There are some amongst us who like to express themselves. For many of us, we express ourselves through our words, our interests, or our styles. When it comes to truck enthusiasts, some like to express themselves through their vehicles.
Whether it be for business or pleasure, there’s a large number of truck owners who don’t want to drive around with a boring factory paint job. They want to make a truly lasting impression, and while a new paint job can cost a pretty penny, applying a quality vehicle wrap can be a worthwhile alternative.
Let’s explain both the costs and varying factors that go into wrapping a truck and provide a ballpark price range for those interested in undergoing this endeavor.
Full vs. Partial Wraps
Despite their appearance, many vehicle wraps are not manufactured as a single piece. Instead, they come in several pieces, each designed for different panels and parts of the body. A full wrap covers the entire paint job on every portion of the truck, whereas a partial wrap only covers a portion of the vehicle, usually the rear and/or the tailgate.
As you might expect, a full wrap requires more material than a partial, as well as additional labor. With this in mind, it’s logical to account for a higher price point when considering a full wrap.
Applying a Truck Wrap
Before a truck can be properly wrapped, it first needs to be prepared, which often includes performing a full detailing service to ensure nothing on the paint surface could cause the wrap to not adhere properly to the truck.
Depending on the vehicle and the wrap style, different truck components may need to be removed to apply the wrap properly. In nearly all cases, this includes items like your vehicle’s lights and bumpers. The reason these items are temporarily removed is to provide proper access to whoever is installing the wrap.
The wrap should then be carefully positioned and applied on each panel, making sure to smooth out any air bubbles and creases that develop. A heat gun is often used to aid with adhesion and shrink the wrap into its final position. In some instances, multiple layers must be applied to create the final product, which is sometimes required to create complex graphics.
How Much Does it Cost?
Understanding how a wrap is applied gives us some context on the cost of application. However, it should come as no surprise that the price can dramatically vary. A small wrap on a simple truck may be relatively cheap, while a full wrap with lots of complicated elements may be far more expensive.
One determining factor in how expensive (or not) it is to wrap a truck is the complexity of the application. If a wrap kit contains multiple pieces or your truck’s bumper covers are difficult to remove, installers must account for this. Increased labor or complexity are all but sure to add to the cost of having your wrap installed. Similarly, a four-door crew cab will likely require more material than a two-door cab, so the price will probably also be higher.
In most situations, a simple wrap on a small truck can start as low as $1,500. However, If you are looking for a full wrap on a larger truck with multiple layers, it could run you as much as $5,000. The only way to know for sure is to get an estimate from a reputable establishment for a particular wrap on a specific truck.
Preparing Your Truck to be Wrapped
Before you undergo the process of applying a wrap to your truck, you must prepare the vehicle accordingly.
Make sure you wash your car before applying a wrap. The vinyl will adhere to a clean vehicle much better than it will adhere to a dirty one. While any reputable shop should have the wherewithal to wash your truck before they begin, it’s a common courtesy to make things as easy as possible to help fail proof your installation.
Another thing to take into consideration is the condition of your paint. If the body of your truck is full of dings and dents, the wrap you apply may not come out looking perfect. Imperfections may be visible in the spots where the wrap meets the dent. Furthermore, if your truck has any rust, it may continue eating away at your car even if it’s been covered with a wrap. For this reason, many installers will refuse to wrap a rusty vehicle, as the quality and longevity of their work are put at risk.
Maintaining Your Truck Wrap
A well-maintained truck wrap can last for several years; however, any vehicle wrap’s main hazards are usually environmental. Extreme cold and hot sweltering conditions can stress the vinyl, causing it to develop tiny cracks and fissures.
It’s best to keep a wrapped truck parked in a garage or the shade in the summer. This will protect it from the worst of the heat and the fading caused by sunlight exposure.
In colder climates, where road salt is ubiquitous, it’s essential to frequently wash your wrapped truck. Salt can not only eat away at your truck’s undercarriage, but it can also damage the wrap.
The good news is that while your wrap is taking this abuse, it’s doing so by protecting the paint job underneath. A wrap can be replaced for the same price as the initial installation cost, often with an additional $500 added for the labor of removing the old wrap.
Summary
Though multiple factors determine the cost of wrapping a truck, most trucks cost between $1,500 and $5,000 to wrap. Some of these determining factors include the wrap’s size, the complexity of the design, and the vehicle type. When properly maintained, a truck wrap will last for as long as five to seven years and provide drivers with the look and protection they covet. If you want to learn more, read more of our insightful articles and guides online!