Wrap your car instead of painting it?

[Brotok]

As evidenced by my ongoing post about painting my own car, I am currently considering doing some body work. Recently I came across the concept of wrapping a car. Apparently it is a fraction of the cost of painting a vehicle and the results are comparable in almost every way. What does everyone here think of wrapping a vehicle as an alternative to painting it? If its good enough for a half million dollar car below maybe it'll work for my sc. What are your thoughts on the matte finish?

[rnln]

what kind of cost?
Is it DIY able? and still look good?
Sure it's not shiny as paint. Sure the underneath paint will be bad after a while.
If it doesn't cost much, no hurt to try. Let us know the result

[Brotok]

From my limited understanding, the cost of the job such as in the photo is about $2,500, it is not a DIY job, and the paint underneath is unharmed.

[EarlyPorsche]

If you could get the material it would be a DIY job. Where do they get that from?

Side Note: Like hell that kid and his torch would be getting even close to my CGT!

[nameisbauer]

I have been considering the same thing. I think material cost would be high, because of the width you would need for Hood/roof etc. I think it could still be 1000$ but it would protect the paint also.
flat black looks cool, but you can get glossy colors too. It could be DIY, but would be a *****(less of a ***** than paint for sure.)

[oneblueyedog]

I think it will all depend on the skill of the person applying it and then the graphic design. When I used to make RC planes, we used Monokote heat shrink film. It took a lot of skill to surpass a painted model, but it could be done. Compound curves were the biggest hurdle. Hiding seams were next. I'd imagine that you increase the complexity 10 fold or more with a large object.

But it's cool enough for a go at it. I had heard that major manufacturers were exploring the heat shrink skin technology a few years ago when I worked for Hyundai.

[dad911]

You can buy the materials from a sign/graphics supply house. Beacon Graphics and Harbor Sales.

[rsrfan]

The materials to do Fred's car (the CGT in the Photo) was about $3500.00. Cost another grand to fly Boris out from Texas to San Fran to apply it. Full write up on Six Speed if you are interested.

JP

[TRE Cup]

There ya go... $4500 for a flat black finish- fun for Fred as he could never get a durable flat finish on a CGT for that kind of $$
However on the flip side;
we've seen a vw transporter that had it professionally removed- broken plastic trims items, paint lifted on some corners- it was not pretty.

If you work with a graphic design as part of the wrap, certainly cheaper than paint, but no where are deep looking or shiny

[the]

It's not a lot less than a paint job, and it doesn't last nearly as long or look nearly as good.

If you need graphics, that'd be the only reason for it.

[teenerted1]

so what happens when you tear it? duct tape for touch up

[bonkers]

Originally Posted by teenerted1

so what happens when you tear it? duct tape for touch up

And do you have to fly Boris out from Texas to apply said duct tape?

[runfaster]

I work for a marketing company and we wrap all kinds of vehicles for all kind of promotions. The cost is going to run you about $3-5,000 and the results very depending on the experience of the graphics company doing the job. You can try to do it yourself, but you will be upset at your results.

Getting the bubbles out and working it around mirrors and other tight area's is where you will run into problems, because those area's usually hand cut rather than being printed out like the larger sections that are skinned on.

We had some cars wrapped that sat out in our lot for about 4 years when the company decided to sell them for pennies. My buddy bought one and when the company had the wrap taken off, the paint finish was in perfect shape. I mean like new.

Cheers,
Craig

[kilodawg]

I hope this isn't what getting old is like, but the whole concept of a flat/satin black wrap on that CGT is simply beyond me. It looks stealthy and interesting for a bit but it's a car not a weapons platform....Place one next to it painted in Mexico Blue and we'll see just how many people over 30 even notice the wrap job.

I read the entire thread on 6speed and frequently look that forum over for the fun of it.

I think that posters to that forum uses the word "sick" more than even most medical sites do....

Anyway. In regards to the flat/satin black look. Let's see I read that it can't be waxed, is difficult to keep clean and basically looks like the car was painted in black pirimer. Hey to each his own but I say "sick" too, however in the old school context.

Get your car painted and enjoy the bliss of a glossy, highly reflective finish.

[porsche930dude]

cammo wrap seems cheap enough. Question is if you neck is red enough
http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=515998

[Canada Kev]

That wrap is NOT a DIY job. Well, not if you want it to look half way decent. Try it with a piece of packing tape three feet long. Try and apply it over a compound curve like your windshield or a fender flare and have it lay down nice and smooth with no wrinkles. See? Not easy, huh. Now think about that with pieces much bigger. It does protect the paint though. there should be no damage to a good paint job when it is removed.

Years ago, I used to apply this stuff to buses and tractor trailers. Compound curves are a killer. Even with the glossy film, it will never be mistaken for paint. But if you want a 10 foot picture of this month's centerfold, your favorite presidential candidate or fido/fluffy/rover on your car, fill your boots.

-kevin

[ruf-porsche]

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