Car Wrap vs. Paint: Which is the Best Option for Your Vehicle?

Does your car need a makeover? Are you thinking of using your commercial vehicles to market your business? Do you want to produce a uniform look for your vehicle fleet?

If any of these situations apply to you, you may be weighing the pros and cons of car wrap vs. paint. Both solutions have advantages and disadvantages. This article will review your options so you can make the right decision.

Benefits of Car Wraps and Paint

Uniform Vehicle Fleet

A uniform vehicle fleet makes your company appear established and reputable. It assures customers that they are working with a trusted provider. It will help embed your brand in their memory so they will call you the next time they require your services.

Fleet painting and fleet vehicle wraps will create a uniform look that separates your firm from the competition.

Vehicle Advertisement

Companies without fleets can still advertise their brand through car paint or wraps. CEOs and founders can wrap or paint their cars with their company logo and design. They can also pay people to have their car wrapped to market their company.

Increases Aesthetic

Car damage is common and it can diminish the look of your car. It can also make you look unprofessional when meeting colleagues and clients.

A paint job will minimize damage so you always put your best foot forward. A vinyl wrap can also improve your car’s appearance, but wraps cannot be placed over damaged areas. You must get your car repaired before a wrap is applied.

Both wraps and paint jobs can improve the look of your car or vehicle fleet. However, the temporary nature and affordability of wraps make them a preferred choice for most companies.

What are You Able to Do with Car Wrap vs Paint?

Both car wrap and paint offer limitless design possibilities. They come in a variety of colors. You can order almost any design from a company ad to your favorite musician.

However, car wraps have an advantage because they can be swapped out at any time. They can be updated if your company logo changes, or you can get a new one to fit your taste.

Paint, on the other hand, is permanent. You can paint over it, but it requires a process. You may be unhappy with the outcome.

What is the Quality and Longevity of Car Wrap vs. Paint?

The quality and longevity of your car wrap or paint job will vary depending on the product you use. Most car wraps last about five years. But a quality wrap can last closer to ten years.

Similarly, a top-tier paint job can last the life of your vehicle while a standard paint job lasts only a couple of years. However, paint is difficult to maintain. Scratches and dings will ruin a paint job in a matter of seconds.

Cost to Wrap a Car vs. Paint

If budget is a concern, car wraps are the more affordable solution. Both services can range greatly, but wraps will beat paint in price most often.

Vehicle wraps must be replaced more often which can add to expenses. However, most businesses prefer them because they can help with cash flow. They also allow companies to swap them out so they can update their look as needed.

Other Car Wrap vs. Paint Considerations

Colors

Both car wraps and paint offer almost endless color possibilities. Car paint can have iridescent effects. You can color each section of your car differently.

Vehicle wraps also offer several color options. You can even get color-changing and glitter-infused wraps. You can place different wraps over different areas of your car.

However, more elaborate options of paint and wrap will increase cost.

Designs

Car paint and wrap design options are also endless. However, wrap designs are more common so they tend to be less expensive. A customized car paint design can cost several thousands of dollars.

Labor Time

Being without a car is difficult. A car wrap or paint job will require your car to be in the shop while the work is being done.

Fortunately, a car wrap only takes 1-2 days. A paint job will take 3-5 days. It could take longer if you order specialty work.

Car Wrap vs. Paint: Which is Better?

It will truly depend on your needs and your project, but here’s a list of the benefits of each:

Cost: Paint is more expensive. It can cost thousands of dollars more than a vehicle wrap.
Temporary Nature: The temporary nature makes fleet vehicle wraps an ideal choice for companies. They can pay people to have their cars wrapped to advertise their business temporarily. They can also change out wraps as they update their company aesthetics.
Maintenance: Car wraps may be higher maintenance when you consider basic care, but they will protect your car from dings and scratches.

How Colographic Can Help with Your Vinyl Wrap Design

Fleet vehicle wraps are not created equal. They can vary in durability and quality of design. If you go to the wrong company, the wrap may even damage your car.

Colographic is a company you can trust. We offer high-quality graphics and installation. We can work on any type of vehicle including semis, vans, trucks, and more.

Wrapping vs Painting