Vinyl Car Wrap: The Most Cost-Effective Exterior Mod

Introduction

Since the birth of vinyl wraps, car customization has never been better. Unfortunately, I think some enthusiasts have forgotten that there are colors outside of Nardo Gray and Flat Black. While these colors can look fantastic on a modified car, they are too overdone. Personally, I see flat black Teslas on a daily basis and it just screams unoriginality. Luckily, there are enthusiasts that see the creativity in bright and unique car wrap colors! In this article, we’ll cover the rationale behind picking a vinyl car wrap over paint and highlight some of my favorite car wrap colors that I think are simply awesome for a project car.

Vinyl Car Wrap vs Paint

If we are to go over why one would choose a vinyl car wrap over painting a car, we need to first see why painting a car would be considered.

Painting a car has long been the traditional method of changing its color or finish. Auto body paint has become a craft in itself, with many designers creating unique and eye-catching colors. However, paint may not always be the right option for you. Here are some of the pros and cons with this approach:

Pros

1. Durability: A high-quality paint job, especially with a clear coat, can provide excellent protection against UV rays, fading, and minor scratches. Also, a car’s paint can be easily restored with a high quality detailing job. Check out our beginner detailing guide if your paint needs a refresh!
2. Customization: With paint, you have the freedom to choose from a vast array of colors, finishes, and effects, allowing for a truly personalized look. Also, if there is a specific color you love from a manufacturer, the shop can get it for you no problem!
3. Resale Value: A professionally executed paint job can increase the resale value of your car, particularly if it’s done to a high standard. A poor paint job is easily spotted by a potential buyer so make sure you get the job done right!

Cons

1. Cost: A professional paint job can be expensive, especially if you opt for premium materials, multiple layers, or complex designs. Metallic flake or other intricate paint jobs will raise the price significantly. Additionally, the cost of repainting or color changes in the future should also be considered.
2. Time-Consuming: Painting a car requires meticulous preparation, including sanding, priming, and multiple coats of paint. The process can take several days or even weeks, depending on the extent of the project.
3. Irreversibility: Once a car is painted, reverting to its original color or changing it again can be challenging and costly, requiring significant effort and expert skills.

Would I Apply Vinyl Car Wrap On My Car?

If you have been around the blog long enough, you might know that I have almost exclusively owned black colored cars, minus the Chevy 2500 Silverado I had that got stolen. Today, I own a 1966 Chevy Chevelle Malibu that is painted in a silver metallic with a hint of blue. Probably the most unique colored car I have ever owned. However, if I were to change my modification strategy for the Chevelle, I absolutely would try and get it wrapped as I like the flexibility of changing colors versus being committed to a single paint color.

Being able to change the color of a car with a vinyl car wrap is great, especially when you know it can be removed or changed if you get tired of it. Paint jobs nowadays are sometimes $10,000 to $20,000, making buyer’s remorse for paint color very likely. While a vinyl car wrap can be expensive with colored PPF or higher end options, it is still very common to get a vinyl car wrap for $3,000 to $4,000. Or better yet, take it on yourself at your own pace and DIY it!

As a car enthusiast going to different shows and meet-ups, I see vinyl wraps on cars regularly. Car wrapping is an art and installers that do a good job on it really make a car pop. The right car wrap color can really accentuate the body lines of a car or be a nice accent to other exterior features. Personally, a lot of the darker matte colors hide the lines that were so elegantly crafted by the manufacturer. I feel like it is a disservice to hide the craftsmanship, but it’s easy to understand why people like those colors.

Powershift Auto’s Favorite Car Wrap Colors

The colors in this list are unique not so much for the color itself, but for the uncommon use of it. The colors are unique because of their simplicity. Despite the simple design, they provide an eye-catching color change for your car. Follow along and see some of the awesome car wrap colors I think are perfect for your build!

3M Gloss Cosmic Blue

For those desiring a rich blue color for their car, cosmic blue is an awesome choice. I love the gloss finish on this color as it emulates traditional paint very well. When you look at this car wrap color on this truck, you would not even know it wasn’t a factory color option! Overall, it is a great OEM Plus car wrap color that looks great on cars and trucks alike.

3M Hot Rod Red

3M’s hot rod red is an iconic car wrap color. It commands attention and looks fantastic on a sports car. For example, hot rod red on this factory red Honda S2000 fits in perfect for a race-car vibe. While a red color is easily spotted on the street, hot rod red is an absolute stand out.

Avery Gloss Dark Green

Green is one of the most underrated car colors out there. Some of the most iconic colors from manufacturers are green. My personal favorite greens are British Racing Green and Aston Martin’s Racing Green. Avery provides this gloss dark green car wrap color and it looks amazing on this modified Audi. The gloss is deep and highlights the body lines of this car perfectly.

3M Gloss Sunflower Yellow

Yellow is often a polarizing color for car enthusiasts. Throughout time, there have been some great yellows and some not-so-great yellows. This sunflower yellow color from 3M is absolutely perfect. Personally, I love this color for JDM cars.

3M Satin Gold Dust Black

Of all of the satin car wrap colors out there, Gold Dust Black is my absolute favorite. It provides a unique color to your car while maintaining that popular satin look many associate with vinyl car wraps. When the sun hits it just right, this color is a showstopper!

3M Gloss Wicked

3M’s Wicked Purple is my guaranteed favorite amongst all of these. A great purple car wrap color can really make a car stand out amongst a crowd. If you look at car colors over the years, some of the most iconic colors were purple. Midnight Purple and Plum Crazy Purple are the first ones that come to mind. Altogether, it is a very solid car wrap color option for those wanting something truly unique.

Why Should I Wrap My Car?

Wrapping a car is an awesome car mod that transforms your car It provides an instant color change that can be applied in hours while also being durable against road debris. In contrast, a conventional paint job can be a multiple day process, keeping you away from your ride. Also, we all know that paint chips are a pain and spending all of your hard-earned money on a paint job only to be ruined on the road by rocks or debris is a hard pill to swallow.

One of my favorite features of a car wrap is the ability to change car wrap colors with ease. Simply have the installer remove the old wrap and install a fresh one. While you can get the panels re-wrapped to the same color, being able to change a color whenever you’d like or revert back to the original look of your car is perfect for those unable to decide what they truly want for their car.

If you want to see what the process looks like, check out this awesome time-lapse of a vinyl car wrap application!

Conclusion

Choosing between painting and car wrap ultimately depends on your preferences, budget, and long-term goals for your car’s appearance. Painting offers durability, customization, and potential resale value but can be costly and time-consuming. On the other hand, car wraps provide affordability, versatility, and reversible modifications, but may have limitations in terms of longevity and durability. Assessing the pros and cons of each method will help you make an informed decision that aligns with your vision for your vehicle. As always, we recommend you consult professionals in this space for the best aesthetic outcome.

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