A bonnet wrap covers the top of your bonnet in vinyl to change its colour, finish or add a graphic. It is one of the most visible single panels on a vehicle, so a matte black, satin or carbon fibre look bonnet changes the character of the front end quickly.
It suits owners after a sporty contrast, people adding a printed design or logo to the front of the vehicle, and anyone who wants to try a wrap finish on one panel before deciding on more.
About this service
The bonnet takes a lot of punishment. It faces stones and grit thrown up by vehicles ahead, and on the highway that leads to chips. Vinyl gives only light protection against minor abrasion. It is not paint protection film, which is a thicker clear urethane designed to absorb stone chips. If chip protection is your main goal, bonnet paint protection film is the right product; a vinyl bonnet is about looks.
The bonnet also sits directly over the engine bay, so the underside and the panel itself can get hot, especially on turbocharged engines and in stop-start traffic. We choose films suited to the panel and finish edges carefully, because heat and repeated opening are what usually make bonnet edges lift.
Many bonnets have vents, scoops, washer jets, badges or creases that need individual attention. Washer jets are worked around or removed and refitted so they still spray correctly, functional vents stay open, and deep scoops may need inlays or relief cuts that we will show you beforehand.
Suitable vehicles and common uses
- Hatchbacks and sedans wanting a contrast front end
- Performance cars with vents or scoops
- Bakkies and SUVs with large, flat bonnets suited to graphics
- Show and event vehicles needing a printed bonnet design
- Owners pairing a bonnet with a matching roof or mirrors
- Vehicles where a bonnet stripe or logo is part of a larger theme
Available options
- Matte or satin black bonnet
- Gloss colour to contrast or match the body, subject to material availability
- Carbon fibre look film, subject to material availability
- Printed bonnet graphic from your supplied or commissioned artwork
- Full bonnet or partial bonnet, such as a centre section or vent surrounds only
- Bonnet wrap combined with paint protection film on the remaining front end
Options depend on the material available at the time of your project and on your vehicle. We confirm exactly what is possible in your quotation.
Why choose it
- A strong visual change from a single panel
- No repaint needed to get a contrast bonnet
- Can be removed later, depending on the condition of the paint underneath
- Light protection against minor abrasion such as wash marks
- Easy to match with roof, mirrors or stripes
Things to consider
- Vinyl is not paint protection film and will not stop stone chips from damaging the paint or the film
- Existing chips and scratches on the bonnet show through the film as small marks or texture
- Engine heat and frequent opening put extra stress on bonnet edges
- Deep scoops, sharp creases and some vent designs need seams or relief cuts
- A chipped vinyl bonnet is usually repaired by replacing the film, not touching up
Preparation and installation process
- Bonnet inspection. We look at chips, clear-coat condition, vents, washer jets, badges and creases, and point out anything that will show through the film.
- Plan seams and cut-outs. We agree how vents, scoops and badges will be handled and whether any relief cuts or inlays are needed.
- Prepare the panel. The bonnet is cleaned and degreased, including the edges, and jets or badges that can be safely removed are taken off.
- Install the film. The film is laid in one piece where possible, worked into contours and wrapped under the bonnet edges.
- Refit and test. Washer jets and parts are refitted, jets are tested and the bonnet is opened and closed to check edge clearance.
- Handover. We show you the finished bonnet in good light and explain how heat and washing affect the edges.
What affects the price
- Size and shape of the bonnet, including scoops and deep creases
- Number of vents, washer jets and badges to work around
- Film choice, such as standard gloss versus carbon fibre look or printed artwork
- Design work needed for a printed bonnet
- Paint condition and chip repair needed before wrapping
- Whether you add paint protection film elsewhere on the front end
Every vehicle is different, so we quote each job individually. Your final quotation depends on the vehicle, the material, how much of the vehicle is covered, any artwork, and the condition of the paint once we have assessed it.
Turnaround
Timing depends on the bonnet’s shape, the number of vents and jets, whether artwork has to be designed and printed first, and whether any paint preparation is needed. Printed bonnets add design approval and print time. We confirm timing with your quote once we have assessed the vehicle.
Care and maintenance
- Let the film settle for a few days before washing
- Avoid aiming a pressure washer at the leading edge of the bonnet
- Clean off insects and bird droppings promptly, as the bonnet collects both
- Allow the engine to cool before washing a hot bonnet
- Check the leading edge regularly for chips and have damaged film replaced early
Frequently asked questions
Will a bonnet wrap stop stone chips?
No. Vinyl is thin and designed for colour and finish, not impact protection. Paint protection film is the product made to absorb stone chips, and it can be fitted on its own or alongside a vinyl wrap elsewhere on the vehicle.
Can you wrap over existing chips on my bonnet?
We can, but chips show through as small dents or marks, and loose paint around a chip can lift with the film later. We will recommend whether the bonnet should be touched up or repaired before it is wrapped.
Will the engine heat lift the wrap?
Heat adds stress, especially at the edges, which is why we prepare and seal them carefully. On most vehicles a properly installed bonnet wrap copes with normal engine temperatures, but results depend on the vehicle, the film and how the edges are finished.
Do you block the washer jets?
No. Washer jets are either removed and refitted or worked around so they spray as before, and we test them before you collect the vehicle. Functional vents also stay open.
Can I have a printed design on my bonnet?
Yes. Printed bonnets use your artwork or a design created for you, printed on wrap film and laminated. See our design and artwork page for how files and proofs work.
Areas we serve
Customers bring their vehicles to our workshop in Rivonia, Sandton from across Gauteng. All installations take place at the workshop.
