Looking to upgrade your car’s interior or exterior with a vinyl wrap? There are lots of different types and colors of vinyl to choose from, so how do you know which is the best for your needs? In this post, we’ll take a look at some of the most popular DIY options and help you find the best car wraps. Let’s get started!
Note: For our purposes, we are comparing the wraps in the color black, as it is the most popular color for vinyl wraps. The color does not cause a difference in the effectiveness or durability of the product.
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What are the 3 best car wraps with a gloss finish?
Gloss vinyl wraps are going to give you the most freshly painted car look. It is similar to a painted car with clear coat. Choosing a quality gloss vinyl is important if you want to achieve a smooth, glossy look.
Now, one thing to note about all of the DIY gloss black wraps we have mentioned is that you will notice some orange peel on the surface of your car. If you have the money to spare and are wanting an orange peel-free, high-quality wrap, you should consider contacting a professional about installation of Inozetek professional vinyl wrap. For our purposes, we are comparing wraps that are readily available for consumers.
3M 2080 Gloss Black Vinyl Car Wrap Film
- 3.5 mm thick vinyl film
- Clear Protective overlay that protects the vinyl from scratches
- Requires less heat than their previous 1080 vinyl
- Adhesive allows for repositioning during application to eliminate bubbles on the surface
- Excellent durability- Users claim that it will hold up well for about 3-7 years (dependent upon climate, driving frequency and conditions)
- 60 inches wide
- Easier to remove than Avery film
Avery SW900-190-O GLOSS BLACK Supreme Vinyl Car Wrap Film
- Very similar quality to the 3M; however some users commented that the black color is not as deep as the 3m vinyl
- Easy Apply technology- Can be easily repositioned during application
- Excellent Durability- Users claim that it will hold up well for about 3-7 years (dependent upon climate, driving frequency and conditions)
- 60 inches wide
- More difficult to remove than the 3M car wrap vinyl
VVIVID Black Matte Car Wrap Vinyl Roll
- Lower cost than 3M and Avery
- Nice gloss finish
- Thicker than 3M and Avery, which makes it more difficult during install
- Can withstand a lot of heat, which helps with application
- Claims to be self- healing with heat
- Good durability- Users claim it holds up well for 3-5 years
What are the 3 best car wraps with a matte finish?
If you’re wanting to give your car a new look and a modern edge without a full paint job, you might consider a matte wrap. Matte car wrap vinyl is known to accentuate the curves and lines of your vehicle.
They are known for showing smudges and fingerprints more easily, so you might be washing your car more often. And they do require different care than glossy finishes, so make sure you do your research before applying any waxes.
Avery SW900 Black Matte Supreme Vinyl Car Wrap Film
- More true black color than the 3M
- Easy Apply technology- Can be easily repositioned during application
- Excellent durability- Users claim that it will hold up well for about 5-7 years (dependent upon climate, driving frequency and conditions)
- 60 inches wide
- More difficult to remove than the 3M car wrap vinyl
3M 2080 MATTE BLACK Car Wrap Vinyl Film
- Has a hint of brown color to it, which some users don’t care for
- Clear Protective overlay that protects the vinyl from scratches
- Requires less heat than their previous 1080 vinyl
- Adhesive allows for repositioning during application to eliminate bubbles on the surface
- Excellent durability- Users claim that it will hold up well for about 5-7 years (dependent upon climate, driving frequency and conditions)
- 60 inches wide
- Easier to remove than Avery
VVIVID Black Matte Car Wrap Vinyl Roll
- Lower cost than 3M and Avery
- Thicker than 3M and Avery, which makes it more difficult during install
- Can withstand a lot of heat, which helps with application
- Claims to be self- healing with heat
- Good durability- Users claim it holds up well for 3-5 years
- 60 inch width
What are the 3 best car wraps with a satin finish?
If you’re unsure whether to go with gloss or matte vinyl, you can have the best of both worlds with a satin car vinyl. It is easier to clean and reflects more light that matte. And another pro is that you are able to use waxes on a satin finish.
If you want to add a sleek, classy style to your vehicle, satin might be the way to go.
Avery SW900 Satin Black Supreme Vinyl Car Wrap Film
- Deeper black and more of a true satin finish than the 3M satin wrap
- Easy Apply technology- Can be easily repositioned during application
- Excellent durability- Users claim that it will hold up well for about 5-7 years (dependent upon climate, driving frequency and conditions)
- 60 inches wide
- More difficult to remove than the 3M car wrap vinyl
3M 2080 Satin Black Vinyl Vehicle Car Wrap Film
- More muted- leans towards matte
- Requires less heat than their previous 1080 vinyl
- Adhesive allows for repositioning during application to eliminate bubbles on the surface
- Excellent durability- Users claim that it will hold up well for about 5-7 years (dependent upon climate, driving frequency and conditions)
- 60 inches wide
- Easier to remove than Avery car wrap vinyl
VVIVID Satin Black Vinyl Wrap
- Beautiful, sleek look
- Lower cost than 3M and Avery
- Thicker than 3M and Avery, which makes it more difficult during install
- Can withstand a lot of heat, which helps with installation
- Claims to be self- healing with heat
- Good durability- Users claim it holds up well for 3-5 years
- 60 inch width
What are the 3 best car wraps that are a dupe for carbon fiber?
Carbon fiber is super popular in the automotive world. Real carbon fiber is very expensive and can set you back quite a bit. If you want the look of carbon fiber without the price tag, choose a high quality carbon fiber wrap. They are a great option for the interior or exterior of your automobile.
3M 2080 Black Carbon Fiber Vinyl Flex Wrap
- Textured look and feel to the vinyl- embossed 3D weave
- Requires less heat than their previous 1080 vinyl
- Patented Controltac adhesive allows for repositioning during application to eliminate bubbles on the surface
- Excellent durability- Users claim that it will hold up well for about 5-7 years (dependent upon climate, driving frequency and conditions)
- 60 inches wide
- Easier to remove than 3M
Avery SW900 Black Carbon Fiber Vinyl Car Wrap Film
- Textured look and feel to the vinyl
- Easy Apply technology- Can be easily repositioned during application
- Excellent durability- Users claim that it will hold up well for about 5-7 years (dependent upon climate, driving frequency and conditions)
- 60 inches wide
- More difficult to remove than the Avery car wrap vinyl
VVIVID® XPO Black Carbon Fiber Car Wrap Vinyl Roll
- Available in this version and a gloss version
- Lower cost than 3M and Avery
- Thicker than 3M and Avery, which makes it more difficult during install
- Can withstand a lot of heat, which helps with installation
- Claims to be self- healing with heat
- Good durability- Users claim it lasts for 3-5 years
- 60 inch width
What are the 3 best vinyl tapes for door and window trim?
If you’re wanting to upgrade the look of your trim or fix damaged trim without the cost of replacing it all, you can purchase a roll or two of vinyl tape. With a razor blade and a squeegee and a roll of tape you can dramatically change the look of your car or truck.
3M 2080 Black Vinyl Wrap Kit for Black Out Chrome Door Trim
- Available in 25, 50 and 75 feet rolls
- Easily repositioned and stretched
- Soft material that conforms to all curves and shapes
- Removable protective film layer helps minimize scratches during installation
- Can be installed with 3M Primer 94 and 3M Edge sealer
- Available in gloss, matte, satin and carbon fiber finishes
Gold Label Detailing 3M Black Out Trim Chrome Delete Vinyl Wrap Kit
- Available in 25 or 50 feet rolls
- 3M 1080 vinyl wrap technology
- Stretchy, flexible material conforms to curves and shapes
- Includes squeegee and razor blade (users recommend getting your own tools and not the razor blade provided)
- Available in satin, gloss and matte
VViViD Black Matte Air-Release Adhesive Vinyl Tape Roll
- Available in 20 foot rolls of varying width
- Air release technology allows for repositioning
- Thicker than the other products, which makes for more difficult contouring during application
- Much less expensive than other products
- Also available in gloss finish, satin finish, and carbon fiber finish.
What else do I need for my DIY vinyl wrap job?
If I was going to name 3 other things that are essential to make your car vinyl wrap installation a success, it would be these things:
A clean, dry surface
The last thing you want to try and do is apply a vinyl wrap to a dirty or wet surface. It will not stick well! You need a smooth, dry, debris and residue-free surface for your vinyl wrap to adhere easily and have a long lasting life.
The right tools
There’s nothing like starting a labor intensive project and then realizing that you are missing important tools! Having sharp razor blades, an adjustable temp heat gun and a squeegee will get you started and will suffice if you’re applying wraps to small areas, such as applying window trim vinyl tape.
If you’re wrapping the entire exterior of your vehicle, you might want to check out this video to see what he recommends as must-have quality tools for your wrap job.
Patience
Yes, patience. This is not a quick project. If your goal is a seamless exterior without any air bubbles or curled edges, you absolutely must be patient when you’re wrapping. An extra set of hands during the install is a huge help, as well.
Wrap-Up
After looking at all of our results, we assessed that to get the best DIY wrapping experience, you are going to have to spend more money on the Avery or 3M wraps. After reading hundreds of product reviews and hearing from car wrapping professionals, the Avery and 3M are definitely an upgrade from the VViViD wraps. But they definitely come at a higher price tag.
If the higher cost is not an option, then we suggest starting with some small surface areas using the VViViD until you get the process down, as it is thicker and more challenging to work with. Experimenting with smaller pieces of vinyl is a less expensive mistake and will help you get the process down before you wrap the whole car.
We hope this article has been helpful to you. Let us know your experience with vinyl wrapping down in the comments or reach out with a message! We’d love to hear from you
