Cars are great, they get us from point A to point B as efficiently as possible (unless you have to drive down 494 during rush hour), but they lack personality.
And for me, I can never find my grey generic sedan when walking out of a grocery store. (Could also be my memory issue)
The answer, simple. Pay $10,000 for a paint job, then all my issues are fixed.
Except, I am a wee poor lad with these things called B I L L S. So I opted for a color change wrap – cheaper, yet equally as effective to where I no longer look crazy running through all the parking isles.
During this impulse decision, I learned about a couple different ways to style your car without breaking the bank, and so now I’m going to pass on not just 5 styles, but also leak some pricing here!
Complete Color Change
This one is simple, no bells or whistles right? Similar to a paint job… except you have thousands of colors and textures to go for.
When I wrapped my Hyundai Sonata, I went for a gloss black roof to fake an infinity glass look, paired with a full body matte green, and on the bumper, added some carbon fiber to hid some deeper scratches I may or may not have had from a previous accident…
My point being, the options are endless. We’ve had customers wrap their cars with combinations like matte black with 3M Matrix Black.
Brief description, just because if you’re here, you probably already know what vinyl is, but for those who just want a refresher, Vinyl Wraps are giant stickers at roughly 3-5 mil i thickness, with adhesion designed for cars. They come in a variety of colors, textures, and finishes, that allow you to pretty much have full control over the look you’re going for.
At Bravo Protection Products, we use vinyl film from 3M and Avery, to achieve a clean installation that will leave you with no issues.
Now for cost. Depending on your vehicle, and the vinyl you pick, pricing ranges from $4,500 all the way to $12,000. Huge gap, I know, and makes it seem like I’m being ingenuous, but let me explain.
Something simple like a full gloss black (or any gloss single color) on a coupe is going to be on the more affordable side because it’s less material, with a cheaper cost, and an easier install since we don’t need to take precautions.
What do I mean by precautions?
Let’s say you want a Silverado 3500, the one with a complicated bumper to wrap, but you also want it wrapped in a silver chrome vinyl. Because the chrome is significantly thicker, and doesn’t heat well, our installers have to take their time with every panel to ensure it doesn’t get distorted. For panels like the bumper that have sharp edges, you’re going to also be looking at some seams in the install to ensure it doesn’t fail over time. That, with more material, and with the price hike for said roll, you’re looking at that high end $12,000.
If the pricing is high though, let me introduce you to option numero dos – tuxedo wrap.
Tuxedo Wrap (Top Hat Wrap)
You’ve probably seen this style from luxury vehicles straight from OEM, or even done after purchase by a good vinyl wrap company.
Tuxedo wraps / Top Hat Wraps give you a meaner split tone look, with factory color on the bottom half, and window trim up at a gloss or matte black.
Pair it with a white body, you got a stormtrooper look.
Pair it with a factory red or blue, you got a mean looking machine.
Costing roughly $1200 dollars, it’s an affordable option that gets you a vehicle that will still draw eyes on the road, and make yours one of a kind (until you inspire others to steal the look from you).
Chrome Delete (DeChrome)
If you aren’t ready to commit to a full color change, but that factory chrome trim is making your car look like your grandpa’s Buick, a Chrome Delete is your best friend.
Just as the name implies, everything chrome (the window trim, the grille, the mirror caps, and the badges) just cover them in a sleek gloss, satin, or matte black.
Huge caveat though, depending on the car, some emblems might be too finicky to actually dechrome, in which shops like us will probably recommend purchasing a blackout emblem kit which we’d install for you if you want!
It instantly modernizes the car and gives it a “murdered out” or “stealth” aesthetic that makes the factory paint pop.
Because this is tedious work that requires a steady hand and a lot of patience, you’re looking at anywhere from $500 to $1,500. The price usually fluctuates based on how much “bling” your car came with and whether we have to wrap complex pieces like honeycomb grilles or intricate door handles.
Racing Stripes & Pin Stripes
Sometimes, you don’t need a whole new outfit, you just need some accessories. Racing stripes are the classic choice for anyone wanting to add a bit of “fast” to their car, even if it’s just sitting at a red light on 494.
Whether you want the classic dual stripes down the center, an offset “Le Mans” style stripe, or subtle pinstriping to accent the body lines of your vehicle, vinyl is the way to go. The best part? If you decide two years from now that you’re “over it,” they peel right off without hurting your paint.
This is one of the most budget-friendly ways to customize. A professional stripe job typically runs between $300 and $900. It’s a low-cost way to make sure your car doesn’t look like every other commuter in the Target parking lot.
Custom Graphics
Video courtesy of our sister shop Sun Control of Minnesota.
This is for the person who wants to go full “one-of-one.” Custom graphics can range from a simple business logo on your door to full-blown digital prints like “camo,” “rust,” or geometric patterns.
At Bravo Protection Products, we can use high-end printers to create a design that is literally impossible to find anywhere else. If you have a vision for a specific livery or a wild color splash, we can make it happen. It’s the ultimate way to ensure you never, ever lose your car in a parking lot again.
Since this involves design time and printing on top of the installation, prices vary wildly. For spot graphics (logos/decals), you might stay under $1,000. For a full-printed custom wrap, you’re looking at $5,000 to $10,000+, depending on the complexity of the art and the size of the vehicle.
A little P.S. here. We also do fleet wraps if you are looking to customize your company vehicles!
Let’s Reel It Back
Conclusion time, because who doesn’t like to feel like they are reading a middle school grade essay.
Vinyl wraps are a great way to accent your vehicle, and make it stand out. They don’t have to cost you an arm and a leg, if you pick the right product and style, and even if they do cost a bit, you know you are backed by 3M or Avery’s warranty and our installer warranty!
If there’s a style that you are interested in, that we didn’t mention, feel free to send us an email at sales@bravoprotection.com, and we’ll be able to help you with the design and a quote.
