Car Wrapping

gerardk55

Hi Guys,

Would like to sound out an idea, which on the face of it is probably mad, but I'd like your valued opinion all the same.

Right, I have a 05 Mazda 6, from new with 395,000km on the clock. She's purring away and I've just recently changed the clutch and put a new set of tyres on. She's NCT'd till Mar 2015 and I'm seriously thinking of holding onto it. Mainly because it's like an extension of me at this stage and it has never left me down. The only issue I have with it, is the paintwork is rather dull and usual car park prangs etc are beginning to show.

A decent respray is 2,500eur - 3,000eur where as I have been quoted 1,500eur for a wrap with dent repair beforehand. 3yr warranty included.

I know this is near enough the value of the car, but it would give it a new lease of life I reckon.

Also has anyone here had their car wrapped and how do you find it's holding up? Colour still good? Any particular care and attention needed?

Just thinking of keeping the colour similar to the velocity red that's on it at the minute.

Any feedback appreciated.

gerardk55

Toyotafanboi

have you had a professional detailer price you on restoring the paint? might work out a lot cheaper than the wrap.

gerardk55

I hadn't thought of that route, but as I said there are a few scrapes and bruises that might be hidden better by the wrap.

Might look at the paint restore option though.

Cheers.

Kenny Logins

Wouldn't the wrap just highlight the bumps and bruises?

MetzgerMeister

Get the dents taken out and any deep scratches repaired and get a detailer to do a job on it. A full respray is as you said, a mad idea when you consider the other options that are available.

gerardk55

I'm assuming some sort of filler is applied before the wrap. As it's a metallic finish I just assumed that any kind of spot repair would show up more and the wrap would be a more uniform solution?

Has anyone had a full wrap done?

R.O.R

gerardk55 wrote: »

I'm assuming some sort of filler is applied before the wrap. As it's a metallic finish I just assumed that any kind of spot repair would show up more and the wrap would be a more uniform solution?

Has anyone had a full wrap done?

Had a van wrapped before. From White to Silver - looked fairly well in the end, but half of it had to be re-done after someone ran in to the side of it.

We've had vehicles back that had been wrapped, and the wrapping removed when they came back. One had a repair before it was wrapped, and removing the wrap took a lot of the paint off.

On a single colour, it will need to be a damn good job to not notice the joins. Most wraps are for branding and the cut lines are hidden as part of the graphics - with just one colour on the car, your eye will be drawn to the joins.

Biggest issue thoug is that it will cost quite lot to get it re-done, if you get another parking scrape etc.

Anan1

Without meaning to sound harsh, there is a limit to how well an 8 year old Mazda 5 can be made to look. As long as there's no corrosion/sharp edges I'd keep the money for maintenance and think of the few marks as adding to the car's character. Fair play by the way, it's nice to see someone getting the use out of a car and looking after it.

gerardk55

Obviously haven't looked after it enough, hence the paint and the scratches!

But that's the conundrum, if I hold onto it for another 12-18 months, I wouldn't mind getting some work done on it.

As previous posters suggested maybe a detailer would be a better (cheaper) option?

Might have a look around here locally for some prices etc.

Toyotafanboi

gerardk55 wrote: »

Obviously haven't looked after it enough, hence the paint and the scratches!

But that's the conundrum, if I hold onto it for another 12-18 months, I wouldn't mind getting some work done on it.

As previous posters suggested maybe a detailer would be a better (cheaper) option?

Might have a look around here locally for some prices etc.

where in the country are you?

can you post a photo of the car?

MetzgerMeister

gerardk55 wrote: »

Obviously haven't looked after it enough, hence the paint and the scratches!

But that's the conundrum, if I hold onto it for another 12-18 months, I wouldn't mind getting some work done on it.

As previous posters suggested maybe a detailer would be a better (cheaper) option?

Might have a look around here locally for some prices etc.

Save your money for a respray and get a better car next

gerardk55

Half the reason for holding onto it is the lack of a clear alternative!!!