Has the paint on your car seen better days? Once your paint starts peeling, fading, or chipping, there’s no going back. At this point, you pretty much have two options: a car wrap vs. a paint job. While both are viable options, they each come with their own pros and cons.
What Are Car Wraps?
Car wraps are sheets of adhesive vinyl that stretch over the body of the vehicle to fit the contours perfectly. While partial car wraps cover a section of the vehicle, full-body wraps look just like a new paint job. Vinyl wraps even come in multiple different finishes and can be customized for a completely unique look.
Car Wraps vs. Paint Jobs: Pros & Cons
Although car wraps might look like paint jobs, there are certainly differences between the two. While there are some advantages to repainting, the benefits that car wraps provide far outweigh any downsides.
Price: How Much Does it Cost for a Car Wrap vs. Painting?
Some shops may charge as low as a few hundred dollars for a full paint job. But at that price, you aren’t getting a quality product. If you want it done right, the cost to paint a car could be at least $5,000, depending on the amount of work involved. But that’s not for anything custom. Want your own company graphics or logo? That’ll cost more. Detailed paint jobs can go upwards of $10,000, depending on the job at hand.
The cost of wrapping a car is typically more affordable than your average paint job, although the price varies greatly depending on the size, complexity, and finish. A vinyl wrap for a small two-door coupe might be as little as $2,000, whereas larger SUVs start higher at around $4,000. Custom vinyl wraps are going to run more, as well as wraps for luxury vehicles.
Service Time: Is It Faster to Wrap a Car or Repaint?
Paint jobs are a long and involved process, taking anywhere from several days to a few weeks. Vinyl wraps have a much faster turnaround, usually only taking a few days. Depending on how long you can be without your car, this might be an important deciding factor.
Versatility: Wraps Don’t Just Look Like Paint, They Protect It
Where repainting is just a cover-up, vinyl wraps actually protect the paint. The best part? It’s removable. So, if you ever want to go back to your original paint color, you can. Paint, on the other hand, is permanent, so once you add it, there’s no going back. This makes wraps not just a great option for older cars, but also for new vehicles for protecting the original paint.
Longevity: How Long Does a Car Wrap Last?
Compared to a paint job that can last upwards of ten to fifteen years, automotive wraps will only last between five and seven years if properly maintained. For both paint and vinyl wraps, though, longevity largely depends on how you store your vehicle, the climate, and driving style.
Why You Should Consider a Car Wrap vs. Painting
Both repainting and car wraps are great options to consider if you’re looking to transform the exterior of your vehicle. A new paint job offers a more permanent solution and will last longer, although it will cost more. Wrapping your car is both more affordable and completely reversible. If you’d like to explore your options for car wraps, reach out to the car enhancement specialists at Auto Trim Design.
Contact the experts at Auto Trim Design if you have any questions about car upgrades at (301) 662-7443 or fill out this brief form. We would love to hear from you. We are ready and available to help you get your vehicle ready for summer, resale or any other automotive enhancements. Our team is the absolute best when it comes to interior and exterior upgrades that add luxury, convenience, and safety features while enhancing your vehicle’s overall function and style.