Car Wrap vs Paint: Time, Costs, and Durability Explained

If you want to learn more, please visit our website PARMOR.

Choosing the best way to paint or decorate your car can be tricky! While painting is a more traditional option, vinyl wrapping has become increasingly popular in recent years. So let&#;s dive in and discuss the benefits and drawbacks of both and look at which one will ultimately provide you with better results for your vehicle. Find out how wrapping and painting compare today!

If you've been thinking about changing the color of your car, you're probably wondering whether to wrap it or paint it. Each option has pros and cons, and the best choice for you will depend on your circumstances. Here's a closer look at wrapping vs painting a car so you can decide which is the right option for you.

What is Vinyl Wrap?

Car wrapping is a popular option these days, and there are several reasons why. For one thing, it's much less expensive than painting and can be done in a fraction of the time. Plus, you can always change the wrap if you get tired of the color or want to try something new. On the downside, wraps don't last forever, and they can be damaged by scratches, UV rays, , and other wear and tear.

Is It Better to Wrap or Paint a Car?

Painting a car is still the traditional way to change its color, and there are some advantages to this method as well. First of all, paint will last longer than a wrap, so if you want a permanent change, painting is the way to go. Car painting also gives you more color options than wrapping does. On the downside, vehicle painting is more expensive than wrapping and takes longer. Whichever you choose, make sure it is the right choice for you based on your want, needs, and habits.

Car Wrapping

Car wrapping is the process of covering a car with an adhesive vinyl film. The film can be printed with any design, including logos, images, and text. Car wrapping differs from painting a car because you can remove the vinyl film without damaging the paint underneath.

Car Painting

Car painting is the process of applying a new paint job to a vehicle. This can be done for cosmetic or protection purposes, or both. When done correctly, car painting can make a dramatic difference in the look of a vehicle. It can also help to protect the vehicle's body from weather and other elements. Several steps are involved in car painting, including sanding, priming, and painting. The process can be time-consuming and expensive, but the results are often worth it.

Pros and Cons of Car Wraps

Regarding car customization, there are a few different options available. You can paint your car, wrap it, or do a combination of both. But which is the best option?

There are a few different factors to consider when making this decision. The first is the cost. While painting a car can be expensive, wrapping a car is typically cheaper. The second factor is the time commitment. Painting a car takes a lot longer than wrapping one. And finally, there&#;s the matter of personal preference. Some people simply prefer the look of a painted car over a wrapped one.

Let&#;s take a closer look at each of these factors:

• Cost:  As mentioned above, painting a car can be expensive. You have to pay for the paint job itself, as well as any other necessary materials like primer and paint remover. But how much does wrapping a car cost? Wrapping a car is usually cheaper. The material is less expensive than paint, and you won&#;t need any other supplies besides the wrap. Overall, car wrap cost vs paint costs seems to be more in favor of the wrap.
• Time Commitment: Painting a car takes quite a bit of time &#; you have to prep the vehicle, apply the paint, and then let it dry completely before driving it again. Wrapping a car is much quicker; you can usually complete the entire process in one day.
• Personal Preference: This is probably the most important factor to consider. Some people simply prefer the look of paint over wraps, or vice versa.
• Value: One of the best reasons to consider wrapping your car is because it can increase the overall value of your vehicle. Since the wrap protects the paint without causing damage, it can actually lead to an increased residual value of your vehicle compared to other vehicles that are the same make, model, and year. 
   

Pros and Cons of Car Painting

When customizing your car, you have a few different options. You can paint it, wrap it, or even chrome it. But which is the best option? Let's take a look at the pros and cons of painting your car:

• Pros: It can be done relatively cheaply and easily. You can also get very creative with painting, and there are no limits to what you can do.
• Cons: Paint can chip and fade over time, especially if it's not properly maintained. It's also not as durable as other options like wrapping or chrome.
   

Cost Comparison Between Car Wrap vs Paint

How much is a car wrap job and a car paint job? When it comes to choosing between wrapping a car and painting it, the cost is an important factor to consider. On average, wrapping a car will cost you about $2,000. On the other hand, painting a car will cost you about $3,500. So, if you're looking to save money, then wrapping your car is the way to go.

How to Choose Which Technique Is Best for You

Choosing the right paint job for your car can be a tough decision. There are many things to consider, such as cost, durability, and appearance. But what if you're considering a new paint job and you're stuck between wrapping your car or painting it? Here's a quick guide to help you choose which technique is best for you.

• Cost: Car wraps are typically more expensive than paint jobs. But keep in mind that a wrap will last much longer than a paint job- up to 7 years! When you compare the cost per year, a wrap is actually cheaper in the long run.
• Durability: A car wrap is much more durable than paint. It's resistant to chips, scratches, and fading. And if it does get damaged, it's much easier (and less expensive) to repair than paint.
• Appearance: This is really up to personal preference. Some people prefer the look of a glossy car wrap, while others prefer the classic look of painted cars. Whichever look you prefer, make sure to find a reputable company that can do an amazing job.
   

Wrapping a car and painting it are two of the most popular methods for giving your vehicle a new look. Wrapping is usually better for those looking to change their car's exterior for aesthetic purposes, whereas painting can provide longer-lasting protection from the elements. Ultimately, it is up to you as the car owner to decide which option would be best based on your budget and desired results, and if you are looking into getting a new car to paint or wrap, GoodCar can help!

In many cases, a vinyl vehicle wrap is less expensive than paint

We get calls everyday where customers are under the impression that a vinyl vehicle wrap is cheaper than paint, and it is, but it&#;s also not. The cost of wrapping as well as paint, can vary greatly from shop to shop. The costs rely on experience of installers, type of materials used and most importantly, quality of work. Wraps are not for every situation and you have to also keep in mind that paint, is permanent!

Have you ever wondered how much a good quality paint job costs? We&#;re talking about a GOOD quality paint job. We've seen the going rate for a nice quality refinish ranging anywhere between $12K-$20K on most cars!

Are you interested in learning more about Grey Blue Car Wrap? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!

Of course though, there are lots of &#;cheap&#; paint shops which specialize in fast in-and-out style paint for vehicles and you can likely repaint your whole car for under a few thousand dollars.

Quality matters, a lot, when it comes to paint

A more common cost to repaint the average vehicle in the Bay Area can run between $4,000-$9,000 for what could be considered a "decent" paint job by many. But remember, paint is permanent! A permanent $4,000 paint job really isn&#;t going to be that great of quality. 

These middle range paint jobs will lack the additional prep work required for optimal durability and aftermarket paint is never as durable as factory paint. Aftermarket paint usually starts to fail within 5 years, and when it does happen, you can't just peel it off like you could with a vinyl wrap, the whole car will need to be sanded down again and re-coated.

How do car wraps compare to paint?

Vinyl wraps allow anyone to change the color of their vehicle without committing to a permanent change. You can get exotic colors and specialty finishes that are difficult to achieve with paint, for literally a fraction of the cost of a good paint job. 

The average price of a full coverage external color wrap is between $4,000-$5,000 for most vehicles and most finishes. If you're looking for in-depth information, check out our color change wrap pricing guide. The turn around time for a full wrap is only about 4 to 6 business days from the time you drop your car off, to when you pick it up from our shop! 

Compare that to a paint shop which could have your vehicle in the shop from an average of 3-5 weeks, sometimes extending to several months!

When does a vehicle wrap make sense?

If your vehicles paint is in great condition and the car is 5 or less years old, a wrap is an excellent choice to temporarily change the color of your vehicle. If you have a limited edition paint color, but aren&#;t feeling it anymore, a wrap allows you to change your vehicle&#;s exterior without compromising your exclusive OEM paint color. 

This isn&#;t to say that wraps can&#;t be a long-term customization option, many of our customers plan on leaving their vehicle's wrap on permanently. When properly cared for, wraps can last more than 10 years. They aren&#;t purely aesthetic either, the vehicle wraps can protect your car&#;s paint surface as well. Your wrap will bear the brunt of sun damage, light scratches, bird droppings and other environmental and natural elements which normally hurt your paint.

Over the years, we have wrapped many restored hot rods and classics. Instead of committing to a $20,000 paint job, many owners opted to wrap their restoration projects first. As long as the vehicles body is placed into a &#;paint ready&#; state where the primer coat has been applied and the surface is smooth, we can wrap the car and give the customer that completed look they have been wanting, all while providing them another decade to save up for their actual paint.

When does paint make sense?

Car wraps aren&#;t for everyone though. There are certain situations where you&#;ll get more value out of a cheaper paint job than a wrap. A paint job that is failing or has imperfections is not a candidate for a vinyl wrap. Your vehicles paint should be in good condition and free of any peeling, rust, major paint chips and any other paint imperfections that can be felt by running the palm of your hand across the surface. 

The vehicles body should be in a &#;paint ready&#; state meaning any body work issues have been resolved, sealed and smoothed out. If your paint has imperfections, it may not be possible to wrap your car. If we did wrap a car with paint issues, all the imperfections would show through the new install and also likely cause failure of the film. We are unable to properly warranty car wrap installs on vehicles with paint issues or poor aftermarket paint.

But what if I just want a quick fix for unsightly paint?

There are also times where customers may not care about perfection or a warranty due to the circumstances. A very common occurrence these days is to have paint failure on the most exposed areas of the vehicle, such as a hood, roof or trunk&#; typically on vehicles that are around 10+ years old. 

After obtaining quotes from various body shops, the impression people get is that a vinyl wrap would be a simple solution to their problem. A roof or hood could cost around $300 to wrap, which is often only 1/4 the cost to have a body shop strip and repaint the same area. This often leaves customers unable to justify the expense of paint on a car with a couple hundred thousand miles on the odometer, and a resale value of several thousand dollars. 

The problem here, aside from the fact that you&#;ll still need to pay someone a few hundred dollars to sand your paint smooth first, is a vinyl wrap may only last 1.5 to 3 years on the most exposed areas (anything horizontal such as hoods, roofs and trunks). 

This means you&#;ll be spending anywhere between $500 to $800 on just a roof or hood, to have someone sand down most of your flaking paint and to have a shop wrap that area with something that will only give you another 2-3 years maximum.

You&#;ll need to consider all these options make sense for your situation, including a cheaper paint job.

How long does it take to wrap a car vs. paint a car?

Based on our past interactions with customers and body shops, painting a car typically requires you to leave your vehicle at the body shop for 4-6 weeks but can at times take months! That&#;s a lot of time if you&#;re planning to paint your daily driver. In contrast, the whole wrap process takes on average 4-6 business days. If this is your only vehicle and you would need to rent a car while your vehicle is in the shop, the costs would be significantly cheaper to wrap your car in almost every way.

&#;

Contact us to discuss your requirements of Khaki Green Car Wrap. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.