You’ve likely seen your fair share of gold or chrome wrapped supercars on social media. But have you ever wondered which vehicle is the hardest to wrap? Thankfully Chad MFive of Midnight Protective Films fills in the blanks on TikTok.
Giving it some thought, you’d probably think that the contenders here would be supercars – shhh it’s not a Lamborghini Aventador – with a plethora of weird contours and sharp angles. That would be a good guess, but unfortunately, you’d be wrong; the vehicle in question here is unapologetically difficult to wrap because of the parts and labour involved, not complex bodywork.
Ok we’ll put you out of your misery, according to Chad, the Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen is an absolute nightmare to colour swap – so much so that he said he’ll likely never wrap one again. In order to do the job properly, almost every exterior panel has to be removed, wrapped, and then replaced – all while keeping the factory panel gaps in check.
Regardless of whether you’re looking to go full video game spec with your G-Wagen or just want to swap the colour and finish, we’d wager that it will likely cost you a pretty penny. While a vinyl covering can produce a fantastic aesthetic, many opt to go that route instead of a full respray because it’s much cheaper. However, we’d be remiss not to mention that those looking to wrap such a luxurious vehicle probably aren’t that worried about the finances involved.
Aside from Chad’s feelings about the nightmare involved with wrapping such a vehicle, it’s refreshing to see that he’s committed to doing the job right. As such, he now owns a very successful vinyl wrapping business that also does paint-protection film and window tint.
FAQs
Ok we'll put you out of your misery, according to Chad, the Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen is an absolute nightmare to colour swap – so much so that he said he'll likely never wrap one again.
What car are you not allowed to wrap? ›
Classic and Retro Cars
With all the respect to collectors and restoration enthusiasts, wrapping is a child of the modern world. It is not designed for older cars. There are a few reasons for that. The body shape on the classic cars is in most cases not intended for wrapping.
What is the most durable car wrap? ›
Avery Dennison is one of the most popular brands of wrap on the market because of its extreme durability, application speed, and a huge choice of colors and finishes.
How hard is it to vinyl wrap a car yourself? ›
It is a highly time consuming, hard job that requires a lot of focus. You have to spend countless hours on a full wrap. You should also know about the different kinds of vinyl sheets and how they behave differently from each other as this affects the application process.
How much does a G-Wagon cost? ›
The price of the 2024 Mercedes-Benz G-class is expected to start around $144,150 and go up to $167,000 depending on the trim and options. With a starting price over $140k, it's a good bet that most buyers won't be too concerned about ponying up for a few options.
What ruins car wrap? ›
Excessive sun exposure has the potential to bake the vinyl wrap material into your vehicle. Don't leave your vinyl wrapped vehicle parked outside without shade all the time in Phoenix or Scottsdale. Sun will also fade even the best wraps over time.
Is vinyl wrap bad for your car? ›
While some say that vinyl wraps damage the paint on your vehicle, it is actually the opposite. When installed properly by experienced installers, vehicle wraps are a great layer of protection for the paint from sun exposure and small debris.
Is car wrapping illegal in USA? ›
Local Regulations and Permits:
- City and State Laws: car wrap regulations vary significantly depending on your location. Some cities or states may have specific rules regarding the use of wraps, especially for commercial vehicles. For instance, New York City prohibits full wraps on taxis due to visibility concerns.
What is the best car wrap brand in the world? ›
When it comes to car wraps, one brand that stands out prominently is 3M. Renowned for its innovative solutions in various industries, 3M brings its expertise to the world of automotive customization with a range of car wrap options.
What color vinyl wrap lasts the longest? ›
The most long-lasting color of the vinyl wrap is white. It is the safest bet.
Popular colors are popular for a reason: they look really good! For a classic wrap color, look at neutral shades like black, white, gray, and silver. It's hard to go wrong with these timeless colors; they will look good on any vehicle at any size.
How much vinyl wrap for a whole car? ›
Small size cars can be fully wrapped with 50 to 55 feet / 15 to 16.8 meters of vinyl. Midsize cars can be fully wrapped with 60 to 65 feet / 18.3 to 19.8 meters of vinyl.
Can you use soapy water to apply vinyl wrap? ›
💧👇 The soapy water acts as an application fluid, allowing the vinyl to float on the surface during installation. This prevents pre-adhesion, so the material won't stick before you're ready to position it perfectly.
How much does it cost to get an AG wagon wrapped? ›
The size of the vehicle, the type of vinyl used, the complexity of the design, and the installer's degree of experience may all significantly impact the cost of car wraps. A professional car wrap often costs $2,500 to $6,000 or more.
Can you wrap a Mercedes Benz? ›
This is where vinyl car wraps come in! Vinyl wraps are applied to Mercedes Benz not only because of the insane variety of colors, patterns, and aesthetics they offer, but the protective coat that they create over the body of your car.
What's so special about a Mercedes G Wagon? ›
It comes with a six-wheel drive, a twin-turbo V-8, and about a foot and a half of ground clearance. This baby can also wade through about three feet of water, and do so with ease. And even though they look pretty rough and rugged on the outside, the interior of these cars is actually quite luxurious.
Does the G-Wagon roll over? ›
You can't cheat physics, so despite being equipped with electronic stability control the G still is very prone to rollover because of its high centre of gravity.
