When my vinyl finally kicks the bucket (and it wont be for a looong time because I paid for very good quality and my car isn't a daily) I'll just have it replaced with paint.

And depending on the age of the car...how much UV fade it there, etc....a good clay, polish, buff, and wax will usually fix all.

 

Well if there is a slight fade, at least you'll have a stencil ready to go for the paint.

I'm confused as to how a clay, polish, buff and wax is going to repair un/faded paint?

 

I think a lot of times its a hazing in the clear coat. which the clay usually removes. Also depends on how well you care for the paint during the life of the car.

I've been amazed by what I've seen some detailers. Doesn't always work...but for a car such as mine, I'm not concerned.

If I pulled the factory pinstripes off my 97 JGC...even with a full detail...yeah you'd probably have a permanent line...I also havent washed that car in over a year...and I dont think I've waxed it in the 3 years I've had it AND it lives outside to constant UV.

 

I just saw a 3 series that was painted entirely with Plastidip.

That thing looked like straight up just came out of coal mines.

ok... i guess he is not the only one

 

There are a number of guys that run plastidip rather than using vinyl to wrap the entire car. If done well, from a short distance away, you can't tell if it's plastidip or vinyl.

 

Maybe it depends on the color the black one i saw looked like the car just got "burned"

Or maybe there is a difference in color when you use cans or the spray gun.

 

I've seen black ones that look good, and some, not so much. Prep and quality of spraying go a long way with plastidip.

 

Because the majority of the fading happens from UV discoloration to the clear. Usually a good wet sanding/polishing and waxing will remove the fading

 

Plastidip is just like paint. If the prep work and appilication is done quickly it will look like crap. If time is taken it will turn out very nice. I have seen dipped cars that you would be hard pressed to tell the difference between a wrap/pain/dip.
Problem is the majority of what you see is done poorly by someone in their garage trying to do it in one coat with a rattle can (instead of 10 or so really light coats)

 

There are so many horribly done flat black cars in LA its hard to tell whether its plasti, vinyl, or spray can, or just a crappy paint shop...

Its also soured me on flat black...

 

Damnit...I was going to say that but I wasn't 100% sure

 

Ahhh, didn't know it was the clear coat that was fading. I always thought it was the paint.

 

clear coat today has UV protection.

There are cars such as the fit (and I think the prius)...where the clear coat is mixed in with the paint...I would think those would be more prone to problems over time.

 

And a Ford Focus with gold rims