A car of a different color...If you're thinking of changing the look of your car, you probably know all about custom paint jobs, but have you considered a vehicle wrap?

Vehicle wraps are a growing industry, and while many people are aware of their commercial uses, not everyone knows that vehicle wraps are also a great way to personalize your vehicle.

Before you assume that a paint job is your only option, consider the facts about vehicle wraps. In this whitepaper we discuss the two methods side by side in four categories to help you make your decision: permanence, installation time, cost, and appearance.

Vehicle Wrapping Vs. Painting:

Introduction 1

Permanence 3-4

Cost 5-6

Appearance 7-8

Installation Time 9-10

Odds and Ends: Seams 11

Review 12

Tips for hiring installers and body shops 13-14

About Sunrise Signs 15

Permanence: Vehicle WrapsA quality well-installed and properly cared for wrap will last for about 5 years. Vehicle wraps are completely removable, and while they are on the car, they act as a protection for the car's original paint job. The fact that a vehicle wrap is removable means:

●By protecting the paint you're maintaining the resell value.

●You can preserve the original finish on your classic car while showing off your individual sense of style.

●You won't be negating the terms of your lease agreement by painting the car.

●At the end of the wrap's life you can switch to a new color with another vehicle wrap, or enjoy your old paint job with fresh eyes.

Permanence: Paint Jobs

A quality paint job will be a permanent feature of your vehicle, which is great if you're committed to that specific shade or design for the rest of the car's life.

A cheap paint job that hasn't been properly sanded or primed may result in discoloration or flaking after a few years and probably won't last as long as you would have liked.

Cost: Vehicle WrapsQuality vehicle wraps aren't cheap. Most likely, depending on the car and materials being used, it will cost between $2,000 and $5,000 for a good color change vehicle wrap.

You can get a vehicle wrap for less than that, but make sure you think about why they're charging you less before you commit to a cheap wrap. Do you really want bubbles or wrinkles marring the new sleek chrome finish on your gorgeous luxury car?

A good installation from a reputable vehicle wrap provider will provide a much better finished product.

Cost: Paint Jobs

Similar to vehicle wraps, paint jobs vary in cost and quality too. They can range from as little as $300 to as much as $15,000 for very high end custom work.

A well done paint job requires a lot of work, with priming, and alternating layers of paint and sanding. Cheaper paint jobs tend to cut out important steps, which won't be pretty a few years down the road.

Quality custom paint jobs, especially those on high end vehicles can cost as much or more than vehicle wraps.

Appearance: Vehicle Wraps

If you're looking for a custom texture like carbon fiber or an intricate pattern snakeskin, a vehicle wrap is definitely the way to go. Wrap materials come in many textures and can be easily printed with designs and patterns without driving up cost.

A wrap is also a good idea if you're only looking to accent parts of your car like the mirrors or spoiler. Popular looks include: camouflage, carbon fiber, patriotic flag patterns, and matte black wraps.

CamouflageBlack carbon fiberWhite carbon fiberMatte black

Appearance: Paint Jobs

While many wrap materials are available, and our printer can create a huge array of custom colors, some shades are more expensive to reproduce than others.

Are you committed to that specific shade of opalescent purple? Painting might be a more cost effective way to achieve it.

Installation: Vehicle WrappingOnce your design proof is approved, your color change vehicle wrap will go into production. After we've printed everything or ordered your material, the wrap can be installed in as little as 1-2 days, depending on how complicated and curvy your vehicle is.

Keep in mind, even if the installation can be done over the course of an afternoon, we like to try and keep the wrap overnight so we can keep an eye out for any imperfections that might need correction.

The over all time that your vehicle is with us can be as little as 24 hours.

Installation Time: Paint Job

Again, painting time and quality varies from shop to shop.Because painting requires sanding between coats, it can take a while for paint to dry, and then be reapplied.

Most modernized car shops now have baking equipment to help expedite the process, but for a custom, high end paint job you can expect your car to be in the shop for up to two weeks.

Odds and Ends: SeamsWith a color change vehicle wrap there's no need to worry about pesky visible seams. Materials come in widths up to 60” - which is large enough for most door or side panels.

In addtion vehicle wrap installers can work with dealer technicians to remove mirrors or lights, so the material can be more carefully tucked in.

In the end, you have a virtually seamless vehicle wrap that looks as smooth as the best paint jobs.

In Review:

Wrap Benefits:● Removable

● Quick: 1-2 day installation

● Protects original paint job

● Choice – broader selection of textures and patterns available

● Better for high end or leased vehicles

Paint Benefits:● Permanent

● Pricing options range from very low to very high

● Highly specific custom colors

● Cheaper paint jobs are a better choice for less expensive cars that don't require lasting work

No matter what you choose we want you to be happy! here are some tips for hiring a wrap installer:

●Are vehicle wraps their primary business?

●Are they certified? Look for certifications like Fellers or 3M

●What kind of materials do they use? 3M, Avery, and Oracal are all well known for their quality

●What kind of warranty do they offer?

●What do their customers say? Ask for a list of customers to call, or just try cold calling one of the numbers on a featured commercial wrap to ask about their experience.

No matter what you choose we want you to be happy! Here are some tips for hiring a body shop:

●Visit the body shop beforehand – see if the area where they paint is clean and free of dust

●Check out their painting equipment – is it a modern spray booth or a can of spray paint?

●What kind of warranty is offered? Consider why one shop offers a 6 month warranty against peeling and another might offer a full warranty of several years.

●Research your choice carefully – quality can vary greatly even in national chains.

About Sunrise Signs

Sunrise Signs Custom Wraps and Graphics is conveniently located within the greater Philadelphia area, making it the go to source for visibility solutions in the New Jersey, New York, and Delaware Valley area – our coast to coast network of installers allows us to work nationwide!

We pride ourselves on our experience, design skill, and friendly professionalism. If you're interested in including a QR code in your next sign, banner, trade show display, or vehicle wrap give us a call! We'll provide consultation and guidance on how to make the most out of your codes, as well as incorporate it seamlessly into your design.

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