LGS_18

Anyone ever get a wrap on their 3rd gen? Looking for a price zone. I have a 92 bird i wanna get wrapped soon.

89RedBurd

You can check out dipyourcar.com. They sell full kits that you ca. Do at home and have a lot of really informative videos on how to do it yourself.

Robbie_S

I will have my car wrapped with a clear, protective wrap when it gets re painted. I was quoted about 1,800$. The cost will vary depending on what you're getting. The more graphics and colors on the wrap, the more it will be.

Evilokc

does the clear have a high shine?

NoEmissions84TA

iTrader: (1)

I heard they only last about 3 years. And I don't know under what conditions - always garaged, or outside in the elements. I would like more info also.

Abubaca

iTrader: (3)

There's no point painting it if you're going to clear wrap over it. In a million years, clear vinyl will never look as good as paint. Never. Ever. ....and while technically you CAN buff the vinyl, it'll never look as good as it did new, where as paint, if you do it right, its new again.

....and clear vinyl will yellow. Trust me. They warranty it not to, but most don't keep the car long enough. The manufacturers take that gamble. My guess is "most" of us will keep our Thirdgens for awhile, and it'll yellow.

...and clear still scratches, it still gets nicks and bugs and road grime, but as I said, the finish doesn't hold up like paint over time. For the 5 years you may finance a new car, sure, but again....not on these cars. I will say that the vinyl does NOT chip. That IS a nice touch, especially on the front.

We used to install that clear vinyl (2 different brands) and one of the developers told us that it's a relatively cheap way to make the front of car last a little longer. And it does. It IS tougher than clear coat, but it's not magic, and it DOES have a shelf life on these cars.

Abubaca

iTrader: (3)

As for an actual wrap (like a color or design, and not clear) ....they're cool, but you really have to understand what you're going for. As for a color change (no design), the benefits are you can go back, and there are some finishes that are either impossible with paint, or very expensive. Brushed metals, chrome, matte, carbon fiber, etc. etc. Gloss red paint owns gloss red vinyl EVERY DAY. It's not even close, and it'll degrade faster over time than paint. But.....it can be cool. Ya just have to know what you want.

If you want a design....well then yes.... wraps are hard to beat. You can do some pretty cool stuff. Not saying I'd do it on a thirdgen myself, but I mean it's totally personal preference. There's some really cool stuff out there. I've got a lifted Trailblazer all decked out, and I'm considering an old WW2 Naval camo pattern with dark grey geometric shapes. There's a GAZILLION ideas out there. The sky's the limit.

I do wraps and other signs and graphics for a living. More signs than wraps nowadays, but I've designed countless wraps and installed probably 50 myself. (honestly not exactly sure). They're awesome, and super cool. I love em.....but.....ya gotta be honest with yourself about what you're getting. ...and remember DIY wraps often look like DIY paint. Professional paints costs....and so do wraps. Not as much sometimes.....but they ain't cheap.

Robbie_S

I understand that a clear wrap is really only good for 4-5 years. The car will be garage kept when not driven. I am mostly looking to avoid light scratches and chips while tracking the car. The idea of putting on a new wrap every so often isn't much of deterrent when I look at the benefits as I see them.

Abubaca

iTrader: (3)

In that case, I don't think it's a bad idea at all.