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Want to completely overhaul the look of your car? Vinyl wrap is the quick and easy way to do it and yield professional-looking results. Vinyl is an impressive material with insanely versatile applications. Classed as an organic polymer, as material science evolves, it becomes increasingly durable and flexible. Whether it’s just a patch wrap to cover scratch damage or you want to completely change the look of your ride, there’s a wrap out there.
Of course, anyone who’s ever used a sticker before knows quality counts. Cars are exposed to everything from dust to humidity to snow, and the vinyl wrap needs to be up to the task. The idea is to balance the thickness of the vinyl with durability and the tensile strength of the adhesive with the bulk and bumps it can add during installation. To lend a hand in your hunt for the best car vinyl wraps, we’ve tracked down the top options ranging from sleek chrome to bold reds and everything in between. Let’s delve into the leaderboard, along with some tips and tricks on getting the most out of your vinyl wrap.
Summary List
- Best Overall: 3M Carbon Fiber Black Vinyl Wrap
- Best Value: Avery Supreme Vinyl Car Wrap Film
- Honorable Mention: 3M MATTE BLACK Car Wrap Vinyl Film
- Most Durable: LZRun 3D Carbon Fiber Vinyl Wrap
- Best Premium: StyleTech Type S Wrap
Our Methodology
We can’t put our own hands on every item available. In these instances, we put our collective experience in journalism, research, and prior product testing to use to make our product picks. Items that are used by our own staff may get earnest endorsements as well, but we’ll never accept fees or bonuses to sell you stuff we’re not actually excited about. Affiliate revenue is always disclosed.
The Drive aggregates reviews and research from all over the internet to figure out which products are worth buying. We also put out shopping guides to help you understand how to assess the value of these things on your own. As our editorial cousins at Car Bibles say, “Knowledge is horsepower!”
Best Car Vinyl Wraps Reviews & Recommendations
Best Overall: 3M Carbon Fiber Black Vinyl Wrap
Pros
- High-quality construction
- Realistic carbon fiber look
- Available in various sizes to match project demands
Cons
- Not as glossy as advertised
- Issues with adhesive are relatively common
If you’re after a high-quality wrap that provides that signature, the high-performance look of carbon fiber, look no further than 3M’s DI-NOC black carbon fiber vinyl wrap. Coming from the industry titan, quality is guaranteed, and this wrap will last years to come. It also has the most realistic-looking carbon fiber pattern, so you won’t be tempted to peel it off every time you look at it. You can also order it in a multitude of sizes so you can order up exactly as much as you need for whatever you’re covering, minimizing waste.
The most common issue reported is that the wrap is not as glossy as advertised. You should check the pictures in the customer reviews to ensure the finish is what you want. Also, some reports of poor adhesion can indicate quality control issues.
Best Value: Avery Supreme Vinyl Car Wrap Film
Pros
- Excellent finish relative to the price
- Easy to apply
- Affordable
Cons
- Thin
- Susceptible to scratches
Avery’s Supreme Viny wrap is the clear choice if you’re on a budget. Smaller sizes can be used for pinstriping, racing stripes, and chrome deletes. This wrap is very protective and produces a smooth and gloss-like finish. It conforms well on deep recesses and is easy to apply and easy to remove any air bubbles. The company claims it will last outdoors for up to 12 years, and it’s also a bit cheaper than some other brands. Overall, it’s a great product to use if you’re a first timer and have never worked with vinyl.
One downside is that the vinyl is a little thin, so it may not last as long as other products. Also, the glossy black color has a tendency to scratch rather easily. In addition, it may not be quite as black as products such as 3M.
Honorable Mention: 3M MATTE BLACK Car Wrap Vinyl Film
3M’s matte-black vinyl wrap is another heavy-hitter for those who want a signature finish in a high-quality wrap. This vinyl wrap is scratch-resistant, can last up to eight years outdoors, and can be heat-stretched to fit curved surfaces. It also has invisible air release channels to prevent air bubbles. Wraps from 3M are very easy to work with and are very forgiving if you make a mistake. This one has great adhesion when you run a squeegee over it. And since you can reheat the material, it’s easy to get rid of the wrinkles.
One downside is you may need another person to assist you if you are applying very large pieces onto your vehicle. It can also take a while to cut it and fit it properly, it requires a very sharp blade for application, and you need a bit of patience to get the job done. This particular shade also looks a little faded and is not deep black in color.
Most Durable: LZRun 3D Carbon Fiber Vinyl Wrap
Pros
- Offers effective protective barrier to paint
- Includes installation tools
- Long-lasting adhesion
Cons
- Hard to apply
- Limited appearance choices
Some wraps are meant to enhance the look of your car for a short period, while you feel out your style. Others, like the LXRun 3D Carbon Fiber Vinyl Wrap, are built for long-term application. Acting as a way to strengthen the exterior of your car while adding to its appearance, this wrap comes in rolls a foot wide and five feet long. It includes a knife and a hand tool, meant to smooth out air bubbles during the installation process. The high-grade vinyl is built specifically for automotive applications. It includes an even coating of a high-grade adhesive that prevents excess bubbling. Because of the glue on the back, you can easily move it over curves and make adjustments during setup. Built to last for a full five years, this wrap comes in a range of colors, each opaque. Incorporating a grid on the back of the wrap, you can make measurements with ease, making for a smooth setup overall.
The only real drawback to this pick is a matter of style. Many vinyl wraps opt for an even, flat appearance without texture. Taking an opposite direction, this vinyl has a finely-printed pattern that isn’t apparent from far, but is clear when up close. It’s also relatively hard to install, but that can be viewed as a fair trade considering the protection it offers.
Best Premium: StyleTech Type S Wrap
Pros
- High-quality
- Highly-protective
- Easy to install and remove
Cons
- Expensive
- Only available in small sizes
Want to add a bit of flair to your car without it looking too obvious? Try the StyleTech Type S Wrap for its smooth appearance and easy installation. The black wrap comes in a foot-wide, 3-foot-long roll that works on all parts of the vehicle. You can use it inside the vehicle, smoothing out its appearance and refreshing the look of your ride. It might come at a higher price point, but it’s accounted for through the high quality of the adhesive and material. Protective against UV radiation and extremely resistant to damage from scratches, it both fortifies and reinvigorates your ride. The removable design doesn’t leave behind residue nor does it damage the paint beneath the wrap. It’s safe to use on all types of surfaces, provided they are smooth and flat. The heat-controlled adhesive contours it into position, giving you truly high-end results while requiring next to no tools.
Bear in mind that this set only includes 3 square feet of wrap. If you’re looking to overhaul your ride, check your measurements and get more than one roll. That said, if accents are your focus, one roll is likely sufficient.
Our Verdict
The 3M Carbon Fibre Black Vinyl Wrap offers a sturdy, reliable option that provides a sleek look, making it an easy winner of our top pick. If you’re looking to save some money, the Anself Stretchable Glossy Vinyl Film provides a lot of value at a reasonable price.
Best Car Vinyl Wrap Buying Guide
Types of Car Vinyl Wraps
Calendared Vinyl
This type of vinyl material is cost-effective to manufacture and can be found in the form of car wraps. The main ingredient is polyvinyl chloride polymer, short for PVC. A plasticizing agent gets added in to add flexibility while a coloring agent gives it a hue. It is typically thick, due to the absence of a solvent for paint casting. Constructed by applying heat, it comes out as a paste that gets put through rollers. The end result is between three and six millimeters thick. It works best on flat parts of the car and is an ideal way to add accents. You can expect a lifespan of between one and seven years, though if you drive often, it will likely be on the lower end.
Cast Vinyl
Though it’s more expensive to manufacture, this type of vinyl is generally preferred for car wraps — especially if you’re wrapping the whole car. It adds value in terms of durability, thanks to the plasticizing agent added during construction. It starts as a chemical slurry, referred to as organosol, and is poured on a casting sheet (thus the namesake). It’s then put on a conveyor belt and dried slowly, leaving behind a sheet. This is then rolled up for the later addition of adhesive. Most car vinyl wraps include this adhesive, but not all do. If you source your own glue, be sure it is high-viscosity, lest the two-millimeter thick vinyl show imperfections and air bubbles.
Protective Vinyl
Not all vinyl wraps are meant as an aesthetic statement; so, while it’s less popular, the functionally-focused category is worth a note. Some drivers opt for a clear sheet of vinyl (made the same way as other vinyls, just without adding pigment). The primary purpose of this type of wrap is to prevent damage to the paint. It can help avoid issues with dust and debris in the air, as well as slow the fading of your car’s paint in the sunlight. Within this category, you can choose a matte look or varying degrees of gloss. As such, it can work to turn a matte paint job into a glossy one for a fraction of the cost.
Colored Vinyl
Perhaps the most versatile type of wrap, you can find rolls of colored vinyl in any color you could imagine. Ranging from bright chrome to classic car colors like red and black, these wraps focus on aesthetics. Most feature grid marks on the back, letting you make precise measurements. Stretchy and easy to apply, colored vinyl tends to last around five years in good condition. A perk of this type is that you can use it both inside the car and on the exterior. It comes either flat or textured and you can use it everywhere from your dashboard to your gearshift.
Key Features
Color/Style
Looking for the best vinyl car wrap colors? There are loads to choose from. Custom car wraps come in a variety of shades, depending on the manufacturer. In addition to color, you can also choose the type of texture you prefer as well as the finish. The possibilities are nearly endless. Ultimately, it’s up to your individual style.
Size
The best vinyl car wrap brands sell their products in a variety of sizes to accommodate different people’s needs. The first thing you need to do is determine the size of the surface area that you want to wrap. Then choose a corresponding wrap that exceeds those dimensions. It’s always better to have a little extra left over than not enough to complete the project.
Quality
Look for high-grade cast vinyl wraps. They are very sturdy and durable. Note that some companies, including 3M, make several types of vinyl, so be sure to choose one designed specifically for automotive use. It will last longer and conform to the various shapes and curves of a car. Most vehicle vinyl wraps last several months to a few years.
FAQs
You’ve got questions. The Drive has answers.
A: To fully wrap your car, the safe bet is getting 65 square feet of vinyl. The average car rings in at around 60 square feet, and it’s better to have more vinyl wrap than not enough. Typically, it runs around $3.50 per square foot, or around $220 for the whole car. The bigger your ride, the more vinyl you need, and the pricier it gets.
A: Some vinyl wraps purportedly last for up to seven years, but five is a safer bet. The wrap’s exposed to rain, dust, sunlight, and the constant wear and tear of everyday life. If your area is prone to extreme temperature changes, the adhesive will likely lose its integrity more quickly.
A: Assuming this is a DIY project and you want professional results for the least cost, vinyl wraps are preferred. A paint job requires the tools (including a compressor) and multiple layers of paint. Vinyl, conversely, is a simpler process with more consistently smooth results. Vinyl results in less waste and more time savings as well.
A: You need to thoroughly clean the surface of your car. You could wash the car yourself or take it to a professional cleaner. Be sure to not apply any wax after washing, as this will hinder the vinyl’s adherence. Pay attention to areas where you have pits or chips in your paint. These will become amplified when wrapped. Before you apply the wrap, you can wipe down your surface with isopropyl alcohol to remove all residue.
