Vinyl wrapping looks straightforward — cover the surface you want to change, seal the edges, walk away. But the Grenadier has external sensors and cameras that actively function. Covering sensor surfaces impairs ADAS function. INEOS has provided specific diagrams showing exactly where wrapping is prohibited.
Sensor and Camera Locations
The Grenadier's driving assistance systems depend on exterior sensors and cameras across three zones. Understanding their locations is critical before any wrapping work begins:
- Front: Windscreen area, grille region, headlight assemblies — handling lane-keeping, collision warning, adaptive cruise
- Side: Door mirrors and side panels — monitoring blind spots and parking assistance
- Rear: Rear bumper and tailgate — supporting reverse parking, trailer detection, rear collision warning
INEOS provides schematic diagrams showing front, side, and rear impermissible zones in the Body Builder Guide. These zones must be consulted before any vinyl wrapping project begins.
The Wrapping Rule
Sensor and Camera Protection
No foil or vinyl over exterior sensors or cameras. Period. If you cover a sensor with reflective film, opaque vinyl, or even slightly tinted foil, you degrade or eliminate its function. The vehicle's systems cannot compensate for blinded sensors — they'll either operate with degraded performance or fault out entirely.
Sensor degradation often doesn't trigger immediately. The vehicle may operate for weeks with reduced lane-keeping performance or disabled blind-spot monitoring. When the system finally faults, the issue may be difficult to diagnose because you've covered the sensors and forgotten about the wrap.
Removal and Paint Damage
Foil removal must not cause paint damage. This means using foil materials compatible with automotive finishes and applying removable adhesive, not permanent glue. Foil sticker material must not chemically react with vehicle paint.
After removal, inspect all wrapped surfaces carefully for adhesive residue or discoloration. Never use aggressive chemical strippers to remove vinyl adhesive — test on a hidden area first. Allow adequate time for adhesive to release naturally if needed, and always use approved automotive cleaning products.
Planning Your Wrap Strategy
If you're planning a full wrap or commercial livery, work backwards from the sensor diagrams. Design the wrap to avoid sensor zones entirely. Modern digital design tools allow you to overlay the sensor diagrams onto your wrap artwork before fabrication.
For commercial livery, this often means designing the graphics to work around sensor zones rather than covering them. The constraint becomes part of the design process. Many professional wrap shops now request sensor zone diagrams from vehicle manufacturers before quoting full wraps.
Windscreen and Window Regulations
Country-specific regulations govern what can be applied to windscreens, windows, and lighting lenses. These exist independently of the sensor restriction. Know your local rules regarding tinting percentages, permissible colours, and logo placement.
Combining sensor restrictions with local regulations sometimes leaves limited room for creative wrapping. Account for both constraints during planning. What's legal in one region may be prohibited in another, even on the same vehicle.
Specific Sensor Locations: A Text-Based Map
The Body Builder Guide includes dimensioned diagrams for the exclusion zones. Since we can't reproduce those here, here's a practical text description of where every sensor and camera lives on the Grenadier exterior:
Front Zone
| Sensor / Camera | Location | Exclusion Radius |
|---|---|---|
| Forward-facing camera (ADAS) | Behind the windshield, upper centre (near rearview mirror mount) | Do not tint or film the windshield area directly in front of the camera housing — typically a ~150mm × 150mm clear zone |
| Front radar sensor | Behind the front grille, centre of bumper | No wrap material over the grille area concealing the radar module — metallic or foil wraps are especially problematic as they reflect radar signals |
| Front parking sensors (×4) | Integrated into the front bumper face, evenly spaced | Individual sensor faces must remain uncovered — ~30mm diameter each. PPF is generally acceptable over parking sensors once fully cured |
Side Zone
| Sensor / Camera | Location | Exclusion Radius |
|---|---|---|
| Side mirror cameras (where fitted) | Integrated into the lower housing of each door mirror | Camera lens and surrounding ~20mm must remain clear of any wrap material |
| Blind spot monitoring sensors | Rear quarter panel, behind the rear bumper corners | Approximately 100mm × 60mm zone per side — no metallic or reflective wraps |
Rear Zone
| Sensor / Camera | Location | Exclusion Radius |
|---|---|---|
| Rear camera | Mounted above the rear registration plate, in the tailgate handle area | Camera lens and ~30mm surround must remain unwrapped |
| Rear parking sensors (×4) | Integrated into the rear bumper face | Same as front — ~30mm sensor faces must stay clear. PPF OK once cured |
| Rear radar (where fitted) | Behind the rear bumper, centre | No metallic wraps over this area |
PPF (Paint Protection Film): What's Different
Paint Protection Film (PPF) is fundamentally different from vinyl wrap in two important ways: it's transparent, and it's thinner. This changes the equation for sensor coverage.
PPF Over Parking Sensors
Generally acceptable. Once fully cured (typically 24–48 hours), quality PPF is thin enough (typically 150–200 microns) that ultrasonic parking sensors read through it without measurable degradation. Most PPF installers apply film directly over parking sensor faces as standard practice. The key is allowing full cure time — sensors may read short during the first day while adhesive is still wet.
PPF Over Camera Lenses
Not recommended. Even high-clarity PPF introduces slight optical distortion that can affect camera-based ADAS systems. The forward-facing camera behind the windshield should never have film applied to the windshield in its field of view (beyond any factory-specified tint band). Rear camera lenses should remain film-free.
PPF Over Radar Zones
Proceed with caution. Standard clear PPF (non-metallic) typically does not interfere with radar signals. However, some premium PPF products contain metallic particles for enhanced UV protection or self-healing properties. Confirm with your PPF manufacturer that the product is radar-transparent before applying over front or rear radar sensor areas.
Recommended PPF Strategy for the Grenadier
The most common and safest PPF approach covers the full front end (hood, fenders, bumper, mirror caps, A-pillars) while masking out camera and radar zones. This protects the areas most vulnerable to stone chips without risking ADAS interference. Owners in high-UV environments (Australia, Middle East, southern US) often extend coverage to the roof and rear tailgate.
Wrap Material Considerations
Not all vinyl wrap films are equal when it comes to sensor compatibility:
Metallic and Chrome Wraps
Highest risk. Metallic particles in chrome, brushed metal, and satin metal finishes reflect radar signals and can cause false readings or complete sensor blindness. Never apply metallic wraps over any radar sensor zone — front grille area, rear bumper centre, or blind-spot monitoring areas on the rear quarters.
Matte and Satin Colour Wraps
Moderate risk. Non-metallic colour-change wraps are generally safe over body panels and parking sensor areas but must still avoid camera lenses and radar zones. The adhesive layer can affect ultrasonic sensors if applied too thickly — use premium cast vinyl (not cheaper calendered film) for areas near sensors.
Carbon Fibre Texture Wraps
Low risk for most sensors but the textured surface can trap moisture and debris around sensor faces over time. Ensure clean edges and proper sealing around any sensor cutouts.
When commissioning a full wrap, provide your installer with the INEOS Body Builder Guide sensor diagrams. Any professional wrap shop should mask out sensor zones as standard practice — but many haven't worked on a Grenadier before and won't know the specific sensor locations without guidance.
Commercial Livery and Fleet Wraps
For fleet operators applying branded livery wraps, the same sensor exclusion rules apply. Additionally:
- Reflective safety markings (e.g., chevron strips on emergency or construction vehicles) must not cover radar zones — the reflective material contains metallic elements
- Wrap edges near door seals and window channels should be sealed to prevent moisture ingress that could affect door-mounted sensors
- If applying wrap to the tailgate, ensure the rear camera cutout allows a clean, sealed edge that won't peel and obstruct the lens over time
- Document which sensor zones were masked during wrapping — this helps future maintenance teams if wraps need to be replaced or repaired
Specific Sensor and Camera Locations
Before wrapping or applying PPF to your Grenadier, you need to know exactly where every sensor window lives. Covering any of these areas — even with clear film — can degrade or disable critical safety systems.
Complete Sensor Location Map
| Sensor/Camera | Location | Function | Wrap/PPF Restriction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Front camera | Below front grille, centre | Forward-facing parking/surround view | No coverage — even clear PPF can create glare artifacts |
| Rear camera | Above rear registration plate | Reversing camera | No coverage of lens; surround area can be wrapped |
| Front radar sensor | Behind front grille, centre | Adaptive cruise control, collision warning | No metallic or thick wraps on grille in sensor zone — radar cannot penetrate metallic films |
| Front ultrasonic sensors (x4) | Front bumper face | Parking distance | No coverage over sensor faces; colour-matched wrap around them is acceptable |
| Rear ultrasonic sensors (x4) | Rear bumper face | Parking distance | Same as front |
| Windscreen camera | Behind rearview mirror, upper windscreen | Lane assist, sign recognition | No tinting or film on windscreen in camera viewing zone |
| Rain/light sensor | Behind rearview mirror | Auto wipers, auto headlights | No film over sensor window |
PPF vs Vinyl: What Works Where
- PPF (Paint Protection Film): Clear, self-healing films (XPEL, SunTek, 3M Pro Series) are safe on all body panels except directly over sensor windows. PPF is thicker than vinyl (typically 8–10 mil vs 3–4 mil) and provides genuine impact protection against stone chips and bush pinstripes.
- Colour-change vinyl: Safe on body panels but must be masked around all sensor locations. Metallic or chrome vinyl must not cover the radar sensor zone in the front grille — metallic particles in the film block radar signals.
- Ceramic coating: Applied as a liquid, ceramic coating does not interfere with any sensors and can be applied over the entire vehicle including sensor windows. It provides UV and chemical protection but no impact protection.
- Matte/satin PPF: Available from major manufacturers for owners wanting a matte finish with protection. Note that complex curves (like door hinges) are challenging with thick PPF.
What Owners Are Saying
"PPF film is thick and they were not able to do it in matte with a clean finish — they could have maybe covered most of it if it was the clear finish."
— Owner on matte PPF challenges, The INEOS Forum, July 2023
"I've had quite a bit of experience with wraps and different ceramic coatings. If you're talking about colour-change wraps, you need to differentiate between the less protective but vast colour options of vinyl and the more protective PPF."
— Experienced wrapper advising on material choice, The INEOS Forum
"After an 8-month wait we finally took delivery of our new Grenadier. We had a satin PPF done on the vehicle before delivery — the result looks killer."
— Owner sharing satin PPF results, The INEOS Forum, May 2025
Approved Materials and Best Practices
- Use automotive-grade films from established manufacturers (XPEL, 3M, SunTek, Avery Dennison) — they publish sensor compatibility data
- Have the installer mask all sensor zones before starting — don't rely on cutting film off sensors after application
- For bush pinstripe protection specifically, focus PPF on the lower doors, fenders, and A-pillars — the areas that actually contact vegetation
- Document which zones were masked during installation — this helps future maintenance when wraps need replacement
