Is The Cost Of a Vehicle Wrap Worth It?
IS THE COST OF A VEHICLE WRAP WORTH IT?
You just got a great deal on a new/used car, but it’s not the color you would have chosen. With that being said, the deal was so good that you couldn’t pass it up. Generally speaking, you have 3 options:
1 – Deal with the color. After all, you got a great deal.
2 – Get it painted.
3 – Get a color change wrap.
Let’s be real here – nobody wants to drive around in a car with a color that is different than what they wanted. The real decision, then, is between getting your car completely repainted and getting a color change wrap. But what are the pros and cons of each, and how much should you expect to pay?
PROS AND CONS OF COLOR CHANGE WRAPPING
Color change wraps are an attractive alternative to completely repainting your vehicle for the following reasons:
- They are less expensive than a professional paint job
- They protect your factory OEM paint
- They can be removed if/when you get tired of the color
While color change wraps cost less than a professional paint job, they have a higher up-front cost (typically between $3,000 to $5,000) and are subject to some limitations in regards to what can be wrapped, such as louvers, some spoilers, hinges, etc. Likewise, since color change wraps are manufactured, the color selection will usually be more limited than that of a paint job.
COST OF PAINTING
vs. Wrapping
Initially, many people are shocked to hear what a color change wrap costs. When first told of the pricing, many people first think “Wow, I thought it would be cheaper. That’s almost as expensive as getting it painted!” This is usually because people have seen advertisements from national auto body shops for $299 paint jobs. Sure, you can opt for an inexpensive paint job, but what exactly do you get with this type of deal? Like the saying goes, you get what you pay for.
The first thing you should know is that professional paint jobs almost never cost this little. Inexpensive paint jobs such as these are notorious for producing subpar results and can even damage your vehicle. For example, we had a client who went to a national auto body chain for a paint job in which they painted the tops of the tires, rubber gaskets, and even parts of the windows. Conversely, a professional paint job from a company who knows what they are doing will more realistically cost you close to $10,000, but your car will look like it came out of the factory when you are done. This makes the up-front cost of a wrapping job far more palatable.
HOW MUCH LABOR GOES INTO WRAPPING A CAR?
A proper color change requires the car being taken apart. All the doors, mirrors, lights, etc., should be removed – all of which takes time. The exact time and cost of wrapping a vehicle will vary depending on the year, make, and model of the car, with aftermarket spoilers, sunroofs, body kits, and other modifications adding to this cost. Realistically, you should plan on being without your car for a week and paying between $3,000 and $5,000 for an average wrap in a standard color. When it is done, however, your car will look like it just came out of the factory – all for a fraction of the cost of a new coat of paint.
TOP-NOTCH VEHICLE WRAPS IN PHILADELPHIA AND SURROUND AREAS
At Night Owl Graphics, our Certified 3M Preferred Graphics Installers never cut corners and only use the finest materials in our vehicle wrapping jobs. Unlike some other bargain vehicle graphics shops, we take pride in what we do and stand behind our work, ensuring our customers are satisfied with our exceptional craftsmanship every time. Having completed thousands of vehicle wraps and graphics for: Philadelphia and surround areas, companies and individuals over the past two decades, you can trust our team to provide the customized and long-lasting results you need to display your brand with pride.
Call 215.244.0444 or contact us online today to get your free estimate.