretchy and extremely easy to apply, and lasts around five years of daily use. A perk of colored vinyl wraps is that you can use them both for the interior and exterior of the boat.
How To Choose a Vinyl Striping
Quality
If you want to overhaul your ride’s overall look, you should get high-quality vinyl striping that doesn’t rip off your boat’s paint or damage the exterior. It should match the overall aesthetics of your boat, giving your ride a more refined and attractive appearance.
Testimonials
If you’re a first-time user, consider seeking advice from current vinyl striping users. They will share their experience with you or you can find reviews from previous customers on the product page. People often rely heavily on user evaluations when deciding on the vinyl striping to purchase. By referring to previous users’ reviews, you can quickly get an idea about the quality and performance of the vinyl striping.
Benefits of Using Vinyl Striping
Resilience and pliability
Vinyl is the most commonly used material for striping since it is the most resilient and pliable. Polyester-based chrome, gold, and holographic striping are not as durable as high-performance vinyl striping.
Longer lifespan
With proper care, your vinyl striping might possibly last up to 10 years after it’s installed on your boat. Keep in mind that high metallic tones are less resilient and often only last two to five years. The lifetime decreases as the amount of metal grains increases.
Doesn’t damage the surface
Vinyl striping tape is a strong and convenient adhesive. If used properly and over factory-original paint, it will not damage your boat’s paint coat. Because applying vinyl striping is so convenient, you can even apply it yourself without scratching or damaging the exterior of the boat.
People Also Asked
How should I pick a color for vinyl striping?
You should pick a color that matches the overall color palette of your boat to make it more attractive and highlight specific details.
How long will my vinyl striping last?
With proper care, your vinyl striping can last five to 10 years. Keep in mind that metallic shades usually fade quickly and only last for two to five years.
How should I apply vinyl striping?
You should clean the surface before applying the vinyl striping and apply it carefully to avoid bubbles. Be sure not to apply any wax after cleaning it to ensure the adhesive sticks firmly to the surface.