How Much Car Wrap Costs – Guide & Tricks

What Is a Car Wrap?

Car wraps are typically a vinyl material applied onto the original surface of the car and last around 5 years. Wraps are easily removable and will not create damage to the surface. So, if you ever want your old color back, you can simply remove the wrap with no harm done to your car. Wrapping your car allows for a change in pace if you are tired of the same boring color you have had on your car for years. It is also a good way to create an advertisement on wheels for your company or business. There are different types of wraps that you can apply to your vehicle. You can fully wrap it or partially wrap it depending on your preference. You can also choose different styles of vinyl to give you a look that you like best. You can even choose different qualities of vinyl depending on your price point.

Average Cost to Wrap a Car in 2021 – Vehicle Wrap Pricing Guide

So how much does it cost to wrap a car? The average cost to wrap a car falls between $150 and $6,500. Car wrap cost depends on the following contributing factors.

• Full or partial car wrap: Car wrap prices are also going to change depending on whether you want your entire car wrapped or if you want it only partially wrapped. Getting your car fully wrapped includes all externally visible parts of your vehicle, while a partial wrap job will cover smaller areas.
• Condition of surface: If the surface of your car is in good shape, your cost will be lower than if your car has some scratches or dents. It is more difficult to apply wrapping if your car is not in perfect condition.
• Vehicle’s model and make: Obviously, the bigger your car is, the more expensive the job will be. Also, different car models have unique curvatures. If you have a car that many curves and edges, the wrapping needs to be more precisely applied, which will ultimately increase the price.
• Customized design: If you choose to have a custom wrap applied to your car, make sure you know that it comes with its own price tag. Fancy designs, patterns, or logos are going to be created specifically for you, making your cost higher than if you were wrapping your car in a solid color.
• Location: The state where you wrap your car also influences the cost. California will have one of the highest prices because of the cost of labor and living whereas a state with a lower cost of labor and living will be more affordable.

Wrapping Process

While most people are aware of automotive vinyl, they don’t necessarily know how to vinyl wrap a car. The first step in the wrapping process is to determine which company you want to supply the car wrap material and then deciding on the car wrap color. After this, the car needs to be free of dents and scratches, as they will show through the wrap. Then, the mirrors and moldings are removed, and the vinyl is stuck on and stretched out. These steps are important, failing to do this correctly could result in air bubbles and kinks in the wrap that cause it to look subpar. Professionals use heat to stretch out the vinyl to how they want it, but it takes practice to not burn or damage the vinyl. This is done using a squeegee and a heat source. After that, the edges are cut off with a blade and the seams are adjusted to produce a clean aesthetic. All of this work contributes to the auto wrapping cost. While there is not a large difference between car wrap cost and paint on the low end, to get a multi-coat non-factory paint job will be more expensive than a high-quality vehicle wrap cost.

Factors That Defines Type of Wrapping

There are many different types of wraps for cars, all suited to fit your personalized style. Whether you are a traditionalist or want your car to stand out in a crowd, you will be able to tailor your car wrap to fit your needs. Here are some of the most popular types of wraps.

• Glossy: This is the most classic look, and it looks the most like a regular paint job. Glossy wraps are available in almost any color option.
• Satin: Satin is in between glossy and matte. There will be a slight reflection, but it will not be as clear as a glossy finish, and definitely not as dull as a matte wrap.
• Matte: A car with a matte wrapping will have almost no reflection. This type of finish will give your car a cool, sleek design.
• Custom print: This type of wrap gives you the ability to use your creative side. You can be the designer of your own car. Some examples of a custom print wrap include wood grain or camouflage.

DIY or Professional Work: What to Choose?

If you don’t want to take it to a shop, the first question is how much does it cost to wrap a car yourself? The first thing to analyze is vehicle wrap cost.

For an economical matte wrap, almost 500 sq ft will only cost $350, but the price increases with quality, and the same amount of pristine vinyl can cost near $4,000. The tools needed for installation are a squeegee with felt tip, which you can pick up for $15, as well as generic gloves which average about $6 in price. A magnet will also be needed, it can be found for anywhere between $8 and $30, Also a tack reducer car wrap costs around $34 and edge cutting tape is commonly $45.

So all in how much is to wrap a car? If you forego paying for labor and use base-level materials, you could potentially be able to wrap your car for under $500. This is also dependent on the size of your vehicle; the more surface area your car has, the more material you will need to purchase.

Pros of a Car Wrap Instead of a Paint Job

There are many advantages to choosing to vinyl wrap instead of repainting a car. The most appealing is the price; compared to high-quality paint jobs, full vehicle wraps are significantly less costly. Vinyl is also removable, which can allow you to change the look of your car more often. It protects the paint underneath it too. This means that if you decide to sell your car, the original paint should be near perfect condition which can mean more money in your pocket at the time of sale.

With a large variety of choices, in both color and finishes, there are many more options in aesthetic compared to paint. Whether you are looking for a matte, carbon fiber, or even leather, it can be done with vinyl. If you want to take it a step further, you can create a custom look utilizing digital designing, an option that paint doesn’t have. One more advantage of vinyl wrapping is minimal downtime. While the entire painting process can sometimes take weeks from prep to finish, vinyl wraps are a relatively quick and easy process. If you are worried about not having access to anybody who can wrap your vehicle, there is a good chance that there are plenty of businesses that offer car wraps nearby. They are not a rarity today, and as the popularity grows, so will providers.

Conclusion

Car wraps are a quick, affordable way to turn your current vehicle into your dream car. Car wraps have a variety of options and styles that you can choose from so you can create the best option for you. No matter what you choose, or how you decide to apply it, wrapping your car is a great solution to fix your car needs.