Color & Material Options for Color-Change Wraps
The Materials
Before we hit brands, let’s talk about the different types of material available. There are two major types of vinyl film: Calendared and Cast vinyl. While both are made primarily from PVC (polyvinylchloride), a variety of plastic polymers, the manufacturing process differs.
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Calendared vinyl is made by rolling and heat-pressing solid PVC material through rollers to flatten the film, similar to making pasta. This process, called “calendaring,” produces a thicker and less expensive film that is not as stretchy or conformable as cast vinyl. These films are trickier to install because they are not as flexible, and the amount of “factory stretch” in the film can lead to post-install peeling and other failures if not considered. These films may also fade or discolor more quickly than cast vinyl films and generally have a short lifespan of 6 months to 2 years.
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Cast vinyl films are made through a casting process that involves pouring a liquid mixture of PVC material and other ingredients onto a moving matrix. This is heated to evaporate solvents, leaving behind a solid film that is thin, stretchy, and conformable. This is the most flexible and durable type of vinyl film. Lifespan can range from 2-5 years. Brands include 3M, Avery, Evolv, Hexis, KPMF, & Orafol.
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Paint Protection Film (PPF) or clear bra is traditionally a transparent urethane film. It is thicker and more durable than any vinyl film and is known for providing the best surface protection. There are a handful of brands that have taken this technology and successfully injected color into this usually transparent film. Enter “Cosmetic PPF” - a color-change experience with added protection against rock chips, scratches, and other hazards. The brand we mention below (Flexishield) is one that applies like a thicker vinyl wrap, so a skilled vinyl wrap shop will be able to apply it. Traditional Cosmetic PPF applies similarly to clear PPF, which involves a separate set of techniques and skills that a PPF shop will have.
The Colors
There are various brands, each with a unique assortment of color options. Tap the images below to view our curated list of colors - you’ll have a much easier time navigating the multitude of Cast and PPF color choices this way.
Note: It is generally recommended to use these cast vinyl brands for longevity; however, if you can’t find the right color amongst those brands and are okay with the shorter lifespan, calendared film might be the way to go. Calendared film is mainly distributed directly from the brand - you’ll find some options in the gallery, but more are under their respective brands below.
Chrome & PPF are tagged since they cost considerably more. We will also include select Aura and Techwrap colors here, and they will be labeled as such since we recommend them last.
Alternatively, you can view the complete selection for a number of brands at metrorestyling.com - 3M, Avery, Flexishield, Hexis, KPMF, & Orafol.
The Brands
Below is a selection of major brands available. We included some basic info and a link to their color collections via the “color options” button. We selected only a few calendared brands based on popularity and customer experience. KKvinyl, Vinyl Frog, Tinybot, & the numerous Amazon/eBay/Alibaba brands were not included in this list.
“3M™ Wrap Film Series 2080 is a dual cast 3.5-mil vinyl car wrap that features high conformability and great cold stretch. Features excellent lifting resistance.”
Film Type: Cast
Film thickness: 3.5-4.5 mil
Price: $$$
“Aura utilizes a unique hybrid manufacturing process and we're sure you'll be impressed with the flexibility and conformability. We use polymers typically used in a cast film and roll it on calendars. This gives the best of both worlds: a film that is easy to work with and an extremely impressive finish. We're pushing the boundaries in terms of color selection, finish, longevity, and feel.”
Film Type: Cast Hybrid
Film thickness: 3.2-3.8 mil
Price: $$$
“Outstanding premium quality cast vinyl film for exciting car wraps with a paint-like finish in a variety of color car wraps.”
Film Type: Cast
Film thickness: 3.2-4.7 mil
Price: $$$
“After 30 years of experience developing vinyl wrap materials with manufacturers and lots of car wraps, I decided to develop my own U.S. manufactured, cast, slideable, colorchange wrap vinyl, with the optimal features desired by professional wrap companies, and sold direct at the lowest possible price.”
Film Type: Cast
Film thickness: 3 mil
Price: $$
“High quality cast vinyl with superior conformability for application to flat, curved and shaped surfaces. Made in Italy.
Film Type: Cast
Film thickness: 3.5-6.3 mil
Price: $$$$
“Sometimes you don’t need to make the impossible choice between flawless paint and driving in style. With colored PPF, instantly transform the look of a car with one of our amazing tones while also protecting it from all kinds of road hazards”
Film Type: PPF
Film thickness: 7.5 mil
Price: $$$$$
“Very high performance, multi-layered, cast film, specially designed for full wraps.”
Film Type: Cast
Film thickness: 3.9-6.5 mil
Price: $$
“INOZETEK offers high quality products at affordable prices. As a result, the INOZETEK brand is synonymous with quality and affordability. We are excited to offer endless possibilities in creating fancy and stylish designs with all colors and textures.”
Film Type: Calendared Hybrid
Film thickness: 3.7-5 mil
Price: $$$
“A range of premium quality cast PVC films specifically developed for vehicle wrapping. These premium cast products are formulated using the latest advances in chemical and pigment technology to offer exceptional dimensional stability and long-term durability.”
Film Type: Cast
Film thickness: 3.2-4.3 mil
Price: $$$
“Developed for long-term, complete wraps of fleet and motor sport vehicles in solid, opaque colors. Conforms over curved surfaces, rivets and corrugations. Does not require overlaminate.”
Film Type: Cast
Film thickness: 4.25 mil
Price: $$$
“Our mission is to offer a wide variety of quality, affordable vinyl films with great outdoor life-expectancy. We strive to produce superior, high-grade calendered, and hybrid vinyl products, and we aim to make our films accessible to every price level of the wrapping community.”
Film Type: Calendared
Film thickness: 3.9-7.5 mil
Price: $$
Read about our current favorite and least favorite vinyl brands.