Considering full vinyl wrap. Looking for input from those with experience.

[DadVibes]

I'm seriously considering having my M3 vinyl wrapped in Nardo Grey or similar color. I know cost can range anywhere from $2k - $5k and there are a couple of reputable shops in my area that I can trust to do the job. But I'm hesitant since I don't know much about the longevity and durability of vinyl wrap.

For those of you who have had your current or previous cars vinyl wrapped, what is your overall experience with it and do you find that it was worth it? For instance, how well does the vinyl wrap hold up over time and to the elements? My car is always garage kept so I don't anticipate any premature wear from the sun constantly beating on it. But it is a daily driver and is going to be driven in all seasons.

The thing I'm most curious about is how well it holds up to rock chips/road debris. One of the shops I checked into said that it's as strong as a standard 3M clear bra. Which would be fantastic, if true. Especially since at just 8k miles on the odometer, I'm amazed at how aged the OEM paint looks with light scratches/chips. I would love to change up the color and protect the paint at the same time.

Anyway, I'm just genuinely curious to read input from others on this topic as I mull it over.

[hz_diesel]

I had a matte metallic red on my 335, 3 years no issues, minor rock chips from highway but it was the easiest thing to clean. I want to do satin black for my f82 and ceramic coat it, for gloss you'll see swirls and for mattes oils will stain it if not protected.

[N1rve]

Originally Posted by S4toM3

I'm seriously considering having my M3 vinyl wrapped in Nardo Grey or similar color. I know cost can range anywhere from $2k - $5k and there are a couple of reputable shops in my area that I can trust to do the job. But I'm hesitant since I don't know much about the longevity and durability of vinyl wrap.

For those of you who have had your current or previous cars vinyl wrapped, what is your overall experience with it and do you find that it was worth it? For instance, how well does the vinyl wrap hold up over time and to the elements? My car is always garage kept so I don't anticipate any premature wear from the sun constantly beating on it. But it is a daily driver and is going to be driven in all seasons.

The thing I'm most curious about is how well it holds up to rock chips/road debris. One of the shops I checked into said that it's as strong as a standard 3M clear bra. Which would be fantastic, if true. Especially since at just 8k miles on the odometer, I'm amazed at how aged the OEM paint looks with light scratches/chips. I would love to change up the color and protect the paint at the same time.

Anyway, I'm just genuinely curious to read input from others on this topic as I mull it over.

Depending on where you are geographically , the hood, roof, and trunk are only warrantied shorter because it's horizontally facing instead of vertically facing. This is for both 3M and Avery. This is even shorter if it's color (other than white/black).

The vinyl is not as strong as the clear bra, the clear bra is much thicker. Also I can be wrong, but vinyl does not self heal for scratches and stuff like that. PPF is around 8 mills thick and vinyl is around 3.5 mills.

Be mindful of the time it's on the car, once it's on there too long and it starts cracking due to heat, it will be a pain to remove.

[x.shell]

Might want to look at a car wrapped in Gloss finish before going through with it. All the ones I've seen in Nardo Grey has major orange peel. It's not like paint orange peel either. It's more like a cheap plastic looking orange peel. You won't notice it from 15 feet away but it'll be really apparent as you get closer. For this reason alone, I would only vinyl wrap in a satin finish.

If you do have your heart set on Nardo Grey, go with Avery over 3M.

[jpy1980]

Originally Posted by x.shell

Might want to look at a car wrapped in Gloss finish before going through with it. All the ones I've seen in Nardo Grey has major orange peel. It's not like paint orange peel either. It's more like a cheap plastic looking orange peel. You won't notice it from 15 feet away but it'll be really apparent as you get closer. For this reason alone, I would only vinyl wrap in a satin finish.

If you do have your heart set on Nardo Grey, go with Avery over 3M.

This. My buddy did his m2 in gloss nardo gray and it looks good from a distnaces but up close it doesn’t look as nice. I’d go satin as well

[cionide]

I had my E92 M3 wrapped in 3M Satin White, then sold it to a friend and the re-wrapped it in some kind of metalic satin blue. The blue wrap was done alot worse then mine (it was lifting in a few places after a while and the corners were not so clean). Mine was done faiurly well, buk but I would say I regretted it within 6 months. It's enough someone touches it with greasy hands and you get stains - it's not even that YOU have to be careful about your car. Other people just touch it. You take it for an oil change, some mechanic will touch the fender with their greasy hands and you get a stain. If you don't notice it immediately, good luck proving it later.

Here's my old car: https://www.zmianakoloruauta.pl/gale..._m3_perla.html

[DadVibes]

Great info guys. This input actually has me skeptical on whether I'd be happy with the results after spending the money. Especially considering that it seems to require more diligent maintenance and isn't truly a good replacement for a clear bra type of material.

The more I think about it, I'll probably just save the money and keep the car as is. At least with the OEM paint/clear coat I can easily buff out any light scratches and fill in any rock chips with the proper color.

And just a quick pic of the car in it's current state, for fun...

[jd__m4]

Originally Posted by S4toM3

Great info guys. This input actually has me skeptical on whether I'd be happy with the results after spending the money. Especially considering that it seems to require more diligent maintenance and isn't truly a good replacement for a clear bra type of material.

The more I think about it, I'll probably just save the money and keep the car as is. At least with the OEM paint/clear coat I can easily buff out any light scratches and fill in any rock chips with the proper color.

And just a quick pic of the car in it's current state, for fun...

Have you thought about a stealth ppf? I've seen two mineral greys in stealth xpel and they look awesome.

[DadVibes]

Originally Posted by eyeamgrewt

Have you thought about a stealth ppf? I've seen two mineral greys in stealth xpel and they look awesome.

I have not looked into PPF at all, to be honest. I'll look into pricing for that and see how it adds up.

[Taco_Bueno]

Originally Posted by S4toM3

I have not looked into PPF at all, to be honest. I'll look into pricing for that and see how it adds up.

You definitely should if I could redo my purchase I would have gotten Nardo gray and wrapped it in xpel stealth in a heartbeat. Such a clean look and so easy to keep clean.

I got a couple quotes for full xpel stealth wrapped and capped $5000-$6800

[jd__m4]

Originally Posted by S4toM3

I have not looked into PPF at all, to be honest. I'll look into pricing for that and see how it adds up.

Here’s a couple pics I took of metallic Grey wrapped in stealth ppf

[yayaya]

I have MG M3 full xpel ppf and ceramic coated it's the best mod I've done to a car. If I had to do it all over again would have gone with stealth wrap though

[Spun Crankhub]

So wait, can one vinyl wrap their car then have it protected with clear film?

[kRoMhAsaF30]

Yup you can, but usually you put PPF on before vinyl wrap so that when the wrap is removed you still have protection.

Originally Posted by TacoChris

So wait, can one vinyl wrap their car then have it protected with clear film?

I would recommend wrapping and then ceramic coating. Not only does it make the car easier to clean but helps here and there with chips and scratches. I recently did my in the garage and coated it, couldn't be happier with the results.

[Alan l.]

I wrapped my F10 550 in 3M pearl white and it chips alot easier than paint does. After one winter my front bumper had rock chips all over the front. if you are dropping 3-5K for vinyl you are better off dropping alittle more and get stealth ppf that actually protects the paint.

[Taco_Bueno]

Originally Posted by kRoMhAsaF30

Yup you can, but usually you put PPF on before vinyl wrap so that when the wrap is removed you still have protection.

I would recommend wrapping and then ceramic coating. Not only does it make the car easier to clean but helps here and there with chips and scratches. I recently did my in the garage and coated it, couldn't be happier with the results.

You did that wrap yourself??

That's pretty damn impressive.

[5low5]

I had my MG M3 wrapped in Avery dark gloss grey. I love the look and I don't have any orange peel up close. The down side is being paranoid about corners lifting and I can't just do a paint correction for swirls[IMG][/IMG]

[jpy1980]

Originally Posted by kRoMhAsaF30

Yup you can, but usually you put PPF on before vinyl wrap so that when the wrap is removed you still have protection.




I would recommend wrapping and then ceramic coating. Not only does it make the car easier to clean but helps here and there with chips and scratches. I recently did my in the garage and coated it, couldn't be happier with the results.

Is that how you’re supposed to wrap the bumper? In pieces like that? Very curious.

[Alan l.]

^^ Yes

you can't bend vinyl in multiple directions with sharp angles. It will lift eventually. The proper way to do this is in multiple sections using knifeless tape so its straight and the seams aren't noticeable.

[DadVibes]

Originally Posted by 5low5

I had my MG M3 wrapped in Avery dark gloss grey. I love the look and I don't have any orange peel up close. The down side is being paranoid about corners lifting and I can't just do a paint correction for swirls[IMG][/IMG]

Funny, I went to get a quote today and after looking at a few different color options, the shop owner and I both agreed that Avery Dark Grey (either gloss or semi-gloss) would look fantastic. Pricing came to $4800, all in.

I'd prefer to go with gloss as I normally don't love the matte/semi-gloss look on cars. But I'm nervous about gloss looking super swirly, soon after, in direct sun. A ceramic coating over the wrap would take care of that. But then pricing for everything combined would reach a point that it wouldn't really be worth it to me.

I've also been meaning to also get a quote on semi-gloss PPF from a shop nearby. Once I do that, I'll report back.

[N1rve]

Originally Posted by S4toM3

Funny, I went to get a quote today and after looking at a few different color options, the shop owner and I both agreed that Avery Dark Grey (either gloss or semi-gloss) would look fantastic. Pricing came to $4800, all in.

I'd prefer to go with gloss as I normally don't love the matte/semi-gloss look on cars. But I'm nervous about gloss looking super swirly, soon after, in direct sun. A ceramic coating over the wrap would take care of that. But then pricing for everything combined would reach a point that it wouldn't really be worth it to me.

I've also been meaning to also get a quote on semi-gloss PPF from a shop nearby. Once I do that, I'll report back.

PPF doesn't come in shades like vinyl. The glossiness is the top coat and this varies per manufacture. The best top coat has been Llumar Platnium or Suntek Ultra (same film), one that is a shade less glossy is either the 3M or the Xpel.

If you're looking for matte, you'll want something like Suntek Matte.

[x.shell]

Originally Posted by jpy1980

Is that how you’re supposed to wrap the bumper? In pieces like that? Very curious.

Yes. There are several ways to wrap the bumper but the above sections will ensure that there no lifting of the vinyl. I've literally had dreams about how I would divide the vinyl sections on the F80 front bumper; the above is a good method.