If you are looking to change the colour of your car, then you’ve got an important decision to make: paint or vinyl? While both are good options for getting the job done, they are very different processes. Check out this quick guide on painting and vinyl wrap to determine which is better for your vehicle.
Cost
When it comes to painting your car, you get what you pay for. A paint job could cost as little as $500, but the lack of prep work in a cheap paint job will leave you with a low-quality finish. If you want higher quality service and results, then painting your car can cost anywhere from $1,000 to $5,000. It could be even more than that, depending on your vehicle.
Comparatively, you could shell out $2,500 to $5,000 for a high-quality vinyl wrap.
Application and Removal
Wrapping a car in vinyl is a much faster process than painting it. After a thorough wash, it just takes some heat to activate the adhesive and get the vinyl to stick to your vehicle. All in all, the whole process usually takes less than three days. Painting a car involves a lot more prep work and requires more time to let the paint dry between coats.
As such, painting a car can take anywhere from one to three weeks. In addition to the quick application time of vinyl, a wrap is also easier to remove than paint. So, with a vinyl wrap, you can change the color of your car as often as you want. And you don’t have to worry about the wrap damaging the original paint job, which is good for maintaining your vehicle's resale value.
Durability
In general, vinyl wraps tend to be more durable than paint jobs.
If you want to paint your car, stay away from low-quality pigments because they’ll only last a couple of years. High-end paints are more durable and, when applied correctly, could last several decades. Keep in mind, though, that even the best paint job is susceptible to scratches and fading. To avoid paying more down the line, it might be better to invest in a vinyl wrap.
Vinyl wraps are stronger than paint, so they can withstand damage better. Vinyl wraps are also designed to last up to 10 years, and many come with UV coating to prevent color fading.
Maintenance
Properly maintaining a paint job is a lot more tedious than taking care of vinyl wrap. To keep the shiny finish of a paint job, you’ll need to wash and wax your car on a regular basis. Not doing so makes it easier for microparticles and other contaminants to get into the pores of the paint and erode it over time.
A vinyl wrap doesn’t have any pores, so you do not have to wash it as frequently. Just wipe it with a wet cloth every now and then, and you’re good to go.
Vinyl wraps and paint both have pros and cons. Think about the cost, durability, and maintenance to choose the best process for your car.
