Paint Or Wrap A Sand Car? Cost? School Me Please

[Dockmaster]

As per some of my recent posts, I’m currently shopping for a sand car. For a new car, body paint is not included in prices from the builders given the mild to wild options. And I’ve found some used cars that might work for me but I don’t care for the colors or graphics. I’m still considering a few used cars that would need a color change for me so I’m wondering what I should expect to pay to get something painted or wrapped? I’m not talking about something wild, just a mild color with some stripes or graphics to give it some pop and  make it look decent. Most of the existing cars have the PPF clear over them so that would have to come off, then be applied again after paint or wrap. I’m just looking for general ballpark range here. I realize the options are infinite. Is $10k a reasonable budgetary number? 
A couple of the cars I like have challenging frame colors that would limit body colors so as not to clash or look awful against the frame. I’m assuming that changing frame colors is a non-starter as the whole car has to taken apart to paint the frame and then put back together. Can you reasonably do a partial frame paint? Like just the main areas that are exposed or easily accessible? Can you wrap portions of a frame for a color change? 
What are the pros and cons of paint vs wrap? 

 

[Richard h]

When it comes to the frame, if it's powder coated it is a pain to remove. Usually, easiest way is to burn off with a torch.  No fun at all! Auto paints are what I always used as it was easy to repair if needed. My panels had base and clear and lasted 12 years now and still look good when car left. Price, that's scarry imo. Last quart of catalyst I bought shocked me. Never been around wraps so I can't give an opinion.

. 

 

[L.R.S.]

Wraps look great on cars in motion. Not so much when they're parked. 

 

[Doonit]

new car = fresh Haney paint job 10K+ and a 3M clear cover/wrap. IMO not my budget tho. lol

 

[BRANDON LONG]

If you're ok with the frame and not the graphics, it's pretty simple to have the panels stripped and re powder coated. Labor of tearing the car down and putting it back together is the largest cost when changing frame color. 

 

[FOG]

Good info in this thread.  I'm not a fan of the flame paint scheme on the sand car I just bought. So I'll be following along.

 

[Sandkist]

Can you reasonably do a partial frame paint? Like just the main areas that are exposed or easily accessible? 

Yes. You can apply a two stage paint directly to PC as long as you scuff the PC so no need to strip it. Take into consideration what needs to be removed (seats, headers etc) to give you room to spray. 

 

[Richard h]

Take into consideration what needs to be removed (

 

[JM PRO]

I paid 3k for a wrap on a full body car. It came out great. Both cars in the pic were wrapped at the same time. I agree that it's not a custom paint job but it sure does change the cars appearance at a fraction the cost.

 

[Dockmaster]

I paid 3k for a wrap on a full body car. It came out great. Both cars in the pic were wrapped at the same time. I agree that it's not a custom paint job but it sure does change the cars appearance at a fraction the cost.

View attachment 96628

Cars look great! Thanks for the info. This is exactly what I was looking for. 

 

[Kraut_n_Rice]

If I were ever to build a car new, or do a bare frame refresh, the chassis would be something on the grey scale.  

IMO, doing the chassis in a specific color kinda anchors the car.

Case is point is the the Alumicraft @acefuture just picked up. I absolutely HATE blue.  In the consideration of the purchase would be me having to take it all the way down to unfuk the color. 

In @JM PRO pics above, the car on the left can be whatever you desire.  The car on the right has to stick to reds or grey scale.

 

[dunenfool]

I am planning to tear down my car at the end of this season and do a frame color change. I had my trailing arms powder coated last week as a test for this powder coater that is near to my house.  I’m pretty sure I’m gonna be doing a two-stage powder coat where they put silver on first and then they do the blue over the top. My car is about 50% powder code and 50% spray can at this point with all the mods we have done saying that he will be able to powder coat over the existing powder coat is this a good idea or not?   He says he will have to sandblast any of the painted areas down to bear metal.  Question, I have is a lot of bars have been added various for things changed And there is random grinder marks in a lot of areas. Well, the sandblasting be able to smooth that out or should I sand that on my own? If I’m going to this much work, I want to look good.

 

[Richard h]

should I sand that on my own?

Yes. What works nice is a buffer with a wheel that will hold a 80 to 100 grit sand disc. they smooth stuff out well.

 

[JM PRO]

I am planning to tear down my car at the end of this season and do a frame color change. I had my trailing arms powder coated last week as a test for this powder coater that is near to my house.  I’m pretty sure I’m gonna be doing a two-stage powder coat where they put silver on first and then they do the blue over the top. My car is about 50% powder code and 50% spray can at this point with all the mods we have done saying that he will be able to powder coat over the existing powder coat is this a good idea or not?   He says he will have to sandblast any of the painted areas down to bear metal.  Question, I have is a lot of bars have been added various for things changed And there is random grinder marks in a lot of areas. Well, the sandblasting be able to smooth that out or should I sand that on my own? If I’m going to this much work, I want to look good.

The sandblasting might have a slight impact on those grinder marks but you will want to have eyeballs on that frame before they spray PC. A couple hours of additional sanding and feathering could make a huge difference in the final product.

 

[lincster]

I am planning to tear down my car at the end of this season and do a frame color change. I had my trailing arms powder coated last week as a test for this powder coater that is near to my house.  I’m pretty sure I’m gonna be doing a two-stage powder coat where they put silver on first and then they do the blue over the top. My car is about 50% powder code and 50% spray can at this point with all the mods we have done saying that he will be able to powder coat over the existing powder coat is this a good idea or not?   He says he will have to sandblast any of the painted areas down to bear metal.  Question, I have is a lot of bars have been added various for things changed And there is random grinder marks in a lot of areas. Well, the sandblasting be able to smooth that out or should I sand that on my own? If I’m going to this much work, I want to look good.

All old power or paint needs to be burned off. 
If your Powdercoater is telling u that, I would find someone else. 
Just make some calls. 
Affordable Powdercoat in Phoenix does good work and does lots of sand car chassis. Give them a call and just discuss.