Best Car Wraps (Review & Buying Guide) in 2023

I'm just like you and spend almost all of my free time dreaming up different ways for us to modify and decorate our cars. It should come as no surprise that vinyl wraps are something I often spend my imaginary cash on. That's not to say I think my opinion on the subject is that of a true professional, though. Even if I did, my editors make sure that I take the time to do the homework and find out what those who actually live and breathe vinyl wraps have to say. With that thrown in the recipe, I think we've come up with a decent list of vinyl wraps that will get most car owners in the right ballpark.

Again, the 3M 2080 G12 Gloss Black 5ft x 50ft Car Wrap is a great way for beginners to go. It might not be the premier name, but it is a safe bet. However, the VViViD+ Slate Grey Grigio Telesto Gloss 5 Feet x 50 Feet Vinyl Car Wrap is another solid option that's just a bit more affordable. Pros and savants are bound to disagree based on their personal experiences. If that's you, be sure to let us know what you think the best car wrap is! 

The list above doesn’t have the color your heart desires? While they might be super popular colors that look great on anything, it doesn't mean that's what you're looking for. I’m not leaving you to the wolves if you're looking for something a little more suiting to your taste. This buying guide will help you get where you need to be! 

Complete wraps make up the majority of the list above, and they are probably what most car owners are looking for. They offer coverage of the entire vehicle and are designed to take the place of an entire paint job. How much you need depends on the application. For example, the average coupe requires around a 250 square-foot roll of vinyl wrap, while a pickup truck might need somewhere around 375 square feet. 

To determine how much you need exactly, you need to find the length of the vehicle and multiply it by 3 to account for the top and both sides. This tells you the length your car demands, but you should always add in a few more feet to accommodate mistakes. Most wraps have a width of 5 feet, so you simply find the length that works best for your application. 

In the case that you only want to wrap the hood, bumpers, or trim, it isn't worth buying enough wrap to cover the entire car. It's always good to invest in a little extra, but there is such a thing as going overboard. That's why partial wraps are available. 

There are kits out there that are designed specifically for this purpose, and they may label themselves as a trim kit or something similar, as we see with the EzAuto Wraps 3M Chrome Blackout Kit. However, buying smaller rolls that aren't quite enough to cover an entire vehicle can technically qualify as buying a partial wrap. 

What's the main draw to vinyl wraps? They're a great way to add a high-end, highly durable color scheme to your vehicle without spending the thousands of dollars you would need to achieve it with paint. Obviously, that's something marketing departments want to take advantage of.

Adding logos and text is also a great way to make a vehicle stand out, which is something racers and enthusiasts can greatly appreciate. There are even companies that allow you to customize what's present on your car's vinyl wrap. You won't find any commercial or livery-type wraps on the list but, but they are widely available. 

The first thing you're going to be consumed by is the color. In all reality, that's likely what's going to drive your decision the entire way through. However, it is very important to make sure the texture is right to get the effect you're looking for. If multiple manufacturers offer the color or pattern you're interested in, you want to make sure to choose the one that has less of an issue with orange peel. 

Yes, orange peel is an issue that plagues a lot of vinyl wraps out there. No, it isn't as easy to sort out as with paint. Therefore, you'll want to read testimonies to see what other consumers are saying to make sure you choose the product that offers the best finish. 

Vinyl wrapping your car can be much easier and more affordable than repainting it. Still, it's not the kind of job you want to do again in short order. Severe scratches, cracking, fading, and tears will surely lead to the need to do it over. That's why you want to make sure you invest in a highly durable product. 

While most vinyl wraps are more durable than paint, they are not all equal. Take the time to read what others are saying. Find out what they expose it to and how long the product sticks around in the face of adversity. This is the best way to make sure you're getting the most for your money. 

Some vinyl wraps have very aggressive adhesives that make it hard to reposition as you work, while others are more forgiving. This is definitely something worth reading into as it will determine how easily the product goes on. If you're new to this, you want to make sure it's as easy to apply as possible to avoid making mistakes that quickly inflate the cost of applying a vinyl wrap yourself.

You also want to make sure the adhesive does its job. If you determine that lifting is a major issue with a certain product, you'll want to avoid it. Otherwise, you're sure to wind up pulling it all off and invest in another, tackier wrap.

Yes, you know 3M. It played a major role in introducing the world to the Scotch tape brand. With humble beginnings dating back to 1902 in Northern Minnesota, 3M has grown to be one of the most recognizable brands in adhesives, and you'll probably find it on any sticky aftermarket part for your car. 

With roots extending back to 1935, the Avery Dennison name has long been a go too for vehicle wraps and graphics. Its presence can be found in agricultural and industrial settings alongside commercial vehicles, as it's known for producing some of the best wraps available. 

Vvivid is one of the more recognizable names in the world of car wraps thanks to its 30 years of experience. The Montreal-based company has proven itself to be a dependable supplier, and its distribution center in Champlain, N.Y., helps folks across the country get their hands on it. 

EZAuto Wraps set up shop back in 2011 and continues to work out of City of Industry, Calif. It specializes in wraps for vehicles but doesn't produce only its own wrap. It aims to give consumers the best possible prices on products from leading manufacturers like Avery and 3M. 

Rvinyl was founded in 2003 and operates out of Brooklyn, N.Y. Auto parts and accessories of all types are on the roster, most with a cosmetic agenda. Of course, tint and wraps are a part of that, and it works with respectable names like 3M and Avery. 

As with something you do for decades upon decades, you pick up a few tips and tricks along the way in terms of selecting the right product, and/or using it. That’s the case with us and car wraps. To help you bridge the information gap, here’s a selection of what we’ve learned along the way.

You’ve got questions. The Drive has answers!

A: If done right, vinyl car wraps can last an average of 5-7 years. It's all about how well the job is done and how good the materials used are. It's not out of the realm of possibility for a poor wrap job to come short of those expectations. Also, it's not out of the question for premium materials and professional-level installation combined with proper care to produce longer-lasting results. 

A:  So long as there's a healthy layer of paint and solid metal beneath, vinyl wraps are completely safe for use on your car. It can, however, pull away any layers of paint that are already beginning to peel away.

A: How easily vinyl will scratch depends on a few factors. For example, matte colors will scratch easier than gloss, and of course, the quality of the wrap used and how well it's installed will play a big role in determining how well it holds up. At the end of the day, it shouldn't scratch any easier than paint, but it really does depend.