The use of car wraps has soared during the past few years because they provide both attractive customization and reliable protection. You can protect your car against damage while giving it a brand new appearance that will surely draw attention. Your day won’t be ruined by chips or scratches anymore; all you’ll have is a modern, personalized vehicle that’s ready to take on long rides anywhere.
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How Much Does It Cost To Wrap A Car?
Covering your car with a wrap is an appealing alternative for many people. However, the main question arises; How much does it cost to wrap a car? While multiple factors can come into consideration, it is critical to remember that you must bear in mind the type of your car, as well as the wrap materials you plan to use.
What Is Wrapping a Car?
Wrapping a car provides the same effect as repainting it, but it is a less expensive approach. A wrap is a vinyl decal that can be applied over the top of painted areas of the car. In addition to protecting your car’s original paint job, the vinyl wrap can be customized to give it a whole different and unique look.
The vinyl wrap is a kind of sticker that sticks to your car. This vinyl can be brought in rolls or in pieces meant to be custom fit to the components of the vehicle and can be applied by experts or by the car owner themselves.
Different Types of Wraps
Although you can cover your car in a clear wrap for protecting its paint, most people opt for an opaque wrap for changing the color and decorating it, either partially or entirely.
Following are some of the various textures in which these wraps are available:
- Gloss: It is the most common vinyl finish and gives the car a subtle sheen.
- Matte: This is the most cost-effective vinyl finish and offers a unique appearance without adding too much shine.
- Satin: Satin wraps have a subtle sheen and a smooth, refined appearance.
- Metallic: This is a shiny vinyl finish that makes your car gleam when light falls on it.
- Carbon Fiber: It is a textured, somewhat shiny wrap that resembles carbon fiber.
How Is a Wrap Done?
Along with knowing how much does it cost to wrap a car, it’s important to know how it’s done. Before your car can be wrapped, the paint surface must be as clean and smooth as possible. The process might require many days and often starts with a full wash and detailing, which may involve power washing. This will aid in the adhesion of the vinyl decals.
Once the car has been cleaned, any headlights, taillights, and bumper covers are removed for wrapping the vinyl around the edges and into the curves of the car. This helps in a smooth and easy application.
Then, precise measurements are collected of the car, and the vinyl is fitted to the specifications of your make and model. Using a heat gun and a specific solvent, the material is heated, stretched, and applied to the surface slowly. You can also apply multiple layers if needed for complex designs.
The final stages involve checking for any wrinkles or air bubbles and smoothing out the wrap.
Calculating the Average Costs
Car wraps are made of durable vinyl with added PVC for strength. The cost can range from $5 to $15 per square foot, with installation costing $3 to $4 per square foot. The most expensive option for wrapping a car comes to roughly $19 per square foot.
This pricing does not include the type of wrap you will need to use. The quality or type of material will be decided by the style and curve of the vehicle, as well as your personal preferences.
How much does it cost to have a wrap put on a car?
The cost of a car wrap varies depending on the type and model of the vehicle as well.
Below is the usual basic cost for having a professional wrap your automobile.
- Compact car or coupe: Starting from $2000.
- Family sedan: Around $3,000.
- Compact crossover: Almost $3,500.
- SUV (full-size): Starting from $4000.
- Commercial vehicles (vans): Around $3000 to $5000.
- Truck: Starting from $4000.
- Jeep: Almost $3000 to $4500.
- Luxury car: Starting from $5000 to $10,000.
Pricing and Things to Consider When Wrapping Your Vehicle
Wrapping a car appears to be a rather simple task in many respects. In truth, it is work that demands time as well as competence to complete successfully. There are certain critical points that both the car owner and the wrap applier must know before applying the wrap.
These are as follows:
Model of the Car
- If you are looking for the accurate answer to how much does it cost to wrap a car then you need to know the model of your car. The complexity of the design and its size strongly determine the time required to wrap a car, adjusting the cost consequently. For instance, luxury cars require more attention whereas simple compact cars have simple bodies, on which the wrap can be applied easily.
Parts to be Wrapped
- If you simply want to wrap a specific part of your car, you can just measure the square footage of that area to get a good idea of how much you’ll be paying.
- Maybe you’d want to have the vehicle wrapped from top to bottom for advertisement or a business car.
- Possibly you don’t want your complete car to be wrapped, but instead just want to add a shiny hood or blue brake calipers. Based on these possibilities and preferences, the cost of each alternative and strategy would be different.
Condition of the Car
- The state of your vehicle will have an impact on the performance and effectiveness of the wrap. It will also determine the answer to how much does it cost to wrap a car? Any dents, scratches, or scrapings will stand out exactly as they would if you painted over them without first mending them. Corrosion or damaged paint can also prevent the vinyl from adhering correctly.
- Some experts even refuse to apply the wrap, or simply demand more costs and do not guarantee their work in case the paint of your car is flaking or has noticeable oxidation or rust.
- Additional labor, such as removing the headlights, taillights, and bumpers, or smoothing out any bumps, is necessary to apply the wrap and increases the costs accordingly.
Finish of the vinyl
- There are several finishes available for automobile covers. Thus, the prices of each type are different as well.
- For instance, gloss finish vinyl can cost $3.40 per square foot and $59.99 for 25 square feet roll.
- The pricing of a matte finish is $9.88 for 5 square feet and $299.99 for a full 50 square feet car wrap roll.
- Metallic finishes range in price from $11.99 for 5 square feet to $191.36 for a complete 250 square feet roll.
- Meanwhile, satin finishes cost $17.99 for 5 square feet and $296.15 for a full roll of 125 square feet.
- Prices for the carbon finish vinyl can range from $12.99 for 5 square feet to $249 for a complete vehicle wrap roll of 250 square feet.
Quotes by the Professional
- The cost of a professional car wrap may vary depending on the size of the vehicle, the complexity of your chosen design, and the amount of labor necessary for the model of the car you’re planning to cover.
- Estimates as low as $2,000 for a modest two-door compact vehicle are relatively usual, with costs rising too far over $10,000 for a luxury and sports car.
- The first thing to follow when having a professional wrap your vehicle is to hire a reputed specialist. It is possible to wrap your car by yourself, and there are several tutorials available online to learn how to do it, however, you should expect an uneven finish or air bubbles if it’s your first or second try.
FAQs
Is it cheaper to get a car painted or wrapped?
However, if you want a higher quality paint with multiple coats, the cost will be more than wrapping the vehicle.
How much does it cost to wrap a car yourself?
Is wrapping a car worth it?
Conclusion
We hope that by now you have your answer to the question of how much does it cost to wrap a car. Take all the mentioned things into consideration before you get a quote from the professional.