Full Wrap vs. Partial Wrap: Which Is Right for Your Vehicle?
Wondering whether to go for a full wrap or partial wrap? We compare cost, installation time, durability and visual impact so you can make the right choice for your vehicle.
Should you wrap your entire vehicle or just specific panels? It is one of the most common questions we hear at Show Off AS. The answer depends on your goals, your budget, and what kind of result you are after. In this article, we break down the differences between full wraps and partial wraps across cost, durability, installation time and visual impact, so you can make a confident decision.
What Is a Full Wrap?
A full wrap covers every visible exterior surface of the vehicle with vinyl film. This includes the hood, roof, doors, bumpers, side panels and mirror caps. The result is a vehicle that looks like it has received a completely new paint colour. A full wrap is the right choice if you want a colour change, total protection of the original paint, or a complete visual transformation.
What Is a Partial Wrap?
A partial wrap covers selected panels rather than the entire vehicle. Common choices include the roof, hood, mirror caps, bumpers or door handles. Some people choose a partial wrap to create a two-tone look (for example, a black roof on a white car), while others use it to protect the most vulnerable areas against stone chips. For businesses, a partial wrap can also mean logo graphics and branding on doors and the tailgate, without covering the entire vehicle.
Comparison: Full Wrap vs. Partial Wrap
Here is a side-by-side comparison of the key factors:
| Factor | Full Wrap | Partial Wrap |
|---|---|---|
| Price (passenger car) | From NOK 29,950 excl. VAT | From NOK 8,000 excl. VAT |
| Installation time | 3-5 working days | 1-2 working days |
| Coverage | 100% of visible surfaces | 25-75% of visible surfaces |
| Colour change | Yes, complete | Limited (two-tone effect) |
| Paint protection | Entire vehicle | Only wrapped areas |
| Durability | 5-7 years | 5-7 years |
| Maintenance | Standard wrap care | Same, but easier with smaller area |
| Registration required | Yes, for colour changes | Typically not required |
| Best suited for | Colour change, total protection | Accent details, budget option, fleet graphics |
All prices are based on our vehicle wrapping pricing guide.
When Should You Choose a Full Wrap?
You Want a Colour Change
Want your car to go from white to matte black, from grey to satin green, or something entirely unique? A full wrap is the only option that delivers a consistent result. Read our complete guide to car colour change with vinyl wrap for everything about the process. A partial wrap in a colour different from the vehicle's original paint will always have visible transitions between wrapped and unwrapped surfaces.
You Want to Protect the Entire Paint
Vinyl film acts as a shield against stone chips, bird droppings, tree sap and UV rays. With a full wrap, the entire vehicle is protected. When the film is removed after a few years, the original paint is in the same condition as the day the wrap was applied. That is a significant advantage when it comes to resale or trade-in value.
You Want Maximum Visual Impact
A fully wrapped vehicle delivers a unified, professional appearance. There are no transitions, no colour differences, just a clean and striking result from every angle.
Commercial Vehicle with Full Branding
Businesses that want their fleet to serve as mobile advertising get the most visibility with a full wrap. The entire vehicle becomes a billboard that works for you in traffic, in car parks and at customer sites. Read more about commercial vehicle wrapping and fleet branding for ROI calculations and design tips.
When Should You Choose a Partial Wrap?
Budget Is a Priority
A partial wrap costs a fraction of a full wrap. If you only want the roof and mirror caps wrapped, you are looking at an investment starting from around NOK 8,000. It is a smart way to upgrade your vehicle's appearance without a major financial commitment.
You Want a Two-Tone Look
Black roof on a white car? Carbon fibre look on mirror caps and front splitter? A partial wrap is perfect for creating contrasts that give your vehicle a sportier or more exclusive feel. Combined with chrome delete on the chrome trim, you get a complete visual upgrade. Many car manufacturers offer two-tone paint as a factory option at a steep price. A partial wrap gives you the same result at a fraction of the cost.
Stone Chip Protection on Vulnerable Areas
The hood and front bumper take the most punishment from stone chips. By wrapping these areas (ideally with PPF for the best protection), you protect the paint where it matters most. Read more about this in our article on stone chip protection.
Simple Fleet Branding
Many businesses do not need a full vehicle wrap. A logo set on the doors and tailgate is often enough to give the vehicle a professional look and increase brand visibility. Partial wraps with fleet graphics start from NOK 3,500 for a basic logo set.
Durability and Maintenance
Both full and partial wraps have the same expected lifespan: 5 to 7 years with quality film from 3M or Avery Dennison. Maintenance is the same as well. Wash by hand with a mild car shampoo, avoid high-pressure washers directly on film edges, remove bird droppings promptly, and park in the shade when possible. We have written a complete guide with maintenance tips for wrapped vehicles.
The main difference is that a partial wrap gives you less surface area to maintain, and that you need to pay slightly more attention to the transitions between wrapped and unwrapped surfaces. These edges can lift over time if the vehicle is washed carelessly with high-pressure equipment.
Does Wrapping Affect Resale Value?
Wrapping protects the original paint, which can increase resale value. A vehicle with flawless original paint beneath the film is more attractive to the next owner than one with stone chip damage and sun-faded paint.
A full wrap naturally provides the best protection, since the entire paint surface is covered. But even a partial wrap on the hood and front protects the most vulnerable areas.
One important point: the film should be removed professionally before selling if the buyer prefers the original colour. Quality film from 3M and Avery Dennison is designed to be removed without damaging the paint, provided it was installed correctly in the first place.
Can You Combine Wrapping with PPF?
Yes, and it is actually a popular combination. Many people choose a full colour-change wrap for the aesthetics, and then add PPF (paint protection film) on the most exposed areas such as the hood, headlights and side mirrors. PPF offers superior protection against stone chips compared to standard vinyl wrap film.
You can read more about what PPF is and what it costs.
What Does It Cost at Show Off AS?
We are transparent about pricing. Here are the starting points for passenger cars:
- Full wrap compact car (Golf, Polo): From NOK 29,950 excl. VAT
- Full wrap mid-size (3 Series, Model 3): From NOK 32,950 excl. VAT
- Full wrap SUV (X5, Q7): From NOK 35,950 excl. VAT
- Partial wrap (roof, hood, mirrors): From NOK 8,000 excl. VAT
- Fleet graphics logo set: From NOK 3,500 excl. VAT
The exact price depends on the vehicle type, film type and scope of work. Get in touch for a no-obligation quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a full wrap and a partial wrap?
A full wrap covers every visible exterior surface of the vehicle with vinyl film, while a partial wrap covers only selected panels such as the roof, hood or mirror caps. A full wrap is best for colour changes, while a partial wrap is a more affordable option for accent details or fleet branding.
How much cheaper is a partial wrap than a full wrap?
A partial wrap starts from approximately NOK 8,000, while a full wrap starts from approximately NOK 29,950 (both excl. VAT). You save roughly 60-70% by choosing a partial wrap, but you also get less coverage and cannot achieve a complete colour change.
Does a partial wrap last as long as a full wrap?
Yes. Both have an expected lifespan of 5 to 7 years with quality film and proper maintenance. The film itself has the same durability regardless of whether it covers the entire vehicle or just parts of it.
Do I need to register a colour change with the authorities?
Only for a full wrap where the vehicle's primary colour changes. If you wrap a white car entirely in black, for example, it must be reported. A partial wrap with accent colours (such as a black roof on a white car) typically does not require registration, since the vehicle's primary colour remains the same.
Can I wrap a few panels now and add more later?
It is technically possible, but we do not recommend it for colour change wraps. Film applied at different times can have slight colour variations between production batches, and the film already on the vehicle will have been exposed to sun and weather. For accent details in a contrasting colour (such as a black roof), however, adding more details later is perfectly fine.