Paint vs Wrap

[RttH]

I've spent better part of a day researching online the pros/cons of paint vs vinyl wraps for vehicles. Basically I have the clearcoat failing on the hood and roof (just above the windshield) of my 15 yr. old Mitsubishi Montero. To just cover the hood and roof would be relatively inexpensive to apply a wrap. This truck is outside most of the year in the Colorado sun, and even with 4-5x/year waxing I'm losing to mother nature. My research shows that the wraps are good for 3-5 years with care, but I'm concerned that it would be much less.

Does anyone have any long term experience using wraps?
Also I'm considering wrapping my Maggiolina (fiberglass) tent to match the truck.

Opinions? Ideas? Thanks!

 

[Martinjmpr]

I've spent better part of a day researching online the pros/cons of paint vs vinyl wraps for vehicles. Basically I have the clearcoat failing on the hood and roof (just above the windshield) of my 15 yr. old Mitsubishi Montero. To just cover the hood and roof would be relatively inexpensive to apply a wrap. This truck is outside most of the year in the Colorado sun, and even with 4-5x/year waxing I'm losing to mother nature. My research shows that the wraps are good for 3-5 years with care, but I'm concerned that it would be much less.

Does anyone have any long term experience using wraps?
Also I'm considering wrapping my Maggiolina (fiberglass) tent to match the truck.

Opinions? Ideas? Thanks!

How much does a wrap cost? Could be an interesting way to customize a vehicle.

 

[doug720]

We have have been involved with several trailers wrapped for motorsports teams. The wrap is way cheaper than paint, but it has issues also.

If you leave it on longer than 12-18 months, it can be a ***** to remove and sometimes damages paint.

It allows moisture to get trapped at seams, which causes corrosion

Light and dark colors of the wrap allow different amounts of light to penetrate the material and will cause fading of the underlying paint, even with the UV protectors applied

Dark colors have more problems than light colors with seams and joints, but with all wraps, the seams are problem areas - peeling and water intrusion

Wraps are good for certain things - short term advertising, but, IMHO, not a good option in lieu of a paint job.

 

[libarata]

I mean, the technology of 15 years ago is just now failing. Also, remember that a scratch in a wrap can't be 'buffed out'.

 

[pappawheely]

If it's the roof, paint it with a heat barrier coating.

 

[volcomsurfer]

Ever consider raptor liner? I live in the caribbean and the sun is brutal! My hood was delaminating and looking shabby so I stripped it and coated it. Less than $200 in material and about a few hours work minus drying time. All you need is a compressor. It's super easy to do and very forgiving, opposed to making a nice paint job or dealing with bubbling in the wrap. It can be tinted to specific colors too.

 

[RttH]

Thanks for all the input. I'm leaning towards paint. I think wrap would be a quick fix but not a long term solution. I will still look into it though. Maybe I will paint the areas of the truck and test the wrap on the tent? Then I ask myself...will I even have this truck in 5+ years?? I will get prices this weekend. The xoverland trucks turned out great? wonder how those trucks wraps are wearing?

 

[libarata]

If you wonder about having the truck by the time the wrap would fail, how would you feel about selling it with a cracked wrap.

 

[RttH]

If you wonder about having the truck by the time the wrap would fail, how would you feel about selling it with a cracked wrap.

The rest of the truck is fine and I wouldn't have trouble selling it with or without the wrap. Every now and then I think of selling it but it runs so well and I've done so much to it I may just keep it many more years!

 

[jeep-N-montero]

Don't sell it, get some new paint on her and run it into the ground. I'm looking at having some minor rust spots taken care of and new paint this year on our 98 because it's worth doing.

 

[Shocker]

Take a look at MonstaLiner. It is pretty nice and a lot of the Jeep guys are using it. It goes on great with a roller and comes in a bunch of colors. It is much smoother than Rhino or other bedliners. More like heavy orange peel as it has none of the rubber "nuggets" that traditional liners have.

http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f59/monstaliner-interiors-exteriors-1376308/ - 61 pages of pics
http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f43/introducing-monstaliner-uv-permanent-diy-roll-bed-liner-875162/ - 824 pages of info. Join and get a discount on the material.

This is what is going to cover VanDOOM. Gonna take alot...

 

[wildo]

Have you also considered Xpel/3M/ClearShield? I am having my installer put Xpel wrap on my truck. If you are looking at wraps, that's one direction to consider. It won't re-color the vehicle but it'll protect it. There's also a version that can turn gloss paint into matte finish while maintaining factory paint.

Sorry if that's not what you are looking for. I've nothing to add to the thread but figured I share this in case you had not discovered clear wraps.

 

[RttH]

Have you also considered Xpel/3M/ClearShield? I am having my installer put Xpel wrap on my truck. If you are looking at wraps, that's one direction to consider. It won't re-color the vehicle but it'll protect it. There's also a version that can turn gloss paint into matte finish while maintaining factory paint.

Sorry if that's not what you are looking for. I've nothing to add to the thread but figured I share this in case you had not discovered clear wraps.

Thanks! This is great! I'm listening to everyone's input. I was just looking over the truck and I'm seeing that my ARB Bull bar is also quite weathered. lots to do this spring!

 

[chilliwak]

I like the camo paint that I did on my old 79.
Sprayed on top of a good quality bedliner. Takes a beatin and keeps on ticken.



Always ready to ROCK!:Wow1:

 

[nckwltn]

go to youtube and search for "dip your car", these guys are a group out of florida who sell plastidip by the gallon. For a few hundred bucks you can get enough plastidip and a sprayer to spray your car. They have several videos of long term plastidip application and removal, and the condition of the underlying paint.

I rattle canned the lower trim on my gen 3 montero, I'm pretty happy with how it's holding up 2+ months later, it looks good and only cost me 30 bucks, and I have extra in my rattle cans for touch ups!


the roof paint on my '99 montero is starting to fade, I've been thinking about putting a coating of white plastidip to help reflect heat.