Vinyl or paint job?

[Allenya1202]

I have a e30 1992 325ic Black. I had this car for a while in the garage and when i took it out it had ton of scratches everywhere. I am planing to change the color because i already have 2 other black ones. I need opinions on What color to make it? Vinyl or paintjob? How much would it be to vinyl it just the materials? [i am plaining to do it myself to learn something] i am not planing to spend more than 400$
Thanks

[navid41691]

With a 400 dollar budget you can completely rule out a paint job unless you take it to macco or do it yourself with a matte color such as this

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=236723

(a matte spray paint job will hide the flaws of the paint and body unlike a gloss paint)

And as far as vinyl goes, you should be able to get the materials for around 400 (depending on quality of vinyl)

[Allenya1202]

Wow thats from a spray can!? That look great.
any tips using that method other than u posted?

[MaxBell]

Google "$50 Paint Job".

[navid41691]

Just take your time prepping the body/masking and use long even horizontal strokes?

Also search "paint your car at home" or something. You can find more in depth tips. good luck

[Allenya1202]

Alright thanks for the help will do.

[VinniE30]

With your budget you would be way better off with vinyl and it will look way better and more unique than the craptastic paint job you will get for under $400.

[willworkfore30s]

You want to get cast vinyl. If you get the right stuff it will have air channels in the adhesive that make it really easy to push out the air bubbles. My father does this for a living. He is wrapping an air plane next week.

[Allenya1202]

What kind of vinyl is cast vinyl and do you know where i can buy it?

[willworkfore30s]

Proveer or Fellers or Grimco sell cast vinyl in black. I don't know if these guys will sell to you as a private customer or not but you can try. It cost between $1 and a $1.50 per square foot. If I was you I would get it in a 48" wide roll. You can get it in a 24" wide roll that will be easier to install as a novice but it will mean you will have twice as many seems. Cast vinyl just referes to the method with which it was made. This type of vinyl has better longevity and is easier to form around curves than other types.

^^As per my fathers recommendations.

[YachtCaptain]

if you're looking for cheap my buddy showed me this site

http://bmwshadowline.com/

it says roof vinyl but were pretty sure it will work on the entire car, im planning to do it once i get the money, but they only have matte and gloss black should be able to wrap the entire car for $150, at most $200

[Allenya1202]

Alright thanks for the advise i'll will make some calls.

[Allenya1202]

dam that would have been perfect but im looking for any color but black but thanks tho.

[Khaz]

This is my first post here on R3vlimited.. but i view myself as qualified to respond to this post for one reason... i own and operate my own vinyl print shop doing just this kind of work ;)

If your going a solid color, go with the paint. Vinyl is great, but its a lot of work to get a wrap to turn out right.. especially if your inexperienced. It isn't like slapping on a big bumper sticker. If you want some cool effects and high detail stuff.. then a wrap would be worth it, but it becomes a much tougher install.

Vinyl is a touchy material if you don't know how to work with it. To often you get in a hurry and the vinyl adhesive touches itself, or you pick up tiny pebble or something if you didn't properly clean your environment. And if you screw up badly enough on a panel.. you have to make a new one. Granted there isn't much a little patience and a heat gun can't fix.. but nothing i more irritating than a botched panel.

If your toying with doing your own vinyl wrap.. do yourself a favor and get your vinyl laminated. Sure it costs a bit more, but the durability and longevity that you get out of it is more than worth it.

Also make sure you get the right kind of vinyl.. you can get the cheap crap that is suitable for basic throw away temporary signage lettering and such, but it fades, dries, and overall looks horrible after a few years.. trust me i've removed literally tons of the stuff, and it sucks.. get stuff thats intended for automotive.


Ultimately its up to you.

[BamaE30]

I've been thinking a matt white wrap will look good in my 88 vert.