Full body wrap v respray - Figgggght!

[macky_6]

Ok gents,

As per title, discuss the benefits/pitfalls of a full body wrap versus a respray.

So far my conclusions are as follows:

Wrapping is cheaper, wrapping is cheaper and it's more expensive if you want a proper respray Cost of both?

Wrapping is temporary, which coud be both good or bad and a respray could be detrimental for resale if i go for a non OEM colour, which is entirely possible! ( not too bothered about resale value to be honest )

I guess my main concerns about wrapping is the hardiness of it. Is stone chipping an issue? How convincing is it when applied? Can it look "real" when viewed in person rather than pics? ( i would be going for a gloss finish )

Also, how well does it cover current scratches on my paintwork? Or will these simply show through?

Lastly, are there different types of wraps? By that i mean different grades of material which are used? Any to insist upon/avoid?

All comments welcome

[RattyMcClelland]

Wrapping "can" peel off OEM paint when its time to take it off.
Shut lines would be an issue with wrapping.

Respray IMO but i didnt have to deal with the costs associated with it.

[Ammo]

How is your body work?

If it's mint wrap it, if it's rough it's a respray job, all depends on the finish you want, you can get gloss wraps, even flock wraps now if that floats your boat

[Crazy_C]

Personally, I'd not wrap any of my cars, I'll always opt for a paintjob first and foremost. A wrap may be cheaper, but when you're having to do them every couple of years, that soon mounts up!!

[Fons[DutchGuy]]

I did some research on this before, wrapping can give some problems when the paint underneath isn't mint. Chances are it wont "stick" as well on a scratch't surface (bubbles) and if the blank layer is suffering from age it could peal of wile removing the wrap. About the stone chipping, I've heard about services and clear wrapping jobs on a fresh paint job to protect against stone chip damage, so my guess is that the wrap can handle some beating.

[W1ggz]

They do the clear wrap as standard on the new lotus's I believe

[nitin_s1]

My friend just got his M3 wrapped in Matt Grey.. It looks fantastic but from what I've heard I would always get it resprayed. There was some stone chips on his bonnets so they had to put filler in to make it smoother, it's ok but when you remove the wrap you will see the filler. There has been some chemical reaction or something on the door sill area where there could have been engine oil, now you can see it close up that the wrap is greasy there. Last thing. He had intended to put his carbon fibre M3 rear lip spoiler on the car after he got it wrapped, BMW won't touch his car as they think that the glue will react with the wrap and now he has to go all the way back to the body shop (where he got the wrap) just to put the little thin spoiler on.

It does look fantastic, but now he is always concerned about more stone chips, someone scratching it, and always paranoid. He has confesses that he should have just got it sprayed instead of the wrap. I'll get some pictures up when he has finished putting the spoiler and the wheels on it.

[Bri]

I like the idea of wraps, but being a painter I can spray my own car cheaper than a wrap. vinyl shrinks too, tears and fades, at least with paint you can polish and t-cut or repair damage.

[Donald]

I'd much rather a respray.

In my mind wrapping is a cheap option, regardless of the results.

The cons seem to outweigh the benefit:

Leaves a mess post-peeling
Less than perfect bodywork needs attention before wrapping
Pain to touch up small discrepancies

You may as well do it once, do it right and get a paintjob that will last.

[lewd lude lover]

wraps are what you do to protect your nice clean paintwork. they are meant to take the knocks for the paint underneath. not as a replacement for paint. imho.