How Wrapping Your Car Can Effect Its Value
What’s the potential pitfall of having a car wrapped? Does it damage the paint, affect resale values and alternatives
Wrapping a car has become very popular, and it’s not unusual for owners to feel like wrapping their car in a different or unique colour enhances their ownership experience. The problem arises when you come to sell a wrapped car.
Things To Consider Before Having A Car Wrapped
There are a few vital considerations for having a car wrapped.
Present Condition Of The Paint
Wrapping a car with a few stone chips, etc, isn’t a real problem until you come to remove the wrap. If the wrap removal removes a tiny bit of lacquer on every panel, then a repaint of the entire car may be required. For this reason, in our opinion, you should only consider wrapping a nearly new car or at least a car with very few miles and perfect paintwork.
Choosing A Wrapping Company
We’d recommend that you choose a well-known wrapping company, such as Yiannimize or Topaz Detailing both have an excellent reputation and a high public profile.
The most important part of wrapping a vehicle is ensuring the company doesn’t cut into the underlying paint. Doing so will cause significant problems later on when you come to have the wrap removed.
Good wrapping companies will advise on preparing your vehicle to be wrapped. You should always take detailed photos of your car’s paintwork right before and during the wrap, as this will help make a dealer confident to buy a wrapped car later on.
Removing The Wrap
Careful removal is just as important as application; dont attempt this yourself; the best people to unwrap your car are the same people who wrapped it in the first place for all the reasons we’ve given above.
Alternatives To Wrapping Your Car
What is removable paint?
Peelable Paint is a unique paint that covers up any existing automobile colour. Once applied, Peelable Paint bonds directly to metal and glass, so it won’t ever bubble or fade. They claim it’s fully removable and won’t leave a residue or damage the underlying finish.
Of course, because they dont cut wrapping material against any part of the car, it eliminates the possibility of damaging the surface of the car’s original finish in that way.
It can last up to 3 years before it starts to degrade and needs removing.
Removing it, though, can be messy and potentially, dealers are even less likely to buy a car with this type of finish without it being removed.
Paint Protection Film
Paint protection film is not usually used to enhance a car’s look but to protect the paint. So, rather than see it as an obstacle, dealers welcome it as an additional benefit. It won’t increase the value of your car drastically, but if it prevents typical chipping, it can, in effect, pay for itself.
Tinted and matt films are starting to appear as an alternative to wrapping your car, which, when done right, won’t cause any issue with resale.
Why Do Car Dealers Dislike Like Buying Wrapped Cars
- Resale Value: Wraps can affect the resale value of a vehicle. The appearance of a wrapped car may put some buyers off or cause them to be concerned about the paint’s condition underneath. This can make it more challenging for dealerships to resell wrapped vehicles, as they may have to invest in removing the wrap and restoring the original paint.
- Inconsistent Quality: The quality of vehicle wraps can vary widely, and dealers may be concerned about the durability and appearance of the wrap. Poorly installed or low-quality wraps may not protect the vehicle’s paint effectively or could detract from its overall appearance.
- Maintenance and Repairs: Wraps require regular maintenance to keep them looking good and to prevent damage to the underlying paint. Dealerships may not want to be responsible for maintaining the wrap or handling repairs if damaged.
- Warranty Concerns: Some vehicle manufacturers’ warranties may be affected by the installation of a wrap, as they typically cover the original paint finish but not modifications or aftermarket additions. Dealerships may be hesitant to deal with warranty-related issues.
- Limited Market Appeal: Not all potential buyers are interested in wrapped cars, and dealerships may worry that a wrapped car will have a smaller target market. This can lead to a longer time on the lot and potentially lower resale values.
- Removal Process: Removing a vehicle wrap can be time-consuming and costly, and dealerships may not want to invest in this process if they believe it will detract from their profitability.
- Uncertainty About the Underlying Paint: Dealerships may be concerned about the condition of the underlying paint on a wrapped car. If the paint has imperfections or damage hidden by the wrap, it could lead to buyer disputes.
- Aesthetics: A wrap design is a matter of personal taste; what one person finds appealing, another may not. Dealerships may be reluctant to take on wrapped cars with designs that don’t align with their target market’s preferences.
While some dealerships may be open to selling wrapped cars, these potential challenges can make them more cautious when considering such vehicles for their inventory. Sellers and buyers of wrapped cars need to communicate openly with dealerships about the condition and history of the vehicle, including details about the wrap and its installation.
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