Color-Change Customization Guide
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Here’s a simple but comprehensive guide on what you should know before wrapping your car. If this is your first time, please check out every section below!
A color-change vinyl wrap is a great way to significantly change your vehicle’s appearance without going to a full-paint job. Whether it’s to make your “old” car new again or to make your new one stand out, we want to ensure you’re informed about the investment you’re interested in making.
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Most modern cars are eligible for a full wrap if the paint is in excellent condition.
Once you start getting past 10+ years, you're beginning to weigh car value vs. wrap cost and may get into paint issues - paint issues include clear coat pealing, low-quality repainting, deep scratches, and chips, heavy oxidation and rust, etc.
Paint issues should be fixed before a wrap is installed. As a general rule of thumb, whatever you feel with your finger will show through your wrap. Some light scratches and chips will be OK. We can test this out at our shop by placing some vinyl samples over any areas of concern to see how the wrap looks over the area, and then you can decide what you're OK with or not.
Classics and many older vehicles can have a lot of paint issues due to their age and generally are very difficult to wrap. However, it's important to note that the job can be done if the surface allows and you're OK with many strategically placed seams. This opens up the possibility of giving your older vehicle a fresh, new look.
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The cost of a color-change job is composed of labor + material costs. Vehicle prices range from around $3000 to $10,000+. Smaller projects such as bikes, golf carts, and other recreational vehicles can start from $600 and go up from there. Remember, this does not include the cost of bodywork or additional customization costs.
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Vinyl is reasonably durable, resisting "normal" wear and light scratching. What's great is that it is a beautiful sacrificial layer to your paint job. That said, vinyl shouldn't be treated as paint protection film. Paint protection film (PPF) is around double the thickness and more robust than vinyl - making it more resistant to rock chipping and heavier scratches. If you need this type of protection along with your color change, there are several colored PPF options available to you
As your vinyl wrap ages, it will inevitably show some rock chip wear. When choosing a wrap color, it's important to consider the contrast with your vehicle's original paint. A lighter vehicle transitioning to a very dark wrap color will make rock chips more noticeable due to this contrast.
Wraps can last anywhere from 2 to 5+ years. Beyond that, most manufacturers recommend removing the wrap due to the age of the adhesive - a wrap that overextends its stay can be a pain to remove or, worse, cause paint damage on removal.
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There are two types of warranty you'll deal with:
1) Installer/Shop Warranty - This will take care of any install issues for some time. These warranties cover lifting, bubbling, and post-install imperfections due to install errors. These can range from 4 weeks to around 90 days.2) Vinyl Material Warranty. These warranties are specific to the vinyl manufacturer. They can range from 2 to 5+ years, factor in geographical location, and differentiate between horizontal and vertical panels (horizontal panels usually have less warranty time). This warranty covers defects in the material.
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A panel that has been damaged can be rewrapped - your shop will typically have a little bit of extra vinyl to cover your average-sized panel. What's important to note is that depending on how long the wrap has been on, your replacement may be "too fresh" and stand out compared to the rest of your "older" vinyl wrap.
It's worth noting that each batch of vinyl wrap can have slight color variations. Therefore, if you need to order more material, be aware that its color may not perfectly match your original roll.
Because there are so many variables, it is tough to give a timeframe for when a panel replacement will be safe or when it'd be better to rewrap a side to the entire car. There's a subjective factor to this as well - just something to keep in mind.
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Regarding maintenance, it's always best to hand wash your vehicle regularly - at least once a month. There are ways to do that in around 20 minutes at home without a pressure washer. Ceramic coating your wrap is recommended to make the wash process easier and faster and give the wrap a longer lifespan.
Why Your Wrap Needs a Ceramic Coating...
While clients have found success with auto touchless washes, it's important to note the inherent risk of excessive water pressure that may damage your wrap. Before entering an auto wash, always ensure your wrap isn't lifting anywhere obvious - as lifted edges and other wrap imperfections can be worsened with the pressured water.
It's best to avoid brush-style washes - these will slowly scratch the surface of your vinyl, dulling the finish and reducing the vinyl's lifespan. Furthermore, both auto washes use powerful PH soaps to clean your car. These soaps are so strong that they slowly wear down a wrap or paint finish over time. This is another solid reason to ceramic coat your vehicle, giving it the chemical resistance it needs to withstand these soaps.
IMPORTANT: To preserve your wrap's appearance, addressing any contaminants that can sit on your wrap as soon as possible is best. Bugs, bird droppings, irrigation water, and even harsh city rainfall can cause damage fast when coupled with exposure to hot sun, causing permanent staining on your wrap. It can start getting into the clear coat beneath if left long enough. Whether ceramic coated or not, it's always essential to keep tabs on your wrap; carry a waterless spray and a few microfibers to address any contaminants immediately. -
There's an incredible amount of color options available to you.
Check out our Color & Material Options page to learn more about the options and browse a curated selection of colors available.
Tip: It's usually no big deal to add accent pieces in an alternate color - Pair your satin vinyl with gloss accents, vice-versa, or choose a textured/3d pattern as an accent.
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Aside from the cost of the wrap + a ceramic coating, here are some other customization options that may add to your final bill when considering a color change:
Chrome delete/blackout/new accessories & parts to accompany your wrap transformation (i.e., spoilers, lips, body kits, light housings, etc.)
Graphics & decals to go on top of your color change wrap.
New wheels or wheel refinishing to match your new color better. Cars with colored calipers may want to compliment or change their color.
Window tint to darken the glass. Mitigate the increased heat of darker car colors and match the aesthetics of the new color.
Recap
We hope this gives you the information you need to be well-informed in your decision. Please get in touch with us for further clarification or to schedule a consultation with us to get started.
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