DIY Vinyl Wrap
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 2,214
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2011 E63, 2013 CLS63
DIY Vinyl Wrap
I have a slight suspicion I already know the answer to this but what do you guys think of wrapping a car yourself with vinyl for the first time. Is it possible to get it to turn out good if you're patient, prep well and have a little luck on your side? Wraps are so expensive, the cost of labor is 300% of the material cost. I just can't pay over $3000 for what pretty much is a giant sticker. Ive seen some first timers do their cars on some of the forums but I've also seen people warning against it no matter what. Obviously 3M Scotchprint would be used, none of that cheap chinese crap that ruins paint jobs. Anybody heard of or attempted this?
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 374
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2008 c350 sport
You can do it but if your doing the whole car.. I believe it's best to have a friend help you out too. Reason why it cost much its because they have to remove parts like door handles, tail lights ..etc. which takes time but it would look better at the end. So if you dont have any experience in doing so.. have a professional do it.
Member
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 95
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2007 AMG E63 Weistec S3, 2003 Porsche GT2 with 1375 rwhp
There is nothing like experience to do a great job and be satisfied with the end result. A mediocre wrap job, even when done with great intentions, still looks mediocre. It takes time to be good at the wraps and learn how to stretch and cover the complex shapes. The guy that wraps my cars has been doing it for 20 years. But, if you choose to try it, then start small and see how you do.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 2,214
Likes: 29
2011 E63, 2013 CLS63
Yh that's the response I've been getting from alot of people. I wouldn't have a pro do it because I just wouldn't do it at all for that much. I'm only asking because it's so tempting to be able to change the color for a pretty good price. The material is expensive but it is very cheap when looking at other ways of changing the color. A paint job for example would ruin resale and never look as good as factory unless it was a 10k+ job. I've seen 2k paint jobs, let's just say "the poor man pays twice" 
I would never ever consider respraying a car myself but again I've seen some people try wrapping, it looks so darn simple (I know it's not). As Jeremy Clarkson would say "how hard can it be?".
I would never ever consider respraying a car myself but again I've seen some people try wrapping, it looks so darn simple (I know it's not). As Jeremy Clarkson would say "how hard can it be?".
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2011
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Honda Metropolitan
Wrapping is no joke and if you dont have the right knowledge about proper prep and installation then you are throwing away money. You could start with little pieces to familiarize yourself. Good luck!
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 14,212
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From: Boston, MA
00 MB ML55, 91 Toyota Supra Turbo(sold), 06 E500(gone), 03 BMW M3
My body shop and I are thinking about wrapping my car in matte white... Looking at the car, I am almost certain I can see how the panels will break down, the biggest pita will be the roofline to back qp... long and thin
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 408
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From: AZ
C32, C55, 08 E63
3k for a wrap?! I've talked to 2 guys here that have done 100's of cars and they said it would run around 15-1700 max. I think you need to shop around before trying to do it yourself....
In theory it's easy but the hardest part of doing a wrap is how you lay it out and how good you are at hiding the cut lines.
In theory it's easy but the hardest part of doing a wrap is how you lay it out and how good you are at hiding the cut lines.
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Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 304
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From: Virginia
AMG's
I also think it matters where you are for pricing I am sure its more in some places. At the end of the day you get what you paid for. I paid $3k to have my wagon wrapped. It took about 5 days to complete.
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