How much does it cost to wrap a truck? We’ll go over the different options for wrapping your truck since there are several different ways to do it. Keep reading for the average prices and information.
A truck wrap can range in price depending on how much space you need to be covered. You could spend as little as $1,000 if you only want a partial wrap. Costs for a full-coverage wrap range from $1,500 to $6,000. You can likely wrap your truck yourself for under $2,000 if you have manual labor skills.
Read on to find more detailed information.
How Much Does It Cost to Wrap a Truck? Types of Truck Wraps
When redesigning your truck, truck wraps offer you a lot of flexibility. Wrapping can be used to accomplish your goals, whether you only want to focus on one area or completely transform the car. In addition, unlike the paint job on a typical vehicle, wrapping can be printed in a solid color or with more options for advertising.
| Partial | Full (Small Truck) | Full (Average Truck) | Full (Semi-Truck) | |
| Professional | $1,000 | $1,500 | $2,000-$3,000 | $4,000 |
| DIY | $1,000 | $2,000 |
Professional
The simplest and least expensive option is definitely hiring a professional truck wrap company. The cost of truck wrapping is influenced by the truck’s size and the amount of vinyl used.
The least expensive choice is partial wraps. Typically, partial wraps will cover the hood or bumper. Additionally, if you’re looking for advertising, some partial wraps will make a customized design for your car to promote your company locally. On average, the price of these partial wraps will be $1,000. Obviously, this figure will change, and decals will cost significantly less.
On all types of vehicles, full wraps are offered if you want more protection. The cost of a full wrap varies depending on the size of the vehicle. Your budget should be in the range of $1,500 for a smaller truck. A larger truck might be a bit more expensive, perhaps $2,000 or $3,000. However, if you want more detail or even multiple layers, the price for both sizes of vehicles can go up to $6,000. Last but not least, wrapping your vehicle will cost about $4,000 to cover the larger area if you drive a semi-truck.
DIY
Although DIY vehicle wraps are possible, they are not typically advised. The task may require some practice. Additionally, errors can be very costly. You essentially have to start over when you make an error when putting on vinyl. Additionally, you usually need an extra set of hands to assist, so you would need to recruit a trustworthy friend. While DIY truck wrapping saves you money on labor, you still need to buy the necessary supplies. Below are some of the common tools you’ll need to start:
- An Undamaged Paint Job
- Grease and Wax Remover
- General Cleaner
- Isopropyl Alcohol
- Measuring Tape
- Lint-Free Rags
- Squeegee
- Utility Knife
- Cutting Tape
- Heat Gun
- Infrared Thermometer
- Safety Glasses
- Cotton Wrap Gloves
The vinyl itself is the last thing you’ll need. The average price per square foot for vinyl is $10. While a larger truck may require up to 100 feet of vinyl, a smaller truck only needs about 80 feet. That implies that the vinyl alone might set you back $800 to $1,000. After getting these supplies, you’ll need to wrap the car by hand. You should expect to pay between $1,000 and $2,000 on average for the materials.
Car Wrap Cost Vs. Paint Job
Vinyl wrapping is much less expensive than traditional painting, which is one of its main advantages. A vinyl wrap will cost a small fraction of what a high-quality new paint job might, which can run up to $5000.
Paint jobs are also not nearly as long-lasting as vinyl wraps. While many secondary paint jobs will start to fade and chip after only a few years, vinyl wraps can last up to five years with the right maintenance.
Partially Wrapped Vehicles
You might want to think about wrapping your car only partially if you’re looking for a more affordable option. Only a portion of the vehicle, such as the hood, roof, door, or trunk, is covered by partial wraps, which start at around $500.
You can achieve the look of a full vinyl wrap without the expense by using partial vinyl wraps. They are also much simpler to remove than full wraps, allowing you to switch up your design more frequently if you like.
Partial Vs. Full Car Wrap Cost
Usually, a partial wrap costs half as much as a full wrap. The fact that a partial wrap won’t offer as much coverage as a full wrap must be kept in mind.
A complete car wrap is the best option if you want to get the most exposure. A partial wrap is a great alternative, though, if you’re on a tight budget or just want to try it out. If you have a large fleet of trucks to wrap, then this might make sense.
What Factors Determine the Cost of a Vinyl Wrap?
When it comes to wrapping up your truck, there are several determinants involved in gauging the cost. These are as follows:
- The size and make of your truck, as well as how much vinyl is required to cover it, must be determined first.
- The size of the area that needs to be covered affects both the cost and the amount of vinyl needed. You must choose between a full or partial wrap. As is obvious, partial wraps are much more affordable and simple to install. Additionally, if you are vinyl wrapping your truck for advertising, you don’t need to cover the roof because no one will see it.
- What kind of vinyl you intend to use is an additional important consideration. When it comes to colors and finishes, vinyl comes in a huge variety. The cost of these varies as well. There are more expensive movies than others. The vinyl you select will therefore have an impact on the final price of wrapping your truck.
- Would a readily available wrap do, or would you prefer to design and print your own decal? It obviously costs more to create a custom truck livery, have it printed, and then install it.
- How will the vinyl be installed, lastly? It won’t be that expensive if you have the necessary skills and decide to do it yourself. On the other hand, using an automotive expert’s services will increase the overall cost. Even though it is more expensive, we would advise choosing the latter option because it will produce an ideal and flawless job ensuring the longevity of the vinyl.
Read about How Much Does It Cost to Tow a Car?
Why Do I Need a Vinyl Wrap?
If “because they’re super cool” is not a good enough reason for you, we’ve got a few more to share. Wraps have a lot to offer, from marketing to changing the look and feel of your truck to adding a layer of protection to the body of your car.
But since there isn’t just one more crucial factor to take into account when choosing a truck wrap, here are the top three most common justifications.
- Marketing
Vinyl wraps are a great option if you’re looking for a low-cost way to promote your company. Traditional paint jobs are much more expensive and short-lived than wraps. Wraps can be printed with just about anything, so intricate graphics and logos are an option!
According to research, this kind of advertising can actually be profitable. In fact, over time, you’ll spend more money on less successful forms of advertising. Per MILLION impressions, car wraps can be purchased for less than $44!
- Variety
Business isn’t everything. Want to add something eye-catching to your car to change the way it looks? The options are endless, whether you want a solid color that is hard to find or a trendy pattern you’ve seen on other cars.
In addition, vinyl wraps are a fantastic choice for leased vehicles because they can be removed without harming the paint underneath.
- Protection
The extra layer of protection a vehicle wrap gives your truck’s original paint is one of the major advantages it offers. As a barrier, the vinyl keeps the paint shielded from everyday wear-and-tear-induced nicks and scratches.
Remove your truck’s wrap after five years to reveal flawless paint! a great way to keep your car’s value high when you sell it.
How to Wrap a Truck?
Here are the details:
- PrepareYour Truck to be Wrapped
Your truck needs to be properly prepared before you begin the application of a wrap.
Prior to wrapping your car, make sure to wash it. A clean vehicle will have much better success with the vinyl than one that is dirty. While any reputable shop ought to have the resources to wash your truck before they start, it’s customary to simplify things as much as you can to help your installation be fail-proof. (This guide will go over how to wash a car at home and some frequently asked questions about best practices for washing cars in order to assist you in keeping your car clean.)
The state of your paint is something else to think about. The wrap you apply may not turn out perfectly if the body of your truck is full of dings and dents. The areas where the wrap meets the dent may have imperfections. In addition, even if your truck has been wrapped, any rust on it could cause damage to your car to continue. As a result, many installers will decline to wrap a rusted vehicle because doing so puts their work’s quality and durability in jeopardy.
- Apply a Truck Wrap
A truck must be properly prepared before it can be wrapped, which frequently entails performing a full detailing service to make sure nothing on the paint surface could prevent the wrap from adhering to the truck properly.
Different truck components may need to be removed in order to properly apply the wrap, depending on the vehicle and the wrap style. This typically includes components like the bumpers and lights on your car. These items are temporarily removed in order to give the person installing the wrap proper access.
The wrap must then be precisely positioned and applied to each panel, being sure to smooth out any air bubbles and creases that form. To help with adhesion and shrink the wrap into its final position, a heat gun is frequently employed. Complex graphics sometimes require the application of multiple layers in order to create the final product.
- Maintain Your Truck Wrap
Any vehicle wrap’s main risks are typically environmental, but a well-maintained truck wrap can last for several years. The vinyl may become stressed and develop microscopic cracks and fissures as a result of extremely cold or hot temperatures.
The best place for a wrapped truck to be parked in the summer is in a garage or a shaded area. It will be shielded from the most intense heat and fading brought on by exposure to sunlight.
It’s crucial to regularly wash your wrapped truck in colder climates where road salt is pervasive. In addition to damaging the wrap, salt can eat away at your truck’s undercarriage.
The good news is that your wrap is enduring this abuse while safeguarding the paint job below. A new wrap can be installed for the same price as the original installation, plus typically an extra $500 for the labor to remove the old wrap.
How Long Does It Take to Wrap a Truck?
Your truck might be completely wrapped in less than ten hours if there are enough hands available. More frequently, it will typically take two or three days to completely wrap a vehicle.
If you choose to wrap the car yourself, you should plan on the job taking up to a week. Your timeline will be significantly longer if you have to learn the entire process from scratch. Additionally, your vehicle needs a 24-hour curing period in order to be ready in rain or shine.
FAQs
How Do I Prepare My Truck to Be Wrapped?
The first step is to thoroughly clean your truck with a microfiber cloth and mild soap so that the wrap will stick to it. Scratches and dents should then be removed. When they are wrapped, they become amplified and more obvious.
Can You Wrap a Rusty Truck?
No, it is not advised to wrap any vehicle with rust or dents because it will ruin the appearance and the rust will continue to eat away at your truck.
How Do I Maintain My Truck Wrap?
Maintaining the appearance of your wrap can be greatly helped by proper storage and cleaning. Use non-abrasive cleaning supplies and park your truck out of the sun and inclement weather.
Can You Wrap An Old Truck?
You can, just make sure the body isn’t rusted or damaged in any way. Pick a matte or glossy vinyl that will look good on a vintage truck. The overall appearance of an old truck will not be enhanced if you choose a chrome wrap.
Summary: How Much Does It Cost to Wrap a Truck?
The best thing to keep you moving forward happily is occasionally an environment update. Wrapping your truck might be the best option if you want to make aesthetic changes, do some simple advertising, or just give it a little facelift. Although the costs will vary, doing some research will help make the differences much less jarring.
You should budget about $1,000 if you choose a partial wrap. You should budget $1,500 to $6,000 for the process if you want more coverage. It should only cost you less than $2,000 to do it yourself if you choose to get your hands dirty.
Hopefully, your new truck’s design turns more heads in awe than in horror.
If you have any questions, please leave a comment. KV Auto tries to give you the best car industry information. Thank you for reading.
