In the past, you only had 1 option if you wanted to upgrade the look of your vehicle: repainting it. However, that was before vinyl wrap emerged as a cheaper and more mainstream product. Car wrapping is now gaining traction within the community for its affordable prices.
To help you make an informed decision for your next car makeover, here’s our comparison between car wrap and car spray paint in Singapore!
Car Spray Paint
Painting your car is like doing a full restoration — you can either restore the original paint of your car or change the overall colour.
Process of spray painting a car
Step 1: Prepare the surface of the car
First, the body is completely cleaned, degreased and polished with sandpaper to remove any mild scratches and paint marks.
Step 2: Prime the exterior of the car
A primer is then applied to ensure better absorption of the paint.
Additionally, using a primer will help to lengthen the lifespan of the paint job. It also acts as an added protection for the surface of the car.
Step 3: Apply the paint
After the primer has dried and hardened, a preliminary coat of paint is applied with a spray gun. Using a spray gun can help to evenly coat the surface of the car.
After an hour or so, the second coat of paint is applied. Once all coats have been applied and dried, the body would be treated with a clear coat.
Car Wrap
Car wrapping is an alternative method of changing the look of your vehicle without the need for a paint respray. It involves partially or fully covering your car with a vinyl film. The film can act as an aesthetic layer with a different colour, design or finish. It also acts as a protective layer for your car.
A car wrap may also be known as a paint wrap, colour change wrap or paint protection film.
Types of Car Wrap
Process of installing a car wrap
Comparison Between Car Spray Paint and Car Wrap
| Car spray paint | Car wrap | |
|---|---|---|
| Variety | Can be limited by the range offered by the factory engaged | Wide variety of colours and finishes |
| Duration | Up to 3 weeks | Up to 3 days |
| Costs | Pricier due to permanent modification | Cheaper, especially for partial installation |
| Durability | Depends on quality of paint job conducted | Can last up to 10 years |
| Maintenance | Constant waxing and polishing required | Simple car wash with soap is sufficient |
Variety
Car spray paint: Limited by the range offered by the factory engaged
Paint jobs come in a wide variety of quality and price ranges. You’re free to choose the colour and you can even paint your car in more than one colour.
However, you’re usually limited by the range of factory paint colours available or the skill of the designer you’re working with if you want a customised design.
Car wrap: Wide variety of colours and finishes
Car wraps come in a range of colours and finishes including glossy, matte, brushed metal, satin and carbon fibre!
If you’re looking to go for an intricate design, you also have the option to wrap certain areas or panels instead of the whole car.
Duration
Car spray paint: Up to 3 weeks
Before heading into the paint booth to get a new coat of colour, a car needs to go through a few days of preparation work.
The preparation process includes stripping the old paint and priming the car.
After getting a new coat of paint, the car also needs to be dried and polished before the handover. Hence, it can take up to 3 weeks to complete the average paint job.
Car wrap: Up to 3 days
Car wrapping, on the other hand, takes far less time to apply as compared to paint. Once your design is finalised, installation will take a maximum of 3 days to complete. All the factory has to do is wash the car, dry it, and start applying the vinyl.
Costs
Car spray paint: More expensive
Spray paint is a permanent modification that’s almost impossible to undo. It’ll minimally cost anywhere between $1,000 to over $10,000 depending on your car model as well as the complexity of work.
While it’s possible to search for cheaper options, do note that it could lead to poorer quality paint being used too!
Car wrap: Cheaper
Car wrapping, on the other hand, is a lot cheaper — a basic colour wrap starts from around $1,800. If you’re on a tight budget, you could also opt for a partial application, which will cost less!
Durability
Car spray paint: Varies according to quality
Paint jobs vary widely in terms of durability. A cheap paint job will be more susceptible to chips and environmental wear and tear. As a result, your car may look worn and faded just after a few years.
However, an expensive paint job from a professional shop may last a lifetime, with only minor fading due to the sun’s UV rays.
Car wrap: Up to 10 years
Vinyl wraps can last up to 10 years, depending on the owner and the environment. Vinyl can be finished with a UV-resistant coating which will help to sustain its colour over the years.
Here at New Age Polish, we use durable vinyl wraps produced by STEK-USA, which offers extreme protection without compromising on visual aesthetics.
Maintanence
Car spray paint: Constant maintenance required
With a paint job, constant waxing and polishing are required to keep your car surface in pristine condition.
Car wrap: Simple washing
With a car wrap, you simply need to wash it with soapy water, saving you hours of time and effort which could otherwise be better spent driving your masterpiece instead!
Choosing Between Car Spray Paint and Car Wrap
Car spray paint and wraps have their own pros and cons. If variety, budget, durability and flexibility are your main areas of concern, car wraps may be more suitable for you!
Most importantly, you must choose a workshop that you can trust and is known for providing excellent services.
With over 9 years of experience in this field, New Age Polish offers a comprehensive suite of car grooming services. Our team of professionals can advise you accordingly and offer the right services catered to your needs.
