I originally wanted to vinyl wrap my car but recently came across liquid wrapping aka plastic dipping a whole car instead. Colors seem to be exactly the same and removal is very easy as well. Vinyl wrapping my entire car would cost me $1800 while plastic dipping would only cost me $800! Opinions and ideas please! Thanks guys

 

I think vinyl wraps are more expensive because you need to precisely polish every corner and sides to make sure it fits properly and no air bubbles.

I would stick with plastic dip. When you are bored or want a new color, just rip it off I also believe they both have a different texture. Maybe you should look at a wrapped car and a plastic dip car to see what you like the most.

 

I did on Google and honestly couldn't tell the difference at all lol

 

Would be nice if you could see them in person, never seen a dipped car but have seen several well done wrap jobs and they look excellent when installed properly.
If you're one to get bored easily w/ a cars' look then dipping may be preferred, but I think if you want a more quality result the wrap FTW.

 

Awesome can of worms here.

So, by the nature of your question I will surmise that you are not overly familiar with dipping. Not to worry. I've spent 30 or more hours studying and learning. I'll do my best to provide you with any info I may have acquired.

Allow me to preface this by saying that: 1. I have not had dipped nor personally dipped a car. 2. I am not an expert, just well informed. 3. I certainly don't represent nor am I affiliated with any companies involved in dipping.

Now, to your question requiring advantages of wrap v dip and the contrary. Wrapping, in our case, is the process by which one applies vinyl to a vehicle in order to change the color and appearance. There are a number of reasons that wrap should be a consideration. It looks quite good when done properly. The range of colors, patterns, finishes (matte, satin, gloss, etc.), textures and levels of reflectivity are nearly endless. If you can think of it, it's likely achievable. Wrapping can be undone with some degree of ease and leaves the finish just as it was prior to wrapping. The downsides to wrap are few but glaring.

Where the look is good the repairs are difficult, if not impossible. Rock chips, door dings and tears are made more obvious if the contrast between wrap and car color are significant. It is nearly impossible to "fill" nicks and tears. But, if the area is reasonably small, it is easy enough to rewrap the area in need. Keep in mind rewrapping a small area will show more profoundly if the rest of the wrap has faded.

Fading is an inevitable occurrence with vinyl. Length of time and exposure to elements (especially the sun) will cause fading. But, peel it off and rewrap it. Problem solved.

I will cover dipping tomorrow. It's time to retire here. If for some reason I don't wake tomorrow, dip it yourself. Buy everything you need from Dip Your Car. Watch all of the DYC videos. I'm planning on making the investment myself. Hopefully, more on that tomorrow.

 

Who am I kidding? I don't sleep.

So, before continuing the wrap v dip discussion, let me give a brief background on my purchase of the G37 as it directly relates to this thread. I was shopping for and made a few offers on cts-v coupes and cayman s porsches. I had decided on a vinyl wrap in matte white for the cayman and matte blue metallic for the cts-v. Then I saw a vossen car that changed the game for me. It was Atomic Teal wrapped with an ipl kit. Fking beautiful. So, G it would be. Vinyl, ipl and Vossens were to bring it all together. Then I found dip your car and the dyc channel on YouTube. Game. Changer. Needless to say that, after spending some time here and instagram, it became apparent that everyone had gone the ipl route and I wasn't going to be the last to join the trend. So, ipl was off the list for sure. Vinyl had now been replaced by dip and wheels are going to be way down the mod list.

So, dip. I've dipped my wheels, dipped the chrome eyesore trim, spoiler (also, formerly eyesore chrome), and badges. It's a pretty incredible product. But, a whole car? Well that seemed like one hell of a task. Not to mention that: 1. I don't own spray equipment (guns, hoses, compressor, mixers, booth, respirators, etc). 2. The investment seemed a high price to pay for personal use (after my car, what the hell else would I be dipping?) 3. I'm not a professional sprayer/applicator.

But, I was quoted $1200 for my vert. to have it "professionally" done. In doing the math, I calculated, all in for me to buy the pro spray whatever or rather complete car kit plus dip and all accessories at $800. So, if/when I dip, I'll dip myself.

Why dip for me and not wrap?
1. I can do it myself. Literally no one else needed. I love doing the work myself whenever possible and thus project would have a dramatic and pleasing before and after effect.
2. Touch ups are easy too. You can "fill" dings and chips.
3. Like vinyl, it acts as a paint and finish protectant.
4. Easy, if not enjoyable to peel and remove.
5. Peel it and spray a new color any time. This will require investment in more black base, new top coat color and pearls/tints/flips. But, the equipment will still be on hand anytime I want a new color.
6. It's not easy. But, it certainly isn't hard. Watch a few dozen videos and see for yourself. I believe myself to be more intelligent than a few of the guys that do a fine job with their cars.
7. Customer service is available and DYC really knows their stuff.
8. I'll have the equipment and know how if I wanted to spray someone else's car or parts.
9. There are easily 6 colors or varieties that I would like to have now (among more than 40 I've seen) and the industry is growing rapidly. There will be dozens more in the months and years to come.
10. Not "everyone" is doing it. I'm not in the game to be trendy. I'm here to establish my expression automotively. The irony is that half a dozen members will say that dip looks s#!t and not have the first clue what a properly dipped car or car part looks. The same person that was number 214 to convert to ipl bumpers and skirts.

So, wrap or dip? It's similar to iPhone or Android. They both work well and have each garnered a following. It's ultimately up to your preference. If you can have your car dipped by a professional for $800, that might be the way to go. If you want to do it yourself, it'll cost roughly the same and be a badass Diy, then do that. If you find there is a vinyl that looks great and dip just doesn't produce that same look, then wrap it. Either way, keep us posted.

 

I can't even begin to thank you for all that information truly very helpful! And that 2nd post about you never sleeping made me crack up laughing! Will definitely keep everyone posted with pictures as well in the upcoming month. Thanks again man!