Wrapping: will I regret it?

[Tommy L Garage]

I’m contemplating getting my car wrapped.
To those who did it - any regrets? Anything to look out for?

I would prefer glossy but it shows imperfections so it would have to be maybe satin.

[NYBulldog]

I just had my wagon wrapped 2 weeks ago. My first wrap. So far I love it. It looks incredible. I’m very happy but of course we will see what happens in the future. I asked specifically for 3M, I’m hoping it lasts a while. I’ve had cars repainted, I wish I had considered this earlier. I had a guy in Jersey do it for me, he’s done a few Ms. Price was very fair. Let me know if you want his contact info.

[drgmt]

Yep I've done this a few times.

Avoid 3M.

Avery Dennison is the only wrap I would use. Go to someone good. It makes all the difference in finish.

Really like wrapping and it protects the paint also.

[flipnkraut]

STEK just announced their new line of PPF at SEMA that you can get in different colors and they even have a carbon fiber looking one that looks pretty good. A normal wrap doesn't protect your paint like PPF does. But a wrap was previously the only way to change your cars color.

[flipnkraut]

Originally Posted by drgmt

Yep I've done this a few times.

Avoid 3M.

Avery Dennison is the only wrap I would use. Go to someone good. It makes all the difference in finish.

Really like wrapping and it protects the paint also.

A wrap will help against micro scratches from improper washing or from automatic car washes, but it does not really protect your paint. A vinyl wrap is incredibly thin and would not protect your paint against rock chips like a PPF would.

[drgmt]

Originally Posted by flipnkraut

A wrap will help against micro scratches from improper washing or from automatic car washes, but it does not really protect your paint. A vinyl wrap is incredibly thin and would not protect your paint against rock chips like a PPF would.

Agree. It protects against poor washing technique.

[ellipsis212]

Though not a standard vinyl wrap, I recently got an Autoflex high gloss wrap done by an authorized installer and was initially disappointed with the results. Sections of the car - particularly the doors - had an intensely dull peel finish and there was way too much uncontrolled overspray in the door jambs.

The installer admitted he tried to rush the job and promised to remedy everything at his cost. After waiting 2 months for another appointment it's back in this week for a full retake including a "flow coat" finish where wet sanding is done prior to final clear coating.

I should have it back middle of next week and will share my results, and in spite of the difficulties I've experienced I'm convinced that this is going to be an extremely high quality and fully reversible wrap.

Here's a peek of the first wrap coming off

[Modified_f80]

Hey Tommy, it is worth wrapping. I would say it would help protect the paint against salt, rush washes, small scratches. Mind you it will not protect against rock chips but it does add a layer of protection.

Its a lot easier to clean the car as also ceramic coated. Snow just falls off. Quick washes are not worry free.

[N1rve]

I had my roof wrapped in gloss black 3M 1080 and I would have to say that even though it looks cool and I had it done at a professional shop, I would not do it again. The finish is not going to be paint-like up close, it's going to be close. You run a really high risk of getting cuts on the paint because when you cut vinyl, you cannot see through it to cut it like PPF. My car has a few cuts on the roof rails, but I had my car wrapped in PPF prior so they only nicked my PPF. They will also be disassembling your car, so you also run the risk of the car not being put back together 100%.

The material isn't as nice or as thick as PPF so you don't really get any "protection". It doesn't self heal like PPF, rocks and stuff like that would go through it quite easily.

The only wrap I would recommend is PPF.

And before you ask, yes, I wrapped my PPF roof with a vinyl lol.

[Danlnyc88]

Originally Posted by N1rve

I had my roof wrapped in gloss black 3M 1080 and I would have to say that even though it looks cool and I had it done at a professional shop, I would not do it again. The finish is not going to be paint-like up close, it's going to be close. You run a really high risk of getting cuts on the paint because when you cut vinyl, you cannot see through it to cut it like PPF. My car has a few cuts on the roof rails, but I had my car wrapped in PPF prior so they only nicked my PPF. They will also be disassembling your car, so you also run the risk of the car not being put back together 100%.

The material isn't as nice or as thick as PPF so you don't really get any "protection". It doesn't self heal like PPF, rocks and stuff like that would go through it quite easily.

The only wrap I would recommend is PPF.

And before you ask, yes, I wrapped my PPF roof with a vinyl lol.

Sounds a lot like the problem is the installer themselves and the type of vinyl they are using.

Professionals these days use string and other ways to install the wraps.

Which shop did you go to?

[N1rve]

Originally Posted by Danlnyc88

Sounds a lot like the problem is the installer themselves and the type of vinyl they are using.

Professionals these days use string and other ways to install the wraps.

Which shop did you go to?

Impressive Wrap

[Danlnyc88]

Originally Posted by N1rve

Impressive Wrap

that sucks to hear I got my car PPF wrappped over there too.

[drgmt]

The car paint should never be damaged by blade with the right installer. That's amateur hour

[icegrill]

Personally would never! Seems like such a waste of money and the risks don't equal the rewards.

[allinon72]

About 10 years ago I wrapped the front trim pieces of my e46 in the highest quality vinyl at the time. Within 6 months they were all torn up. I realize vinyl has improved since then but I still can't imagine daily driving a wrapped car and having it last. Especially in a cold weather state.

[Tommy L Garage]

Thanks for the input guys.
At this point I’m actually leaning toward xpel stealth

[allinon72]

Originally Posted by Tommy L Garage

Thanks for the input guys.
At this point I’m actually leaning toward xpel stealth

Now that I could get behind

[drgmt]

Originally Posted by Tommy L Garage

Thanks for the input guys.
At this point I’m actually leaning toward xpel stealth

I had xpel on my ttrs and now suntek ultra on my M4CS.

There are absolutely no stone chips on the suntek ultra where as xpel at the front of the ttrs was marked in multiple areas by stone chips.

Suntek ultra is another brand to consider.

[Alan l.]

I've wrapped a few cars in the past and to me its not worth it. In the winter the vinyl gets hammered and chips way easier than paint. My front bumper was full of chip mark after just one winter. Mine was satin white pearl (3M) and overtime it started to stain where regular car soap couldn't clean it off. I had to use harsher chemicals to make the wrap look clean. I can't imagine how people deal with full matte wraps.

It is true that it all comes down to the installer. I would ask to see their work and focus on the close up details. Do they tuck around all edges? do they use templates? etc... I could never deal with seeing jagged wiggly cut lines all over my car. I know most people won't notice it but I do...

[Mentl_M4]

I have been concerned about the exact same thing "orange peel effect" on gloss vinyl, and that effect is the reason I have not wrapped any of my cars yet. Im in California and my friend owns a wrap shop and recently showed me this new company he saw at SEMA this year called (inozetek) IG @inozetek
URL: inozetekusa.com . What I saw from them is on par and may even be better than paint. I held a sample of their vinyl up in some light and compared it to my stock BSM color on my M4 and was shocked to see less ripples in the light on the vinyl. I'm going to be doing the nardo grey but they have a few other really cool colors. Im not affiliated with them or anything like that, but this material from inozetek is definitely worth waiting for and inquiring about. I promise you're going to want to check them out.

[PhatLyfe]

Saw a guy on YouTube, thic30 was his tag, he had a wrap with ppf. Check it out, I thought it was awesome

[x.shell]

Originally Posted by Mentl_M4

I have been concerned about the exact same thing "orange peel effect" on gloss vinyl, and that effect is the reason I have not wrapped any of my cars yet. Im in California and my friend owns a wrap shop and recently showed me this new company he saw at SEMA this year called (inozetek) IG @inozetek
URL: inozetekusa.com . What I saw from them is on par and may even be better than paint. I held a sample of their vinyl up in some light and compared it to my stock BSM color on my M4 and was shocked to see less ripples in the light on the vinyl. I'm going to be doing the nardo grey but they have a few other really cool colors. Im not affiliated with them or anything like that, but this material from inozetek is definitely worth waiting for and inquiring about. I promise you're going to want to check them out.

It's cool that vinyl products are improving more and more. I did see that AMG GT up close at the LA Auto Show and it looked really good.