You will find companies like Porsche use small areas for example on the rear arches to protect from stone chips. This is made from the very thick American type/3M vinyl referred to as cast vinyl meaning it is manufactured as a sheet and will stay in the shapes and mouldings of the vehicle, it has an an acrylic glue. Once this type of vinyl is applied the bond just gets stronger, and after a few years will be very difficult to remove. This is in my view is the only type to offer any real protection to the paintwork, however I personally would not use it for large panels, only small vulnerable areas due to the potential difficulty in removing. The type of vinyl used for vehicle wraps uses a water based adhesive so that it can be removed after 3 years, this type of vinyl is referred to as monomeric meaning it is made of single chain molecules and as such will always try to return to it original shape. If you look at commercial vehicles, I am sure you will have seen it pulling away from the corners and splitting, 'this is why'. There are other types of vinyl but in my view none of these will offer significant protection from stones etc.
I hope this helps you all make an informed decision as to weather to go with vinyl on your vehicles. A van is one thing, your pride and joy is quite another.
