A full colour change wrap covers the painted exterior of your vehicle in a new vinyl film, so the car looks like a different colour without a respray. You choose the colour and the finish, and the original paint stays underneath.
It suits owners who want a new look on a car they plan to keep, and anyone who wants a colour or finish that would be costly or impractical in paint.
About this service
A full wrap is installed panel by panel. Parts such as door handles, badges, mirror caps, lights and trim are often removed so the film can be wrapped around edges and tucked out of sight, rather than cut along visible lines. Complex bumpers may need a seam or inlay, and we show you where before we start.
The standard scope covers the outer surfaces you see when the doors are closed. Door jambs and shuts, the inside edges of the bonnet and boot, and the surfaces visible when doors open are an optional extra. Wrapping them gives a more complete colour change, but it adds labour and some disassembly, and certain shut areas may not be practical to wrap on every vehicle. If shuts are left unwrapped, the original colour will be visible when doors are open.
Before we quote, we assess the paint. Vinyl follows the surface beneath it, so chips, dents, peeling clear coat or rust will show through and can affect adhesion. Factory paint in good health is the ideal base. Resprayed panels, touched-up areas or weak clear coat can be wrapped, but there is a higher chance of paint lifting when the film is later removed.
Suitable vehicles and common uses
- Hatchbacks, sedans and SUVs getting a complete new colour
- Bakkies and double cabs where the owner wants a full colour change rather than branding
- Luxury and sports cars where the owner wants a reversible change
- Vehicles with healthy factory paint that the owner wants to keep underneath
- Owners trying a colour or finish that would be expensive to paint
Available options
- Gloss, matte, satin, metallic, pearlescent, colour shift or chrome films, subject to material availability
- Exterior-only coverage, with door jambs and shuts left in the original colour
- Door jambs and shuts wrapped for a more complete colour change, where practical on your vehicle
- Contrast roof, mirrors or pillars combined with the main colour
- Chrome delete on window surrounds and trim as part of the same job
- Front-end paint protection film added on high-impact areas, as a separate product
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 complete change of colour without stripping or respraying the paint
- Film can be removed later, with the original paint underneath
- Access to finishes, such as satin or colour shift, that are costly to achieve in paint
- Some light protection against minor abrasion and UV on the covered surfaces
- Damaged panels can usually be rewrapped individually
Things to consider
- Vinyl does not hide dents, deep scratches, chips or rust; these show through the film
- Without door shuts wrapped, the original colour is visible when doors, bonnet or boot are open
- Resprayed or weak paint carries a higher risk of lifting when the film is removed
- Seams or inlays may be needed on some complex panels
Preparation and installation process
- Paint condition assessment. We inspect the paint for chips, clear-coat failure, previous respray work and rust, and explain how each affects the wrap and future removal.
- Colour, finish and scope. You choose the film and decide whether door jambs and shuts are included. We note likely seam positions on complex panels.
- Wash and decontamination. The vehicle is washed, decontaminated and degreased, including edges and gaps.
- Disassembly. Handles, badges, lights and trim are removed where needed so film can be wrapped around edges.
- Installation and post-heating. Each panel is wrapped, trimmed and post-heated so the film holds its shape in recesses and around edges.
- Reassembly and handover. Parts are refitted, the vehicle is checked in good light, and we explain aftercare.
What affects the price
- Vehicle size and the number of complex panels such as bumpers and spoilers
- The film chosen; chrome and some speciality films cost more and take longer to install
- Whether door jambs and shuts are included
- How many parts need to be removed and refitted
- Paint condition and any preparation needed before wrapping
- Removal of an existing wrap, decals or adhesive residue
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 size and shape of the vehicle, the film you choose, whether door shuts are included, how much disassembly is required and the condition of the paint. We confirm the timing with your quote once we have seen the vehicle at our Rivonia workshop.
Care and maintenance
- Wait the period we advise before the first wash
- Hand wash with a soft mitt and a pH-neutral car shampoo; avoid harsh solvents
- Keep pressure washers well away from edges and seams
- Remove bird droppings, tree sap and fuel spills promptly
- Follow the care advice for your specific finish, as matte, satin and chrome need different products to gloss
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to tell anyone that my caru2019s colour has changed?
A full colour change may need to be reported so your vehicle registration details stay correct. Check with your licensing authority, and tell your insurer about the wrap and the new colour.
Will the original colour show anywhere?
With an exterior-only wrap, the original colour shows in the door jambs, inside the bonnet and boot edges, and in the engine bay. Wrapping the shuts reduces this, but the engine bay is not wrapped.
Can you wrap a car that has been resprayed?
Often, yes, but resprayed paint does not always bond as strongly as factory paint, so there is a higher chance it lifts when the wrap is removed later. We assess it first.
Will a wrap hide scratches and stone chips?
No. Vinyl follows the surface beneath it, so chips, dents and deep scratches usually remain visible.
Is a full wrap the same as paint protection film?
No. A colour change wrap changes the look and offers only light protection against minor abrasion and UV. Paint protection film is a thicker, clear or matte film designed to absorb stone chips and scuffs.
Areas we serve
Customers bring their vehicles to our workshop in Rivonia, Sandton from across Gauteng. All installations take place at the workshop.
