Vinyl wrap durability?

[shift8]

I'm really interested in how well vinyl wrap holds up to stone chips on the front bumper / hood vs paint? I've seen a few cars on this forum with wraps, and the pics of them all seem to show no stone chip marks.

Does the vinyl wrapping really hold up that well vs paint?

[r4mi5awi]

Vinyl vs. Paint? It's not like the latter is really an option :p At this point, knowing how Mazda is with paint, paper mache holds better.

Now that my rantasm is done, vinyl holds surprisingly well with minimal maintenance. From what I've seen, your only other alternative is plastidip and that too holds fairly well, depending how many coats you put on.

[coriolis]

My work car is completely wrapped in vinyl. It hides dust and dirt well, but if you get a rock chip, it'll show. Unlike paint where there is a clearcoat which provides some protection against rock chips, vinyl is mostly just plastic with an adhesive backing, and a think clear film on top. I've gotten a lot of road rash where a rock skimmed past the vinyl and completely ripped the clear film right off.

Though, as mentioned, you will barely notice because vinyl hides defects pretty well.

Might be just my car, It was pre-wrapped when I got it so I'm not sure if they used the cheap stuff or the good stuff.

[shift8]

Vinyl vs. Paint? It's not like the latter is really an option :p At this point, knowing how Mazda is with paint, paper mache holds better.

Now that my rantasm is done, vinyl holds surprisingly well with minimal maintenance. From what I've seen, your only other alternative is plastidip and that too holds fairly well, depending how many coats you put on.

Cool thanks for the info. I wasn't expecting it to be a magic bullet (or being magic bullet proof), but if it goes on and driving through some sand is going to shred it, than I wouldn't think it would be too popular :)

Thinking about doing the hood of the car, as it does have a lot of paint chips (car is 2008.5 and 135,000km on it). I don't drive it a lot as I work from home, so thinking a wrap is a good alternative to having to painted (especially since it's CWP, which is more labour intensive).

[FoXy]

My entire car is wrapped in vinyl. It holds up OK, but you are right, it will get stone chips, and you will see it. It's less noticable if the vinyl colour and paint colour are both light or dark. I have a couple stone chips in the hood but you dont notice it much. The front bumper is much worse. That will have to get re-done every couple years if you drive on the hwy much. Hood would last for 3-4 i'd say. Definately worth it for the hood.

[expir3d]

Depending on the brand you use, vinyl can be pretty durable too. 3M 1080 is meant to last about 5-7 years, and most people would probably change their car by then. It will chip a bit, but it protects the paint underneath pretty well.

[FoXy]

Mine is wrapped in the 1080. It lasts on the parts that arent exposed to the most damaging things.

[shift8]

My entire car is wrapped in vinyl. It holds up OK, but you are right, it will get stone chips, and you will see it. It's less noticable if the vinyl colour and paint colour are both light or dark. I have a couple stone chips in the hood but you dont notice it much. The front bumper is much worse. That will have to get re-done every couple years if you drive on the hwy much. Hood would last for 3-4 i'd say. Definately worth it for the hood.


Depending on the brand you use, vinyl can be pretty durable too. 3M 1080 is meant to last about 5-7 years, and most people would probably change their car by then. It will chip a bit, but it protects the paint underneath pretty well.

Awesome thanks for the feedback folks.

Ya I'll be getting the 3M vinyl done. I decided to go with white carbon fibre on the hood on a CWP car, so hoping the white paint underneath helps hide any possible stone chips. Hopefully at a minimum since it's not a daily driver. Can't wait to get some pics up!

[jonjon72]

As Kat mentioned, if there is enough stone chips or damage to a certain area that one can be taken off and replaced. I expect quite a few stone chips on my trip down to NC in a couple of months.

Hold up pretty well but its not impervious to heavy stone chips when daily driven.

[shift8]

As Kat mentioned, if there is enough stone chips or damage to a certain area that one can be taken off and replaced. I expect quite a few stone chips on my trip down to NC in a couple of months.

Hold up pretty well but its not impervious to heavy stone chips when daily driven.

Cool, so it basically isn't any worse off than paint :)

[jonjon72]

Cool, so it basically isn't any worse off than paint :)

Still better than the thin paint that Mazda uses on our 3's. ;)

[Dynames]

Stone chips will show no matter what you do but that's actually one of the benefits of having vinyl. It protects your car from damage like that. Small chips won't be noticeable unless it's on your own vehicle and you know specifically where to look. I have vinyl om my hood and there are a few spots with said chips. If I don't mention it no one sees it.

[Dynames]

Will also throw a word of caution on your choice of white carbon fiber. It looks extremely tacky since it's more like a milky white and the material is quite difficult to work with and so unless it's used on your roof or some other flat surface, most likely you'll run into issues. I know because my friend runs a business doing vinyl work commercially and another friend she's white carbon fiber on his roof and also had it on his hood.


Awesome thanks for the feedback folks.

Ya I'll be getting the 3M vinyl done. I decided to go with white carbon fibre on the hood on a CWP car, so hoping the white paint underneath helps hide any possible stone chips. Hopefully at a minimum since it's not a daily driver. Can't wait to get some pics up!

[shift8]

I saw it done on the owners white mazda 6 and thought it looked pretty good. Given it had just rained and was overcast. Hopefully it comes out ok. All these guys do is vinyl covers so I'm glad they are installing it and not me.


Will also throw a word of caution on your choice of white carbon fiber. It looks extremely tacky since it's more like a milky white and the material is quite difficult to work with and so unless it's used on your roof or some other flat surface, most likely you'll run into issues. I know because my friend runs a business doing vinyl work commercially and another friend she's white carbon fiber on his roof and also had it on his hood.

[craig.meindl]

I would rather go vinyl then paint in my honest opinion. Just cause I've talked to a a lot of wrap places and it's a lot cheaper!!!

[JrCanuck]

Ever considered dip?

[shift8]

Ever considered dip?

Seen it on a few cars. Really don't like the look.

[JrCanuck]

Seen it on a few cars. Really don't like the look.

No worries, Ive just heard it holds up nicely, and know a friend that does dip jobs

[Hyperion]

No worries, Ive just heard it holds up nicely, and know a friend that does dip jobs

We all know your friend

[schmat66]

We all know your friend

go lower your car :)

[Hyperion]

go lower your car :)

Done.
Want it back up too?

[n00bMeiSter]

Vinyl vs. Paint? It's not like the latter is really an option :p At this point, knowing how Mazda is with paint, paper mache holds better.

This statement makes zero sense.
If he repaints his car, it will be done to the normal industry standards, 5 paint 3 clear, or something like that.