Paint vs. Wrap - for those that are curious

[Cornbreadx]

It's been a while since I posted anything here, mainly because I have been busy. A year ago I saw a thread on here where someone was asking about getting a wrap done on their 1st gen. I had always been planning to go this route, but there were a number of individuals that didn't know what you could expect, much less... a google search turning up nothing much.

So now that I got my 1st gen wrapped and done, I figured I would post a few pics so you can see how a quality wrap job can look as good as paint in most cases...

There are some limitations to a wrap though that I should warn you about:

1) There will always be issues with stretching the wrap around certain curves. While this can be overcome in most cases, there will always be that one area that doesn't look quite right. If you are a perfectionist, this could bother you. For me... and that my car is more a daily driver / looks great at a show - it's more than good for my needs at this time

2) If you go with two tones or different color wraps, you may see seems. This is hard to avoid. Having said that, white is a pain in the nuts!! Since white is printed on a gray media, you will see gray lines where there are splices in the wrap.

3) Your car needs to be finished to the point of having sealer at a minimum. Yes, you can wrap over body filler, but most places won't bother cause the wrap will tend to have issues sticking to the body filler. Thus, you will want to get it sealed and sanded to a smooth finish. Any blemish will show on the wrap just as any paint would also show a blemish.

There are very good pros though that outweigh the cons:

1) It's cheap! I have been quoted between 6k and 10k for a paint job on my 1st gen. Add pearl and the price goes way up! It's all the prep work that costs the money as the materials only cost about 1500 give or take. That being said, a wrap can run you 1500-3k total.

2) Any color combo! If you can dream of it, there is likely a combo or color to match - or printed design that you can add on. Wraps are only limited to what colors are available and what finishes those colors are in. Paint has more options, but you can pretty much get what you want in a wrap in terms of the main stream color options typically found on a car.

3) Protection - wraps will cover up paint without harming the paint. Plus, it adds a protective layer to the paint preserving it. Wraps are typically guaranteed for 5 years or more from UV protection. You don't have to be afraid to place a socket on the fender because wraps have some scratch resistance. Additionally, they are easy to clean! Just soap and water. No need to polish or wax. If you do get a small scratch, a little heat and some polish can clean it right up so long as the wrap itself wasn't compromised.

Anyways... a few perspectives to consider if you are interested in going this route. Here are some pics of my first gen with the wrap on it. It's a head turner for sure... and the pearl white really draws people comment and take pictures. Hope this helps with having more information so you can decide spending for a paint job or possibly going the way of a wrap.

127806127807127808127809

[slimjim]

nice write-up and the car looks great, how does it hold up to stone chips?

[Cornbreadx]

So far no issue. I have yet to see a scratch or ding. Mind you I avoid dirt roads and such, but so far it seems to be holding up quite well!

[csouth]

Very nice! I'm definitely considering a wrap, this makes the argument stronger...

[analyte]

Nice write-up, but I so want to mention your price quote for paint materials is on the low side. Nowadays, $1500 won't get you much at all. I had over $3700 in sprayable paint materials only when I painted my car.

No argument from me, I just wanted to offer another perspective. Good or bad beyond your review.

Kerry

[Reckn8]

Our F-85 and the Blazer we are doing are both wrapped. The F-85 will be on the PWR Tour if you want to see it.

[sheck44]

Wrapped ... and couldn't be happier
BUT, its ALL about the install, you have to get someone damn good if you want a good job

Btw .. cornbread, love your black/white theme :cool:

Cheers
Steve

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2016/06/IMG_5169_zpsuxittqov-1.jpg (http://s264.photobucket.com/user/SCOBRA48/media/TECHART%20987S/IMG_5169_zpsuxittqov.jpg.html)

[Mach1_Ron]

127850 127851 127852

I had my Hood Spray Wrapped... The same 5 year type life and it will peel off if/when needed.....

[SD67]

I appreciate you putting this thread together. I am going to spend the going rate of 15k for a decent paint job here in SoCal but am considering adding wrapped stripes. Just am not sure if I will get tired of the stripes and pattern and want to change it later. Anyone do this? Do you have to cut the stripes on the car? Razor lines on a new paint job is probably not a good idea.

[jlcustomz]

I have seen some pretty cool wrap jobs in person, such as brushed metal, a plus against paint. Even chrome wrap on bumpers can look pretty good if you don't look too close at tones
Colors such as red (some of my work truck lettering) fade in the sun, but until they crack, can be cleaned back up to shiny just like single stage paint. Probably twice as old as the 5 yr average warranty & most still decent in daily fla sun.

In the paint vs wrap argument for a DIY person, you can get great paint , such as SPI for a more reasonable cost & could get your own wrap for a bit less. But the average skilled diy person like myself may struggle more with wrap than bodywork & paint, making paint more attractive for us.
Lastly we don't even need to mention the term paint jail. I doubt any wrap specialist would have a car for more than 2 days.

[vintageracer]

Lastly we don't even need to mention the term paint jail. I doubt any wrap specialist would have a car for more than 2 days.


AVOIDING "Paint Jail" ALONE is a GREAT REASON not to paint a car these days!

As a "segment" the paint and body guys have ruined the Hot Rod/Restoration hobby for lot's of folks out there.

Not doing what the paint and body shop "Said" they would do in a timely manner, no respect for the client and the clients time schedule, continuously complaining about how much money they are losing doing your job that THEY agreed to do in the first damn place and being too damn worried about that next insurance job and that payday has caused many of "MY" high dollar friends to QUIT building cars and just go out and buy DONE cars to IMMEDIATELY enjoy or modify to meet their needs.

These days your a "Dollar Waiting On A Nickel" when you are STUCK in "Body Shop Jail"!!

A wrap will never replace a paint job at AMBR, SMOY or the Ridler awards type of show however just about NONE of us will ever build that caliber of car so why put up with the BS from paint and body guys???

MY next paint job will be a WRAP!!!!

[TheJDMan]

Bret had the 48 Hour Corvette wrapped and it appears to be holding up very well. Personally I'm sold on a wrap over paint.

[thumper877]

I appreciate you putting this thread together. I am going to spend the going rate of 15k for a decent paint job here in SoCal but am considering adding wrapped stripes. Just am not sure if I will get tired of the stripes and pattern and want to change it later. Anyone do this? Do you have to cut the stripes on the car? Razor lines on a new paint job is probably not a good idea. No u don't have to cut them with a razor knife. They make a pinstripe tape that has a metal wire in it. U put this down first where u want the stripe to be then u lay down a piece of vinyl that overlaps that pinstripe. Then u pull the wire from the pinstripe and it cuts the vinyl. Works pretty good.

[Mr Nick]

Our F-85 and the Blazer we are doing are both wrapped. The F-85 will be on the PWR Tour if you want to see it.

I do, are you doing the whole thing? I'll be at Oklahoma City, Wichita, and Kansas City.

OP - any pics of the door jambs and edges of the fenders/doors?

[SD67]

Thanks appreciate the info, seems like a good way to go

[chuckd71]

Vinyl for sure. I've never wrapped or painted anything myself and this was first shot at it. Not pro results but for a hundred bucks and a couple hours it's hard to beat. Used the knifeless tape mentioned above. Also got one of the doors done before running out of time and having to come back to GA.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2016/06/26690689511_366e40a202_c-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2016/06/26177302553_eb61e739ce_c-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2016/06/26134784263_ed5ea03163_c-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2016/06/26673733661_381fb104e9_c-1.jpg

[analyte]

Where are you DIY guys getting this stuff? If it's possible to get clear wrap, I'm interested in using it as a protective layer over my paint.

Thanks,
Kerry

[thumper877]

Where are you DIY guys getting this stuff? If it's possible to get clear wrap, I'm interested in using it as a protective layer over my paint.

Thanks,
Kerry search ppf on google

[analyte]

Where are you DIY guys getting this stuff? If it's possible to get clear wrap, I'm interested in using it as a protective layer over my paint.

Thanks,
Kerry search ppf on google

Thanks, but I was actually looking for a place that someone has done business with so they are legitimate. Too many fly by night shops anymore just to depend on Google.

[vintageracer]

https://www.fellers.com/

One of if not the largest wrap material suppliers to the trade that's out there.

[Cornbreadx]

edited.

[Cornbreadx]

I appreciate you putting this thread together. I am going to spend the going rate of 15k for a decent paint job here in SoCal but am considering adding wrapped stripes. Just am not sure if I will get tired of the stripes and pattern and want to change it later. Anyone do this? Do you have to cut the stripes on the car? Razor lines on a new paint job is probably not a good idea.


they don't cut the wrap on the car so you don't have to worry about that. At least a good reputable place will not. Plus, as you said, you can change out of it and no big deal. I caution though that UV will affect the paint exposed, but be protected under the wrap. Thus... you may have color difference when you remove the wrap. Depends how often and for how long your car is exposed day in and day out of course.

[Cornbreadx]

Nice write-up, but I so want to mention your price quote for paint materials is on the low side. Nowadays, $1500 won't get you much at all. I had over $3700 in sprayable paint materials only when I painted my car.

No argument from me, I just wanted to offer another perspective. Good or bad beyond your review.

Kerry

Thanks - yeah I realized I put up "starting prices" and that didn't include any body work what-so-ever. 15k is more what I was expecting and I was like... uh... NO. Granted I have the gear to do it all myself minus the booth, but I already have too many other projects going at once and couldn't afford the time to get past seal coating, especially if I had a run or some other issue as this would have been my first attempt at doing a car with pro paint.

[Cornbreadx]

Wrapped ... and couldn't be happier
BUT, its ALL about the install, you have to get someone damn good if you want a good job

Btw .. cornbread, love your black/white theme :cool:

Cheers
Steve

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2016/06/IMG_5169_zpsuxittqov-1.jpg (http://s264.photobucket.com/user/SCOBRA48/media/TECHART%20987S/IMG_5169_zpsuxittqov.jpg.html)

Hah... thanks. Yeah, unfortunately, you can't see the true colors with my phone camera. The white is actually irridescent pearl with Green and Red. It really fools people into believing it's paint vs. a wrap. I dig what you have going on with the Porsche :-)

[Cornbreadx]

I have seen some pretty cool wrap jobs in person, such as brushed metal, a plus against paint. Even chrome wrap on bumpers can look pretty good if you don't look too close at tones
Colors such as red (some of my work truck lettering) fade in the sun, but until they crack, can be cleaned back up to shiny just like single stage paint. Probably twice as old as the 5 yr average warranty & most still decent in daily fla sun.

In the paint vs wrap argument for a DIY person, you can get great paint , such as SPI for a more reasonable cost & could get your own wrap for a bit less. But the average skilled diy person like myself may struggle more with wrap than bodywork & paint, making paint more attractive for us.
Lastly we don't even need to mention the term paint jail. I doubt any wrap specialist would have a car for more than 2 days.

Oh yeah... I forgot to mention that!! Paint Jail!! The guy doing my wrap took about a week because he had other emergency projects hit, but otherwise, 2-3 days tops and you are outta there! Paint was minimally a month or more before I even got to see it again!

[Cornbreadx]

AVOIDING "Paint Jail" ALONE is a GREAT REASON not to paint a car these days!

As a "segment" the paint and body guys have ruined the Hot Rod/Restoration hobby for lot's of folks out there.

Not doing what the paint and body shop "Said" they would do in a timely manner, no respect for the client and the clients time schedule, continuously complaining about how much money they are losing doing your job that THEY agreed to do in the first damn place and being too damn worried about that next insurance job and that payday has caused many of "MY" high dollar friends to QUIT building cars and just go out and buy DONE cars to IMMEDIATELY enjoy or modify to meet their needs.

These days your a "Dollar Waiting On A Nickel" when you are STUCK in "Body Shop Jail"!!

A wrap will never replace a paint job at AMBR, SMOY or the Ridler awards type of show however just about NONE of us will ever build that caliber of car so why put up with the BS from paint and body guys???

MY next paint job will be a WRAP!!!!

This is what totally sold me on a wrap. I had a guy come out and do a visual of the car for body work and paint. He was bragging about his Blazer he was driving and all that. Anyways, he started throwing 20k + numbers (for floor and trunk pan replacement plus paint on the car) saying it would take up shop space and blah blah blah . I was like... "uh.... I can blow 14k and get a whole new unibody delivered dude.... you are HIGH!! And with a new body with zero imperfections, paint should be 6k tops for a solid color! " Then he got to bragging about his orange paint on his blazer... I have honestly never seen so much orange peel in a paint job - ironically that it was orange in color to boot! So I was like... "yeah... don't call me, I'll call you - peace dude!" and was glad he left thinking what a fool he must take me for!! I swear these body guys think that classic car owners are independently wealthy and can hike up the price whenever a pre 1980 model vehicle drops by for a quote. Honestly... it's not as if the internet doesn't "paint" a picture of the costs for the materials or anything. We know you are jacking up rates because you simply are not interested in doing the work vs. getting an insurance check for a fender bender. Long gone are the days of true restoration shops in my neck of the woods unfortunately. :-(

[analyte]

https://www.fellers.com/

One of if not the largest wrap material supplier to the trade that's out there.

Thanks Mike!!

[vintageracer]

The only real issue with a wrap is bodywork.

Just like a paint job you need good body work as bad bodywork will also show through a wrap. Not so much IF you have wild wrap artwork however still noticeable if you look for it.

[camarosaurusrex]

Did you have the door jabs wrapped?

[Mr Nick]

Did you have the door jabs wrapped?

Bump for this question. Anybody with wrapped cars that did a color change have door jamb and under-hood pictures?

[hunterr]

Hey that 's superb, the car looks great.

[FANTM58]

WOW I really never considered it,, but DANG I'm going to seriously look into it as a DIY project !!

[TheJDMan]

I have used product from Alsa Corp on a number of projects with very good results. They have both spray on and wraps. They have a lot of interesting colors and finishes.

http://alsacorp.com/

[andrewb70]

Interesting...

Andrew

[Ben@SpeedTech]

A couple more thoughts- We wrapped our C10, we first sprayed it black and then did the white in wrap for the Speedtech theme. If/when we sell it the new owner has the option of keeping it as is or going back to total black.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

We are hard on the C10 at events, and have creamed a few cones along the way. Our wrap has required a couple small repairs from nicks, it's durable but any surface can be scratched/ torn in a bad situation. By far repairing a wrap is easier, faster, and cheaper than paint, especially if it's got a special finish like metallic or pearl.

Ours is garaged when not in use. For those that will see sun often and only do a partial wrap the exposed paint will fade over time compared to the wrapped portion.

There are several decent wrap manufacturers now and there are really a lot of options. Overlaminate such as pearl or metallic allow any base wrap color to be transformed to a cool combo of both. Textures are also available- carbon fiber, brushed metal, alligator skin (!), etc. I've also seen a texture that looks an awful lot like a vinyl top if you've thought of adding that to your car.

Since the popularity of wrap is skyrocketing, there are a bunch of videos on the web that give pro tips and do's and don'ts for the DIY guy.

I want to do my Pumkinator wagon in wrap, as a designer I wouldn't be surprised if in a couple years I come up with a different design and I'll peel it off and start over. This design is a little crazy and would be nuts to mask for painting. I got some sample material and found with wrap I can simply cut the design on our vinyl plotter and stick it on. This makes it even easier for guys wanting to do stripes, you can have the sign shop create the design in the computer and then cut out the stripe and stick it on. I also couldn't find a powdercoat that matches the metallic orange wrap I'll be using so I'm going to wrap the wheel hoops too.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2016/03/Pumkinator20162082096_zpswf8nxmpx-1.jpg

[curleysracecars]

Just cruising the forum, so forgive me for bringing up an old thread. My younger brother has a wrapping business and I will admit I was always skeptical in the beginning as well. He really wanted to start doing it so he bought film and him and I did his car. It took us forever but turned out really well, with only a few imperfections.
The depth seen in some paint jobs is probably not quite attainable, but there are colors available that you will never find in the paint store. This includes things like brushed anodized aluminum, wood grain, alligator skin, etc. Overall, the stuff is really durable and will come off the car at any time if need be. It also can act as a buffer to your actual paint from slight scuffs from things like shopping carts and such.

Below are some pictures I grabbed off his IG page. He does nice work, and has gotten really good at laying the stuff done. Just thought Id pass it along in case people are on the fence about the stuff. Not everyone, no....but it definitely has its place in the industry.

13582913583013583113583213583313583413583513583613 5837135838135839

[srh3trinity]

I like that flat red cts-v and the first gen cts-v. Prices must have come down, or I have gotten used to paying shop rates. 3k doesn't seem too bad.

[another69]

I am seriously considering this, but to revisit an earlier question- what is typically done with door jambs, etc?

[redbull396]

I am seriously considering this, but to revisit an earlier question- what is typically done with door jambs, etc?

Same here! The above pic with the metallic grey is very close to the color I have chosen in paint. I KNOW that the guy that will be doing my body work and paint, will take forever and a day, so having him to the body work and then sending it to wrap might be the way I go.
As for the door jams, under hood, and under trunk, I'm thinking that having it sprayed black to match interior might not be a bad option. Still want to see some pics of those areas tho with vinyl on them.

[curleysracecars]

The vinyl can be installed in the jambs and other areas. My brother hasn't done complete jambs because he hasn't had a customer willing to pay to remove the doors/hinges. It's obviously more money because of material usage and time invested.

One important thing to remember is that bodywork is critical...Pretty much as critical as when painting a car. Some seem to think the wrap will hide stuff...and it won't.

[oleyeller]

Wraps are so cool, design possibilities are unlimited. But, here in Sunny Arizona, wrap vendors are a little shady about the life of the wrap. Hmmmm, I wanted to wrap the roof and hood of my new truck, cause my last one, faded and peeled early on in it's life, from constant exposure. So, when asked, about how long I can expect wrap to last in AZ, the answers are, wellllllll, we don't warranty the roof or the hood on a wrap job. Expect three years on exposed surfaces, and as long as it is removed before it deteriorates, your good. Oh, so how much to remove the wrap? Welllllll, that depends...... Early on, two or three hours labor, later on could take a really long time. Time and money are surely saved up front, but beware of the long term costs associated with wraps. Don't get me wrong, I love the idea, just don't want to have ideas every three years.

[another69]

For a vehicle mainly kept indoors, I imagine that it would last quite a bit longer than 3 years

[chuckd71]

Don't get me wrong, I love the idea, just don't want to have ideas every three years.

That's kind of the point though, people don't do it because they have to have ideas every few years, they do it because they get to have new ideas. The versatility is the benefit. Being in TN with my car garaged I don't see why it wouldn't last a while, at least as long as I need it to, but if I still lived in Phoenix I can't say I'd mess with it. Well, I'd wrap it myself but no way would I pay $$$$ to have it done. That money could go toward pool prep.

[camarodude87]

bump for any pointers on how you did the roof down to the quarter panel? I ordered some 3m fiery orange for my 69 camaro.

[anguilla1980]

My 69 Firebird has been prepped for paint but I have left it in dark grey/black primer because I will NEVER deal with another body shop ever again for a paint job, as some here already mentioned. Most if not 95% of them are lying, lazy, crooks!

Because of this I plan on doing a wrap. Good thread that makes a few very good points.

[wyattroa]

Vinyl for sure. I've never wrapped or painted anything myself and this was first shot at it. Not pro results but for a hundred bucks and a couple hours it's hard to beat. Used the knifeless tape mentioned above. Also got one of the doors done before running out of time and having to come back to GA.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2016/06/26690689511_366e40a202_c-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2016/06/26177302553_eb61e739ce_c-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2016/06/26134784263_ed5ea03163_c-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2016/06/26673733661_381fb104e9_c-1.jpg

That real carbon fiber hood and trunk?

[TheJDMan]

Not to change the subject, but you can also dip your car with Plasti-Dip for even less than wrap. Although I don't think the Plasti-Dip is quite as durable as a wrap.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7J6rRj98A5s

[camarodude87]

Yeah I was thinking of dipper my car hugger orange but adding a crap ton on clear so it looks half way decent.

[expensivehobby22]

Plasti-Dipping cars has come a really long way since it became a thing. Pretty impressive option for the price.

[PhillipM]

We've got a 2 different vehicles that are wrapped. Here is one of the biggest things that I don't see people talking about. New cars, the roofs are separate panels from the quarters. There is a joint running the entire roof. This allows the installer to use a standard 54 or 72" roll and basically do an entire side in one shot, then do the roof. Well, when you have an older vehicles with the roof/sail panel/ quarter all 1 piece you're going to have seams up there. That's why on a lot of wrapped older cars you'll see a big stripe on the roof or something to allow them to break it up. So far the wrap has held up well. you will however get pull backs and crows feet down the road. Sometimes this is from poor cleaning before hand and sometimes this is from the material being overstretched. I'd say going into a wrap you're going to need to be willing to accept some defects. It just happens. But, you're not popping down 10K for a paint job and it was done in 1 day. So... these are the trade offs.

Here is a video of one of our guys laying the Avery Matte Metallic Silver on the rear quarter of our Olds.
https://youtu.be/QxSF3mGWQw0

You can see that I took the wrap to our paint store and matched up the color so I could spray the jambs. This is by far the best way to go. Jambs and under trunk lid are really easy to spray. Even if you have them put the paint into aerosol cans. If anyone has any questions, or you're in the Phoenix area and want to talk to my installer about doing a job, message me.

Also, you can click on the link to our Olds in my signature and go to the last few pages. I've got a lot more pics there of the process.

Phillip

[camaros down under]

Hello, Anyone have pictures of cars with 5 year old wraps? Let's see what they get like before a new wrap job is needed.
How do wraps hold up against bird poo? Paint job on my daily driver is about 15 years old and its sat outside all its life. The clear coat is peeling away on the roof and there are a few bird poo stains so that's why I'm interested to see old wrap jobs. To wrap every 5 years or paint every 15 is the question (prob works out to be similar prices). Or buy a bigger garage...

[vintageracer]

Here's an answer to your question about the longevity of a wrap with pictures of a 14 year old wrap installed on an aluminum trailer with original white sides that has sat OUTSIDE every day since the wrap was applied.

This wrap was applied to my 1990 22 Ft Feather-lite trailer in 2003. When asked about the expected life span of the wrap the original installer quoted 7 years and said he expected the black colors to away go first. That is certainly NOT the case. The ONLY color that shows any serious deterioration is the base white wrap material which was not colored with printed ink has significantly faded or weather cracked over the years.

They rest of the wrap still looks GOOD 14 years and going!

[camaros down under]

Thanks Vintage racer.
The cracks in the lettering look pretty cool :)
So wrap that's been printed on to might last longer. Tempting to print on this kind of effect
137326
I think I'm going to wrap and see what happens. Easy enough to then paint one day if I want, once I try out a few colours.