Wrapping a car yourself costs around $700 to $1,500 on average, depending on the vinyl quality and vehicle type.
Read on to discover the factors affecting DIY wrap costs and the average cost range for wrapping different types of vehicles.
How Much Does It Cost to Wrap a Car Yourself? Factors Affecting DIY Wrap Costs
Various factors affect the total cost of wrapping a car yourself:
- Vinyl: $5 to $15 per square foot. Prices vary depending on the film type and roll size. High-quality brands like 3M and Avery Dennison and specialty finishes like carbon fiber and color-shifting wraps cost more. Vinyl film for wrapping a standard sedan with a simple finish, like gloss black or matte black vinyl, may cost between $500 and $700.
- Squeegees and Tucking Tools: Under $400
- Heat Gun: $50 to $100
- Infrared Thermometer: $20 to $100
- Cutting Tools/Wrap Blades: $30 to $60
- Other Supplies (Tape Measure, Microfiber Towels, Spray Bottle, Alcohol, Lint-Free Gloves, Car Wash Soap, Clay Bar): Up to $100
Your total costs will be much lower if you already have most of the necessary tools and supplies on hand.
At National Car Wraps, we’ve wrapped thousands of vehicles over the years and found that using premium vinyl makes the installation process a lot smoother.
Don’t settle for cheap vinyl. It’s much harder to install and less durable, no matter how many YouTube tutorials you watch!
Even if it initially saves you money, you’ll likely spend more in the long run, especially if hot weather ruins your vinyl car wrap and you have to redo some of the panels.
Pro Tip: Be prepared to make mistakes. Buy 10% to 15% extra vinyl so you don’t run out of material even if you’re confident that you’ve measured all panels accurately and you know every step to wrap a car.
Average DIY Wrap Cost Range for Different Vehicle Types
Here’s a chart summarizing the average DIY vinyl wrap costs in the U.S.
| Vehicle Type | Average Wrap Costs |
| Sedan | $500 to $900 |
| Small SUV | $600 to $1,000 |
| Large SUV/Sedan and Pickup Truck | $700 to $1,100 |
| Small Van | $700 to $1,200 |
| Large Van | $900 to $1,300 |
| Commercial Vehicle/Truck | $1,100 to $2,000 |
In comparison, professional wrap installation ranges from $2,000 to $4,000 for midsized vehicles and $2,500 to $5,000 for larger vehicles. Wrapping commercial vehicles costs up to $7,000 or higher.
Should I Wrap a Car Myself?
A DIY car wrap project is much harder than it looks!
You can certainly wrap a car yourself, but it won’t guarantee professional-looking and long-lasting results.
If you don’t have the time, skills, confidence, and workspace to do the job right, it’s best to hire an experienced installer and save yourself from loads of stress (because you’ll definitely make a mistake or two, or maybe twenty really).
Remember, improper installation may damage your vehicle’s original paint job and reveal unsightly imperfections, like creases, bubbles, peeling edges, or discolored patches.
Skip the DIY hassle and let our pros handle it.
At National Car Wraps, our professional 3M-certified installers meticulously wrap every vehicle. You’ll get a vibrant wrap that looks amazing and lasts for years.
Contact us now for a custom car wrap quote!
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