Updated By Vinyl Frog On Febuary 22, 2025
Rust Wrapped Cars
You might’ve heard of metallic or matte wrapped cars, but how about rust wrapped cars? Yes, you heard that right! Your car can be covered in wrap that makes it look like you haven’t taken enough care of it in years! This has been a bizarre growing trend that started around the year 2014, right when vinyl wrapping became famous, amongst all adventurous car lovers, and is still used to this day.
This corroded look is popularly used in movies, so the next time you see a rusty looking car in any of your favorite movies, no need to worry, it’s most probably just wrapped in rust vinyl to look that way.
What Are Rust Wrapped Cars?
Rust wrap is used to make that new car have that old school rustic look. It gives it that patina finish without making you wait decades for it to grow. In other words, it simply gives the look of rust without it ruining.
What is a patina finish, you ask? Patina is a brown or green layer that appears on the surface of the metals exposed to the elements. An excellent example could be the finish of the Statue of Liberty in New York City. It had a bronze appearance when it was first gifted to the U.S by France in the 1880s. However, as the metal oxidized over time, it developed the greenish look it has today!
Whatever model or year your car is, it can be given that character and feeling of history. This brings an interesting visual contradiction of an extremely expensive car that appears to be decayed. Just imagine if a latest generation $50,000 car pulls up next to you in traffic but looks like it had spent 10 or more years in a swamp, you would be horrified. It can be a shock to anyone until they find out they’ve been tricked by a rust vinyl wrap.
It cannot only be used on cars but also experimented on motorbikes and other crafty projects such as tablets, phones, gadgets etc. Just like other kinds of vinyl wraps such as matte, glossy, holographic, metallic and so on, rust wraps are also available in different sizes, designs and colors, so you can choose according to your liking.
Benefits Of Rust Wrapping
- It is more environmentally friendly than paint. Paint contains toxic fumes that can harm animals and humans however, rust wrapping does not and is safer plus if you order according to your exact need, there will be no wastage.
- Did you know that painting your entire car is comparatively more expensive than wrapping it! This way you get to save money and have a cool exterior.
- Rust wrap is easy to install and remove and does not take up much time.
- While painted cars need special treatments and protectants, s rust vinyl wrap only needs a soft brush, some water and soap. Hence, making rust wraps easier to maintain.
- Rust wrap is durable and can protect your car from harmful elements all year long that may actually rust your car.
Cons Of Rust Wrapping
- Your rust wrap may experience some drastic color changes. As the wrap undergoes more damage, the car’s original color may be noticeable and might lose its overall finish. Therefore, exposing the original paintwork to more damage.
- You get what you pay for. Buying a cheap quality rust wrap wouldn’t do justice to your car as the look won’t be as realistic as that of a good quality wrap. If you decide to do it yourself, you may not get a desirable finish than when you get it done from a professional.
Cost Of Rust Wrapping
The cost for rust wrapping is almost the same as any other vinyl wrap. Wrapping a car with normal vinyl can cost from anywhere around $2000 to $6000.
One 3-D film of rust vinyl can range from $20 up to $1300, solely depending on the quality - the better the quality, the higher the price. Other than that, it depends on the model and size of your car.
The total for rust vinyl wrapping can amount to anywhere between $3000 to $8000. It is advisable to get your car wrapped through a professional for a better final look.
Application Process
First of all, you should wash your car. It is advised to wipe it with rubbing alcohol to remove any impurities beforehand. Once the car is clean and dry, you may begin with the application process. First you need to cover the parts that will not be wrapped. Next you will cut and apply the vinyl to the surface you wish to wrap.
You should use a squeegee so that no air bubbles and bumps are left behind. You may notice some tiny bubbles under the vinyl film after it has dried. These may eventually go away by themselves, but you can speed up the process if you use a heat gun on them. And that’s it!
Frequently Asked Questions
Final Verdict
If you’re someone who loves to defy the norm, think out of the box and can dare to go for a bit of a rusty look, this wrap is perfect for you! If you do decide to get it, it is mostly preferable to let a professional install it for errors to be minimal. It is a complex job and no compromises should be done when it comes to your car. We hope that this guide was helpful in giving you the complete knowhow about rust wraps!
