Car wraps have gained a lot of popularity in recent times. They offer you the possibility to completely alter the appearance of your vehicle however, they can provide long-term, extensive protection for the surface and paint of your car. These stylish yet protective layers can help prevent the chips and blemishes that often occur with daily driving and exposure to the elements.

How much will it cost to wrap the vehicle? What exactly is the procedure involved? Let’s take a look at the standard costs for wrapping a car and then go over the different alternatives currently available.

Wrapping A Car: An Overview

In many ways wrapping a car appears to be a fairly simple task. But in reality, it’s an undertaking that requires perseverance and skill to complete properly. Let’s look at the steps of wrapping the vehicle.

There are a few crucial questions that should be addressed by both the owner of the vehicle and the professional applying the wrap.

  • What’s the model and make of the vehicle? The complexity of the design directly impacts the amount of duration needed to wrap a car and, consequently, the cost.
  • Does the car come with any body kits? Cars with custom body kits often enhance the complexity of the wrap due to distinctive angles and curves that result from the aftermarket modifications.
  • What hue of vinyl do you prefer? Standard vinyl hues are available in three types of finishes: matte, gloss, or satin.
  • What areas of your car would you like to see covered? Maybe you want to have your vehicle wrapped from top to bottom to serve commercial reasons as a way to market your company. Maybe you’re not looking to have your whole vehicle wrapped, but simply install a carbon-fiber hood and Red brake calipers. Every option and method will cost differently based on these elements.

A thorough examination, along with preparation of your vehicle prior to the application of the wrap, is vital to check for damage to the original paint. The wrap will not adhere properly to the damaged area, which makes it challenging and often impossible to complete a clean and proper installation. The surface must be in good condition to allow the wrap to be able to hold and fit the vehicle effectively. A car must also go through thorough cleaning to get rid of dirt, dust, or grime prior to applying the vinyl wrap.

Tools For Vinyl Wraps

Apart from purchasing the vinyl you want for your car, putting the wrap on your vehicle requires the use of many different tools:

  • Squeegee
  • Flextreme (a micro-squeegee specially designed for use with vinyl)
  • Heat gun
  • Surface Cleaner
  • Microfiber Cloth
  • Cutting Tape
  • Blade
  • Tweezers
  • Snitty blade (a cutting blade for safety on vinyl)
  • Tape Measure
  • Masking Tape
  • Gloves
  • Spray Bottle
  • Clay Bar

With a careful plan, a team of professional car wrappers is able to apply a vinyl wrap to an automobile body within three to seven working days. Of course, it all is dependent on the complexity of the design and bodywork i.e., the multi-colored car parts, stripes, and so on.

Most car wraps will be able to with stand the elements for about 3 to five years. However, in order to keep your wrap in the most optimal condition, it is essential to adhere to a few steps.

The first step is to stay clear of automated or drive-thru vehicle washes. The hard, sharp brushes used that are used in these establishments can significantly harm the vinyl. This means that you should wash your car by hand whenever you need to clean it. If you do decide to utilize a jet washer for your car that is wrapped, make sure that you keep the jet washer away from the vinyl’s surface so that the pressure from the water won’t cause harm to the vinyl.

Other suggestions for car wraps from experts include:

  • Clean dead insects from the surface of the vinyl as quickly as is possible. These compounds could cause damage to vinyl in the event that they are left untreated for a prolonged time.
  • Beware of prolonged exposure to the sun’s heat because the heat and sun could cause the vinyl to warp in the absence of protection from the elements.
  • Whatever you do, don’t ever apply a car wrap on damaged paint. It’s an easy way to ruin your car.

How Much Does It Cost To Wrap A Car

The majority of the costs associated with wrapping your car professionally result from the labor-intensive method of wrapping. The following estimates of cost are applicable to the simplest and most basic wraps. For instance, the Tesla is actually one of the most simple automobiles to wrap due to its flat, smooth, and basic exterior design. As you add more features, such as special vinyl, custom designs, or wheel wrapping, cost increases.

Here are the typical base costs for hiring a professional to apply a cover to your car.

  • Small car or couple: The prices vary based on the model but will begin at around $2,000.
  • Family car: The average family car would cost you around $3000.
  • Compact crossover: The majority of compact crossovers are priced around $3500.
  • Full-sized SUV: An SUV of this size is expected to begin at around $4,000.
  • Luxury sports automobile: Starting at about $5,000, luxury cars could reach $ 10,000 or more. For instance, the cost of a Ferrari wrap could cost about $7,000 for the owner, according to experts.

DIY Option

It is important to start this section with a reminder that we highly recommend having your vehicle wrapped up by professionals who have the experience and know how to do the process correctly. We have explained in this article putting on wrapping can be difficult and time consuming. This is why you’re ideal to have the task completed by a professional to avoid any hiccups or devastating application errors.

If, however, you believe you have the expertise and know-how in the field to tackle the job yourself, there are fewer expenses associated with the procedure as opposed to professionals who install it.

The cost of rolls of 3M’s 2080 Series standard Gloss Black vinyl wrap range between $36 for a square foot to around 420 square feet for 200 square feet.

The average car needs about 250 sq ft of vinyl in order to wrap its entire area. This is why the typical DIY car wrap costs between $500 and $700 in vinyl prices. The cost will differ based on the brand of vinyl as well as the vinyl retailer as well as the design and color of the wrapping.

Summary

If you’re employing a professional service or opting for the DIY option wrapping your car is laborious. If you are planning to give your car to an expert which we highly recommend, it is likely that you will spend a minimum of $2,000 on an auto wrap. DIY options are also available. The DIY option is cost effective, but it has some drawbacks and possible complications.

If you’re looking to wrap your vehicle in the near future, we hope that we have provided you with some general advice that can help you choose the best method for your budget and get your desired outcomes.