[martopoulos]

So, earlier this year I got my m235i wrapped (Avery Pearl White Metallic over the stock Alpine White). I wanted something subtle and to offer a little bit of paint protection. I had considered a Suntek or 3M clear wrap, but a.) it was even pricier and b.) you can see the adhesive slightly on white cars.

I drove out to RoloTech (Anaheim) to have the wrap done. I think they did a great job-- took 5 days. It was slightly painful to see a brand new car taken apart, but definitely worth it.

Regarding the color, under fluorescent light, it looks just like Mineral White. In daylight, it has a bit more of a creamy/yellowish character, but not remotely as yellow as Cadillac's pearl color. I dig it.

Day 1:


Progress Throughout the Week:





Finished!

[pz619]

Looks great. How has it been holding up?

[martopoulos]

Originally Posted by pz619

Looks great. How has it been holding up?

Pretty well. I've had it on for about 2300 miles now. There is a single nick in the hood vinyl from a big ass pebble that a truck kicked up (think it's the same one that also cracked my windshield, sigh) and a much smaller nick on one of the side mirrors. In both cases, it looks like the paint underneath was largely spared, FWIW. RoloTech tells me it should last about 3 years.

[JasonPetrie]

whats the average cost to do something like this?

[crbalch]

Originally Posted by JasonPetrie

whats the average cost to do something like this?

A good shop by me In Chicago gave a quick quote of ~$3000...not worth it for me!

[PARTS@STBMW]

Looking great!

[martopoulos]

Originally Posted by crbalch

A good shop by me In Chicago gave a quick quote of ~$3000...not worth it for me!

Cost me $2500. Steep, for sure, but worth it considering how painful it is to see all those nicks in the paint, hah.

[Cyberdemon]

So for the cost of the mineral white upgrade and years of detailing and paint correction you got a mineral white car that will need to get painstakingly disassembled and removed after 3 years?

I could see if you wanted a color that was unique, but if you didn't tell me this was vinyl wrapped I would've thought it was a MW car.

Doesn't seem like the juice was worth the squeeze.

[squintz]

Thanks for sharing and glad you like it.

I can't imagine spending $2500 to turn an already white car white and it only lasts 3 years, but to each their own.

[crbalch]

Originally Posted by Cyberdemon

So for the cost of the mineral white upgrade and years of detailing and paint correction you got a mineral white car that will need to get painstakingly disassembled and removed after 3 years?

I could see if you wanted a color that was unique, but if you didn't tell me this was vinyl wrapped I would've thought it was a MW car.

Doesn't seem like the juice was worth the squeeze.

They should have done Xpel Stealth for this result...

[bryan_G01]

A few thousand to go from alpine to MW...

[martopoulos]

Originally Posted by Cyberdemon

So for the cost of the mineral white upgrade and years of detailing and paint correction you got a mineral white car that will need to get painstakingly disassembled and removed after 3 years?

I could see if you wanted a color that was unique, but if you didn't tell me this was vinyl wrapped I would've thought it was a MW car.

Doesn't seem like the juice was worth the squeeze.

Paint correction never looks very good, unless you're talking about repainting an entire panel, which approaches the same cost (per panel) and, I'm told, would actually lower the resale value of the car. I played it conservatively color-wise this time (I actually *didn't* want it to be apparent that it's a wrap), but hey there's nothing stopping me from changing it up in 3 years.

As for Xpel/Suntek clear covers, I was quoted $4000-5000 at several shops in the area. I was ready to do it until I found out the adhesive is somewhat visible on white cars. Maybe I'd have put up with that if it were less expensive, but for that price I'd want it to look perfect.