Best Car Wraps (Review & Buying Guide)

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A lot of great things have happened for car owners in recent times, but perhaps the most buzz-worthy of those are car wraps. What was once a crude and obvious step below a custom paint job is now a mod that can be a total show stopper, rivaling the finish of even high-end builds. On top of that, it&#;s something you can do yourself with the right equipment and a little bit of patience. We know you already know you want to wrap your car, so we won&#;t waste any more of your time. Below, you&#;ll find some of our favorite entries, then I&#;ll set you up with a buying guide to help you hone in on the best choice for your situation.

Our Methodology

I&#;m just like you and spend almost all of my free time dreaming up different ways for us to modify and decorate our cars. It should come as no surprise that vinyl wraps are something I often spend my imaginary cash on. That&#;s not to say I think my opinion on the subject is that of a true professional, though. Even if I did, my editors make sure that I take the time to do the homework and find out what those who actually live and breathe vinyl wraps have to say. With that thrown in the recipe, I think we&#;ve come up with a decent list of vinyl wraps that will get most car owners in the right ballpark.

Best Vinyl Wraps Reviews & Recommendations

Best Overall

3M G12 Gloss Black 5ft x 50ft Car Wrap

Best Value

VViViD+ Slate Grey Grigio Telesto Gloss 5 Feet x 50 Feet Vinyl Car Wrap

Honorable Mention

Avery SW900-865-O GLOSS DARK GREY 5 Feet x 75 Feet

Best for Trim

EzAuto Wraps 3M Chrome Blackout Kit

Best Woodgrain

VViViD Dark Wood Grain Faux Finish Textured Red Vinyl Wrap 1 Foot x 4 Feet

Best Exotic Color

Rvinyl 3M SP276 Satin FLIP Caribbean Shimmer 5 Feet x 30 Feet W/Application Card

Best Carbon Fiber

VViViD Black True R Carbon Fiber Vinyl Wrap 6 Feet x 5 Feet

Best Color Shift

VViViD Chameleon Carbon Fiber Purple to Blue 5 Feet x 50 Feet

Our Verdict on Car Wraps 

Again, the 3M G12 Gloss Black 5ft x 50ft Car Wrap is a great way for beginners to go. It might not be the premier name, but it is a safe bet. However, the VViViD+ Slate Grey Grigio Telesto Gloss 5 Feet x 50 Feet Vinyl Car Wrap is another solid option that&#;s just a bit more affordable. Pros and savants are bound to disagree based on their personal experiences. If that&#;s you, be sure to let us know what you think the best car wrap is! 

What to Consider When Buying a Car Wrap

The list above doesn&#;t have the color your heart desires? While they might be super popular colors that look great on anything, it doesn&#;t mean that&#;s what you&#;re looking for. I&#;m not leaving you to the wolves if you&#;re looking for something a little more suiting to your taste. This buying guide will help you get where you need to be! 

Types of Car Wraps 

Complete 

Complete wraps make up the majority of the list above, and they are probably what most car owners are looking for. They offer coverage of the entire vehicle and are designed to take the place of an entire paint job. How much you need depends on the application. For example, the average coupe requires around a 250 square-foot roll of vinyl wrap, while a pickup truck might need somewhere around 375 square feet. 

To determine how much you need exactly, you need to find the length of the vehicle and multiply it by 3 to account for the top and both sides. This tells you the length your car demands, but you should always add in a few more feet to accommodate mistakes. Most wraps have a width of 5 feet, so you simply find the length that works best for your application. 

Partial 

In the case that you only want to wrap the hood, bumpers, or trim, it isn&#;t worth buying enough wrap to cover the entire car. It&#;s always good to invest in a little extra, but there is such a thing as going overboard. That&#;s why partial wraps are available. 

There are kits out there that are designed specifically for this purpose, and they may label themselves as a trim kit or something similar, as we see with the EzAuto Wraps 3M Chrome Blackout Kit. However, buying smaller rolls that aren&#;t quite enough to cover an entire vehicle can technically qualify as buying a partial wrap. 

Commercial/Livery 

What&#;s the main draw to vinyl wraps? They&#;re a great way to add a high-end, highly durable color scheme to your vehicle without spending the thousands of dollars you would need to achieve it with paint. Obviously, that&#;s something marketing departments want to take advantage of.

Adding logos and text is also a great way to make a vehicle stand out, which is something racers and enthusiasts can greatly appreciate. There are even companies that allow you to customize what&#;s present on your car&#;s vinyl wrap. You won&#;t find any commercial or livery-type wraps on the list but, but they are widely available. 

Car Wrap Key Features

Clean Texture 

The first thing you&#;re going to be consumed by is the color. In all reality, that&#;s likely what&#;s going to drive your decision the entire way through. However, it is very important to make sure the texture is right to get the effect you&#;re looking for. If multiple manufacturers offer the color or pattern you&#;re interested in, you want to make sure to choose the one that has less of an issue with orange peel. 

Yes, orange peel is an issue that plagues a lot of vinyl wraps out there. No, it isn&#;t as easy to sort out as with paint. Therefore, you&#;ll want to read testimonies to see what other consumers are saying to make sure you choose the product that offers the best finish. 

High Durability 

Vinyl wrapping your car can be much easier and more affordable than repainting it. Still, it&#;s not the kind of job you want to do again in short order. Severe scratches, cracking, fading, and tears will surely lead to the need to do it over. That&#;s why you want to make sure you invest in a highly durable product. 

While most vinyl wraps are more durable than paint, they are not all equal. Take the time to read what others are saying. Find out what they expose it to and how long the product sticks around in the face of adversity. This is the best way to make sure you&#;re getting the most for your money. 

Adhesion 

Some vinyl wraps have very aggressive adhesives that make it hard to reposition as you work, while others are more forgiving. This is definitely something worth reading into as it will determine how easily the product goes on. If you&#;re new to this, you want to make sure it&#;s as easy to apply as possible to avoid making mistakes that quickly inflate the cost of applying a vinyl wrap yourself.

You also want to make sure the adhesive does its job. If you determine that lifting is a major issue with a certain product, you&#;ll want to avoid it. Otherwise, you&#;re sure to wind up pulling it all off and invest in another, tackier wrap.

Car Wrap Brands to Know 

3M

Yes, you know 3M. It played a major role in introducing the world to the Scotch tape brand. With humble beginnings dating back to in Northern Minnesota, 3M has grown to be one of the most recognizable brands in adhesives, and you&#;ll probably find it on any sticky aftermarket part for your car. 

Avery

With roots extending back to , the Avery Dennison name has long been a go too for vehicle wraps and graphics. Its presence can be found in agricultural and industrial settings alongside commercial vehicles, as it&#;s known for producing some of the best wraps available. 

VVivid

Vvivid is one of the more recognizable names in the world of car wraps thanks to its 30 years of experience. The Montreal-based company has proven itself to be a dependable supplier, and its distribution center in Champlain, N.Y., helps folks across the country get their hands on it. 

EZAuto Wraps

EZAuto Wraps set up shop back in and continues to work out of City of Industry, Calif. It specializes in wraps for vehicles but doesn&#;t produce only its own wrap. It aims to give consumers the best possible prices on products from leading manufacturers like Avery and 3M. 

Rvinyl 

Rvinyl was founded in and operates out of Brooklyn, N.Y. Auto parts and accessories of all types are on the roster, most with a cosmetic agenda. Of course, tint and wraps are a part of that, and it works with respectable names like 3M and Avery. 

Tips and Tricks

As with something you do for decades upon decades, you pick up a few tips and tricks along the way in terms of selecting the right product, and/or using it. That&#;s the case with us and car wraps. To help you bridge the information gap, here&#;s a selection of what we&#;ve learned along the way.

• Good Paint First. Vinyl does need a good base to stick to. It will adhere best to a thoroughly cleaned and prepped paint job.
• Practice is Essential. Even if it&#;s faster than painting your car, it&#;s not as simple as slapping a sticker on. Take the time to learn how to work the product before tackling big jobs. 
• Get the Right Equipment. Laying vinyl doesn&#;t require quite as much equipment as painting, but you don&#;t want to skimp on tools. It&#;s worth spending a little extra money on good squeegees, heat guns, and cutting blades. 
• Listen to Pros. Many talented professionals who make a living with vinyl are willing to share the &#;secrets&#; of the trade. Listen to them. They can provide some incredibly useful insight on what techniques and brands to consider.

FAQs 

You&#;ve got questions. The Drive has answers!

Q: How long do car wraps last?

A: If done right, vinyl car wraps can last an average of 5-7 years. It&#;s all about how well the job is done and how good the materials used are. It&#;s not out of the realm of possibility for a poor wrap job to come short of those expectations. Also, it&#;s not out of the question for premium materials and professional-level installation combined with proper care to produce longer-lasting results. 

Q: Are wraps bad for your car?

A:  So long as there&#;s a healthy layer of paint and solid metal beneath, vinyl wraps are completely safe for use on your car. It can, however, pull away any layers of paint that are already beginning to peel away.

Q: Do car wraps scratch easily?

A: How easily vinyl will scratch depends on a few factors. For example, matte colors will scratch easier than gloss, and of course, the quality of the wrap used and how well it&#;s installed will play a big role in determining how well it holds up. At the end of the day, it shouldn&#;t scratch any easier than paint, but it really does depend.

Quantity

Chameleon Rainbow Drift Black Red Vinyl Wrap Specifications

Film: High-grade calendared polymeric vinyl film

Color: Black Red

Finish: Gloss

Film Thickness: 3.7 - 4.1 mil ±2%

Adhesive Thickness: 1.6 mil ±2%

Adhesive: Low-Tack Solvent Acrylic

Protective Liner: PVC/PET Liner

Release Liner: Paper/Plastic Liner

Flammability: Self-Extinguishing

Air Release Channel: Bubble-free installation

Removable: Removable with heat gun

Application Method: Dry only

Contact us to discuss your requirements of Chameleon Car Wrap. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.

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Post-Heat Temperature: 175&#; - 185&#; (79.5&#; - 85&#;)

Recommended Installation Area Temperature: 70&#; - 80&#; (24&#; - 26.5&#;)

Dimensional Stability: Shrinkage less than 4%

Tear Strength: 27.6 N/10mm

Peel Strength: 6.5N/25mm

Chemical Resistance: Resists most mild acids, mild alkalis, and salt

Indoor lifespan: 5 years when care instructions are followed

Outdoor lifespan: 3 years when care instructions are followed

Storage Period: Storage in a temperature range of 68&#; - 78&#; (20&#; - 26&#; ) with Relative Humidity of 50%, Indoor storage in original package and away from direct sunlight.

Vinyl Width (Standard): 5ft/ 60in/1.52m

Vinyl Length (Standard): 59ft/ 65yard/18m

Application Surface: Flat, simple, moderate compound curves, convex and concave surfaces.

Application Use: Automotive (cars, trucks, SUVs, vans, etc.), Watercraft (boats, yachts, etc.), Architectural, Laptops, Cell phones, Furniture.

Why Choose Chameleon Rainbow Drift Black Red Vinyl Wrap

The Chameleon Rainbow Drift Black Red Vinyl Wrap is renowned for its striking color-shifting properties. This unique wrap transitions smoothly between black and red hues, producing a captivating gradient effect that seems to shift and flow as you move around the vehicle.

In different lighting conditions, the colors appear more vibrant and pronounced. Under direct sunlight, the red hues become more intense, while in shaded areas or at dusk, the black tones dominate, offering a subtler yet equally stunning look.

This black-red chameleon wrap creates a mesmerizing visual effect that can change your car colors based on the angle of view and lighting conditions.

Features of Chameleon Black Red Vinyl Film

Durability

Yeswrap's Super Chameleon Wrap is made from high-grade polymeric vinyl and consists of 4 layers of construction of the vinyl film. It can last 5 years when properly maintained and provides long-term application and protection to your car.

UV Resistance

The vinyl wrap resists fading and discoloration caused by prolonged exposure to sunlight, keeping the color vibrant for years.

Easy Application

Suitable for a variety of vehicle surfaces, the vinyl wrap can be easily applied to complex curves and contours, including bumpers, grilles, mirrors, fenders, and door handles.

Air-Release Channel

The Chameleon Black Red Vinyl Wraps are equipped with air-release channels, allowing repositioning that prevents bubbles and wrinkles from appearing during installation and ensures a smooth and seamless finish on any vehicle model.

Removability

Our vinyl film&#;s adhesive is solvent-based, repositionable, permanent adhesive that can be removed with heat gun without adhesive residue and damaging the original paint.

Versatile Application

Beyond vehicles, Super Chameleon Black Red Vinyl Wrap can be used on motorcycles, boats, and even interior surfaces like dashboards and trim. The wrap can also be used for creative projects, such as wrapping electronics, furniture, and more.

Benefits of Chameleon Color-Shifting Car Wrap

Enhance Vehicle Aesthetics

The chameleon effect provides a distinctive and eye-catching look, making your vehicle truly one-of-a-kind. Black Red shifting colors create a dynamic appearance that changes with different lighting and angles. For those who want to make a statement through their vehicle, our Super Chameleon Rainbow Drift Vinyl Wrap is the best.

Paint Protection

Our Chameleon wraps are made from high-quality vinyl film, once wrapped on your vehicle, that can act as a protective layer to car paint against scratches, stone chips, and minor abrasions. It also shields the original paint from UV rays, preventing fading and discoloration over time.

Affordability

Achieving a color-shifting effect through traditional paint can be prohibitively expensive and time-consuming. Yeswrap's Chameleon vinyl wraps offer a more affordable and easy solution without spending tens of thousands of dollars to get a color-shifting look.

Keep Resale Value

Cars that are well-maintained and uniquely packaged will be more attractive to buyers.  By protecting the original paint underneath and keeping it in factory condition, a car wrap can help preserve the resale value of the vehicle.

Quick Installation

Applying Chameleon vinyl wrap is significantly quicker than a full paint job, meaning less downtime for your vehicle. Professional installers can often help you complete the wrap job within 2 days.

The combination of the chameleon color effect and the glossy finish makes the Chameleon Rainbow Drift Black Red Vinyl Wrap a standout choice for your vehicle customization. It offers a unique, head-turning appearance that is sure to attract attention and admiration wherever you go.

Whether you're driving down the street, parked at an event, or showcasing your vehicle at a car show, the dynamic color shifts and luxurious finish will make a lasting impression. The Chameleon Rainbow Drift Black Red Vinyl Wrap is not just a visual upgrade; it's a statement of style and individuality.

For more information, please visit Khaki Green Car Wrap.