Vinyl car roof wrap - any experience?

[Corranga]

Basically, I've found a car I like, but my wife isn't keen on the colour.
It's a MINI - i'm not looking for discussions surrounding it's size, or my taste bypass etc. just want to hear any experiences with car wraps.
I'm interested in how long it lasts, does it look like paint, does it scratch or chip too easily, and how easy was it to remove, and the condition of the car underneath.

I'd be looking at roof and mirror caps only, red, or maybe white on a grey car.

So far google has come up with a combination of boy racer tales, and a couple of disasters, but most seem to be many years down the line on cars bought with a wrap already applied.

Chris

 

[conaero]

I believe they all quote 3 years. TBF if you look after the car, I recon you can stretch that to 5 years.

What you will get is shrinkage and any tight curves such as door shuts will start to lift in these areas making it appear like its got water underneath if you get me. If its on flat or curved surfaces only it will last longer.

 

[Felonious Crud]

Hullo. I've had mine PPF'd on the roof, lower front bumper and bonnet. I'll get the wings done at the same time as having a few stone chips blown over. My experience is that you can't go far wrong as long as you go somewhere decent. I've always used Db Customs in Billericay, where you'll generally find an assortment of high-end cars (Fezzas, Porsche GT2s and GTSs) in for PPF or, quite often, an entirely new colour. Morebeans, on here, had the roof of his white 458 done in satin black and it looked superb (not at Dub, mind, not sure where). Just go somewhere good and expect to pay a few hundred £ for what you're after.

 

[Corranga]

Hadn't drawn the parallel with PPF, which I have on the Lotus (half front, up to just above the headlights, plus front bonnet and sills) for 6 or more years now. Having treated it just like paint, so regular wash, polish and wax, it looks virtually as it was when fitted, with the exception of a couple of chips.

I guess BMW themselves must use vinyl for the options like Union flags etc on the roof too.

 

[Chrisb2015]

As above, get it done by someone reputable and it should last well and look good. Given the smallish area though, I can’t imagine it would be that much cheaper than getting in sprayed. Where are you based?

 

[Corranga]

I'm in Dundee, Scotland.

I don't think I'd want it painted, potentially leading on to awkward questions when I go to sell...