I recently bought a Berlina Black s2000 although many like Berlina Black, it is my least favorite color. I try to avoid buying any black color cars due to exterior care maintenance. My car has never had any accident or paint work so it is not that I am trying to hide a defect.

Therefore, I am toeing with the idea of wrapping the car with a color of my preference (probably 3M blue or pearl white).

Even though I will never sell as I just got it but I am wondering if wrapping a car will generally devalue the car and that's what is making me hesitate in doing it. I am reading a lot of car forums (not just s2k) and the general public consensus is that wrapping a car will devalue the car as it kind of showing you are hiding a defect on the car or something like that. How true is that?

 

Another way to look at it, wrapping protects the paint. Many like that color (though I'm with you, least favorite color). So if you ever did need to sell, pull the wrap and its perfect paint in a color that should sell well.

I think the devalue thing applies to freshly wrapped (what are you hiding? Or wraps that are polarizing colors.)

 

It’s not the wrap itself that devalues the car it’s the ability of the buyer being unable to see the body/paint condition that hurts resale.

This also depends on some other factors such as mileage, vin tags etc on the vehicle but you will not get paid for a wrap. For example if your car has higher mileage you may be in a price range where the person cares less about a scratch and more that as you said it’s never been in an accident. That person may like the wrap or not be worried you are hiding something.

If your car is low mileage and paint is in great condition, I would just say remove the wrap when you sell it. You leave zero unknowns so the car will sell based on its own merit.

You could take photos of paint and a high res video of the wrap being done but overall it’s just another headache during a sale to overcome. If the wrap is for you to enjoy then take it off when you are finished with the car.

just my 2c

 

It may matter less if the car is older and has more miles. Depends on how long you have it. Lets say years from now you want to sell. You may want to keep the wrap on, assuming it is in good shape, and let the buyer decide if he/she likes it as is or wants it removed. You could even offer to remove it if desired and have it detailed/buffed out. If on the other hand your car has very low miles and is stock, then the wrap my detract from the overall value. Personally, I agree with you on black. I would much prefer pearl white but I would know it really is a black car.

Just like Car Analogy stated, wrap protects the paint just like a clear 3M or Expel type of film does. No one quibbles about that stuff.

 

Thanks alot for replies. Yes I know the wrap is more for myself than the next person who will own the car.

I am not looking for potential increase in value but I also not looking to decrease the value of it from potential of wrapping it.

My car is actually a low mileage example and in excellent condition. That's one of the reason of picking it up even thought it is black.

 

Wrapped cars look like crap or cheap repaints as soon as a door, trunk, or hood is opened. Real hooptie look. Get your car ceramic treated and park it indoors. Nothing looks better than a clean black car.

-- Chuck

 

Unless you don't like black cars...

 

lol that's the point of the whole thread. I don't like the color of cars in black.

They are wonderful color for only 5 minutes after wash. Then I have to try to keep them clean and that takes a lot of time. I would rather enjoy driving the car instead of keeping it clean.

If it was any other color except black, I would have kept the color. I had a 911 in black before and I swore I would never own a black car after that. Yet I bought this one. I like to keep my cars in pristine condition and cannot stand seeing dirt/dust on them. Grey/silver has always been my favorite colors as they do hide it pretty well

 

Rarely are their mods that both cater to your unique tastes, can easily be reverted, AND protect the car at the same time.

Other than the cost of the wrap, which can be considered an investment in paint protection, this doesn't seem to have many downsides (so long as you are ok with wraps in general).

 

You could have the paint corrected then ceramic coated. Then some pictures, a High-Resolution walk around, and then wrap it what you like.

I've had success with wrapping some other cars and selling them but that seems to be the best way to keep the buyer's piece of mind about the paint under it.