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05-05-2021, 01:14 PM
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#1
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Member
Join Date: Apr 2021
Posts: 41
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Wrap vs Paint
What would be the cheaper/better option?
Extended Chevy express, would like to go from white to an avalanche gray color. Maybe matte would be cool if I went with the wrap. Would like to hear from your experiences with wraps or paint jobs on these larger vans.
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05-05-2021, 03:46 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Eugene, Oregon
Posts: 1,131
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I've had a wrap on my Express for 4 years now. Its outlived it life and will be replaced this summer but I'm glad i have had it. Saved my paint from a fair amount of pin striping and rock damage. Now I'll have a basically brand new looking van when I do it again this summer. Far cheaper than a nice paint job as well.
__________________
2015 Chevy Express 3500 Duramax
w/ Quigley 4x4 & Agile Fox shocks
Sold 2005 E350 Chateau
Quigley with Agile RIP, 6.0 PSD
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05-05-2021, 05:04 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: Denver Colorado
Posts: 820
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What does a full wrap cost? Are there thicker materials that can change the price?
__________________
2002 e350 window eb,
7.3
CCV high top
Conversion in process. Lol
Denver, CO
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05-05-2021, 08:02 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: TN
Posts: 10,244
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Quote:
Originally Posted by WhitH
I've had a wrap on my Express for 4 years now. Its outlived it life and will be replaced this summer but I'm glad i have had it. Saved my paint from a fair amount of pin striping and rock damage. Now I'll have a basically brand new looking van when I do it again this summer. Far cheaper than a nice paint job as well.
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I thought that until I priced them. Places around here want 4 grand for a wrap. Seems like that's more than a custom paint job but I haven't priced paint in a long time. I do know that materials (the paint itself, etc.) has gone way up but not sure about the work.
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05-05-2021, 08:18 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: San Clemente, CA
Posts: 1,380
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In my limited experience, the wrap sticks better than the paint. So it doesn't last as long (3-5 years) but then you still have paint underneath. If you color change with paint it's sticking to the bad GM paint underneath.
I would wrap.
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05-05-2021, 09:47 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Eugene, Oregon
Posts: 1,131
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My wrap was around $2k when I had it done 4 years ago.
__________________
2015 Chevy Express 3500 Duramax
w/ Quigley 4x4 & Agile Fox shocks
Sold 2005 E350 Chateau
Quigley with Agile RIP, 6.0 PSD
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05-05-2021, 10:05 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: TN
Posts: 10,244
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I would possibly pay up to 2k if it was done well. I remember when 2k would get you a really nice paint job though so I guess that's why I have trouble with this.
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05-05-2021, 10:13 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Eugene, Oregon
Posts: 1,131
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Yea I think the days of a good paint job at that cost are over for a full sized van. Heck they may be over for a wrap too, lots have changed in the last 4 years!
__________________
2015 Chevy Express 3500 Duramax
w/ Quigley 4x4 & Agile Fox shocks
Sold 2005 E350 Chateau
Quigley with Agile RIP, 6.0 PSD
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05-05-2021, 11:19 PM
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#9
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Member
Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 43
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I did a bit of research when I got my van last May. The true cheapest option is to do it yourself with Raptor liner or a similar brand. I think I did my van for under $1500 but had to rent a spray booth due to my living situation. If you have a good space for it at home, you can do it for under $1000. It is a lot of work though, do not underestimate how much work is involved with sanding the existing clear coat off. As mentioned before though, Chevy’s factory paint jobs suck! I am also very happy with how it came out and the robustness of the paint thus far on a few off-road adventures with branches and things hitting the sides with no visible makes, which would not likely be the case with paint or a wrap.
I documented a lot of it on my van build thread if you are interested: https://www.sportsmobileforum.com/fo...awd-26987.html
__________________
2009 Chevy Express 1500 AWD SMB
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05-06-2021, 12:54 AM
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#10
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Member
Join Date: Apr 2021
Posts: 41
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Those that have removed a wrap, did you notice any razor cuts? I recently saw a video of a bmw that was wrapped and the owner had razor cuts into the paint everywhere that they cut the excess off. That kind of has me a little worried going that route.
I’ve never seen a wrap up close either. Would you say the edges are pretty unnoticeable? The video above had terrible edges around everything (obviously just a bad wrap tech).
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