When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Hey. First post. This forum has been a great resource to me over my first 4 years of Porsche ownership, much appreciated. I'd like to share my experience with wrapping my 99 silver c2.
I've been considering wrapping it for a few months and did a bunch of googling as you'd expect, but didn't find a ton of info on cost / experience, especially for Porsches, so here's mine. My reason for wrapping was purely just for fun. The body / paint are in great shape even after almost 17 years, but I was bored with silver and looking for something different. I choose 3m 1080p as it claims to have a high quality finish and that it is easily removed without any negative impact to the paint. 3m says it's good for 5-7 years, installer says the same. We'll see in a few years. It is stored during winter here in Western NY so that should help some with wear.
I got 3 quotes for the job ranging from $2500 - $3000. I went with Ewing Graphics in Farmington NY, $3100 all said w/ tax. At pick up they said they put 34 hours into it. As they started the job they expressed some concern about applying the material to the rear vent/spoiler given the potential from heat from the motor, but 3m claims 200+ degrees so I told them to go ahead.
I knew I wanted to wrap it in blue, and finally decided on Matte Riviera Blue as the idea of matte sounded cool, and riviera blue being a classic Porsche color (although admittedly typically reserved for gt3 or special stuff).
Bubbles
So first reaction was holy $)#$*@#$. Dramatic change! It's very very bright blue and not something I've ever seen before on a car. Honestly way more blue than I expected based on the color swatch from 3m. The quality of the material is very good. There's already some smudging though, a product of matte finish. It's been 3 days, I've yet to wash it.
During install they admitted a clip for the rear brake light broke, so the installer is planning to replace that once they receive the part. Also note the bubbling over the driver's door. I'll have them remove (hopefully) that when I return for the brake light fix. I'm also considering adding an off-set matte black stripe up the hood, roof, and rear, and maybe classic porsche lettering along the doors to break it up some. Although I'm warming up to it's blue-ness as is as the days pass. My wife is not protesting riding in it, so that's a relief, but it is a little more racer boy than I expected. It will be out on the track at WGI in a few weeks, we'll see how it holds up to the rubber and such that comes after 2 days there.
Hopefully this info is useful to others considering a wrap. The 3m Riviera Blue is a lot of blue!!! One friend is calling it "m&m" another "papa smurf". The kids are saying it's "lit" and "fire". Good fun all the way.
I think it would look better with black wheels though. Or maybe polished. The plain silver wheels look, well, a little plain compared to the wrap.
Thanks. Agreed. Unsure if spray/dip of the wheels is reversible? Don't feel like buying new wheels at this point. And do want the ability to retain original.
I like it...really cool color. I think the black Porsche classic stripes will make it look even better. Black wheels would go nicely as well...Nice work, fun stuff.
Love the color. I had considered a wrap if I couldn't find a car in a color I loved. My problem with the matte finishes is that it really makes it obvious that it's not paint, and the shiny parts (like the tail lights) really stand out. But that's just personal preference.
@dan_189 they say 5 years or so, longer if it doesn't take a beating under sun. obviously that's in reference to the color and material. it will be interesting to see how it handles day to day dings and chips. do they end up peeling back? etc.
@kcattorney i'll look into that, curious how difficult it is to get the dip off when done.
@jleblanc yeah realizing that now. definitely looks incomplete, the chrome tips too.
@rrtec admittedly I didn't quote a paint job, but have always heard $5k+. also the factory paint and finish is in excellent shape and when I'm tired of the wrap it will be nice to return to it (assuming it holds up under the wrap like they say)
09-18-2016, 09:39 PM
Wrapped in 3m Matte Riviera Blue
