Tesla Wrap vs. Paint Job in 2023: All Pros and Cons Explained

As an owner of Tesla, you may want to upgrade its look by changing the color, adding a beautiful finish, or even texture. Vinyl wraps or a high-quality paint job will help you achieve stunning visual results. But which one to choose and why? In this article, we will thoroughly examine each option, and you will know which one to treat your Tesla with—wrapping or repainting.

Why would I change my Tesla’s look? It’s stunning as it is!

Yes, and it’s an inarguable fact—Tesla vehicles are good-looking electric cars. But all of them—Tesla Model 3, Tesla Model S, Tesla Model X, Tesla Model Y—come out of the factory with only five default colors. If you are happy with your “Solid Black,” “Pearl White Multi-Coat,” “Deep Blue Metallic,” “Midnight Silver Metallic,” and “Red Multi-Coat,” you might want to skip this part.

But if you want your e-vehicle to look even better, you are open to the world of possibilities by wrapping your Tesla or respraying it. Sounds appealing? Call us at 773-455-0467 or 312-212-0493, and the Tinting Chicago technicians will offer you the best options for your Tesla. With our advice, you will know whether you want to go for a Tesla wrap or respraying.

What are Tesla vinyl wraps?

Vinyl wraps for Tesla are exactly as they sound. A high-quality vinyl sheet is applied over the car’s body, giving it a fresh look, a different color, finish, or design. The paint underneath stays in its original condition, and the e-vehicle gets extra protection. Tesla wrapping can be full or partial—for example, you can only wrap a hood or a front bumper.

At Tinting Chicago, we only work with the best brands that produce vinyl wraps—Avery Dennison and 3M. There are dozens of beautiful vinyl wrap colors and a few impressive finishes and textures for your truly unique ride. Listing all the possible colors would take too long, but here are the finishes that you can add to your Tesla’s bodywork:

• Satin
• Matte
• Carbon fiber
• Chrome
• High gloss
• Metallic

5 benefits Tesla wraps

Besides enhancing the exterior of a Tesla, vinyl wrapping adds a protective layer over the original paintwork, which is one big “pro” compared to respraying. Road debris, dust, minor scratches, rock chips, and UV rays won’t be dangerous to your car anymore. Let’s list all benefits of Tesla car wrap.

1. Fast and affordable possibility to change your Tesla’s appearance—if you want, you can perform the color change every year!
2. A wide choice of finishes and textures—we in Tinting Chicago really love the satin and matte finishes for the Teslas!
3. Protection of the original paint from slight mechanical, chemical, and environmental impacts
4. The increased resale value of your Tesla: once you remove the wrap, your entire vehicle keeps the existing paint in its pristine condition
5. Easy application and removal. If you want to sell or switch to another color, just remove the wrap!

Tesla wraps vs. Paint Protection Film

When searching for the right vehicle wrap for your Tesla, you will find two options: vinyl wraps and paint protection films. These are two completely different products. If the wrap is primarily designated for quickly changing the car’s appearance, PPF provides strong car paint protection properties. It is a well-known fact that Tesla vehicles are more on the soft paint side: users notice that the paint chips quite easily, and this is when an extra protective layer comes in handy.

PPF (also called “Clear bra” or “Clear coating”) is a transparent thermoplastic urethane film that is added over the bodywork of your Tesla. We recommend applying it when your electric car is still brand-new: this will allow you to keep the paint job in its pristine condition.

The paint protection film is thicker than a wrap and has strong protective properties. One is self-healing: with heat application, slight scratches will disappear from its surface. The paint protection film is completely transparent and won’t change your Tesla’s original paint color.

What about the ceramic coating?

Ceramic coating is another option for Tesla’s appearance enhancement. Ceramic micro-particles are applied—and mixed—with the original paint job. The ceramic coating gives your Tesla an unprecedented shiny look, strong, water-repellent properties, and slight protection properties (dust, dirt, and UV resistance).

Do you want to know something crazy? You can opt for both—a wrap+ceramic coating or a paint protection film+ceramic coating! The first will give your Tesla a color change and a stunning shiny look with water-repellent properties. At the same time, the latter will add an ultimate protective layer, plus an ultra-gloss look with water-repellent properties. Your Tesla will become easier to maintain (remove dirt, dust, etc.). And, the ceramic coating will make your vinyl wrap last longer because of the extra UV protection.

What if I want a full-body Tesla wrap?

Most Tesla owners choose a full vinyl body wrap when they want a color change. This technique allows for changing the look of the painted exterior car parts.

Also, it can come with an interior wrapping option! If you opt for the complete color change—let’s say your Tesla is white, and you want to make it yellow and don’t want to see even a millimeter of white when you open the doors or/and the trunk/the hood—then respraying makes more sense. Covering fiddly parts with vinyl is a serious job and can cost you more than repainting.

Expect to spend about $6,000 for a full wrap (including the door jams).

Interior Tesla wraps

Besides wrapping the Tesla’s exterior, we offer various interior customization options with vinyl wraps and PPF. The good news is—with modern, high-quality materials, you can personalize your electric car pretty much any way you like!

Wrapping your Tesla at Tinting Chicago shops: a step-by-step-process

1. The Tesla arrives at the shop
2. The Tinting Chicago technicians perform a thorough preliminary wash with certified shampoos
3. The Tesla is disassembled: the bumpers, badges, etc., are removed
4. The Tesla undergoes a second wash
5. The vehicle’s surface is treated with a clay bar
6. Alcohol solution treatment
7. The Tinting Chicago technicians prepare the vinyl wrap: sizing, cutting, fitting
8. Car wrap application: the extra bits are removed, the vinyl edges are tacked, etc.
9. The surface of the vinyl wrap is heated with the heating gun and smoothed
10. The Tesla’s parts are assembled back
11. Final touches: a final cleanse with a certified after-wrap solution and alcohol
12. Final inspection
13. Your Tesla is ready for a ride!

How much does it cost to wrap my Tesla?

At Tinting Chicago, we’ve worked on so many Teslas that we can definitely say that it’s relevantly easy to wrap. You can find a full price list on this page, or call us at 773-455-0467 or 312-212-0493 if you need a consultation or a custom solution.

Tesla paint job: benefits

Paint jobs for your Tesla Model 3, Tesla Model S, Tesla Model X, and Tesla Model Y make total sense in many ways. Paint correction is one of them. If you want to change the look of the whole of your electric car, including its chrome parts, we recommend choosing to paint jobs—it will save you some cash! But in most ways, wrapping your Tesla makes more sense, as you don’t need to change the original paintwork!

Tesla paint vs. wrap

• Takes faster—1-2 days compared to 3-5 days for the respray
• More affordable if you don’t opt for the full vehicle wrap (including chrome)
• The surface of the vinyl wrap doesn’t chip or flake
• Good protection of the paintwork from mechanical, chemical, and environmental impacts
• Increased the resale value of your Tesla
• Easy to apply and remove
• Multiple finishes and textures (for example, a stunning matte black)

The maintenance of the Tesla after wrapping

Maintaining your Tesla after it is wrapped is easy. For perfect results, do only hand wash: an automatic car wash can damage the vinyl surface. Avoid parking your Tesla under the direct sun; keep it in the garage for better protection.

A small tip: apply a ceramic coating on the top of the vinyl for UV protection and easier maintenance.

Warranty on our Tesla vinyl wraps for that peace of mind

When you own a Tesla, you want to take good care of your investment. We highly recommend choosing a reputable shop in your area that is certified by the top manufacturers. Only doing your Tesla vinyl wrapping, paint protection film application, or respraying in a shop like that can guarantee a good result. At Tinting Chicago, we work with the best brands—Avery Dennison, 3M (car wrap services), and XPEL (PPF services).

Avery Dennison and 3M vinyl wrapping have a 2-year manufacturer’s warranty. Plus, we offer you a 2-year warranty for the quality of the installation. If you just bought a new Tesla, don’t hesitate to protect it or enhance its appearance. Feel free to contact us 24/7 and ask any questions. Call 773-455-0467 or 312-212-0493, or visit one of our shops for a consultation!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the new Tesla wrapped or painted?

Painted. The factory paint Tesla comes in 5 colors (white, black, red, grey, and blue). Also, it is known as a rather soft paint—that’s why Tesla owners often opt for vinyl wrap or paint protection options.

Is vinyl wrap worth it for Tesla?

100%. Not only will you change the color or finish of your Tesla, but the wrapping will protect your new Tesla from small mechanical, chemical, and environmental impacts—UV rays, dust, dirt, road debris, rock chips, and even a low-hanging tree branch! It will increase the resale value of your Tesla Model 3, Tesla Model S, Tesla Model X, and Tesla Model Y: if you decide to sell, remove the vinyl wrap and present the car in its impeccable condition to the new owner.

Is it better to paint or wrap a car?

It depends on what you’re looking for. Wrapping definitely adds a layer of protection and keeps the original paint in perfect condition. Wraps usually last around two years; good paint can shine for ten or more. If you want to fully change the color of your Tesla, including the chrome parts, we recommend respraying. But if you feel like occasionally changing the color of your ride or, let’s say, adding a satin finish to it, then getting your Tesla wrapped is better.

Do wraps look better than paint?

That depends on your taste! Wraps can make Tesla vehicles stand out on the road, as the choice of vinyl wrap colors and finishes are truly impressive! Plus, wraps can withstand more wear than fading and are less prone to damage and chipping.