Car Wraps
Partial Wraps: Design Gallery & Complete Pricing Guide 2025
Blackout Window Tinting
9 min read
Partial vinyl wraps transform your vehicle without the full wrap cost. See our design gallery and get pricing for roof, hood, accent, and custom partial wraps
Full wraps aren't for everyone. Maybe you love your car's color but want some accents. Maybe budget is a factor. Maybe you want to test the waters before committing to a full transformation.
Partial wraps give you options.
What Are Partial Wraps?
Partial wraps cover selected panels rather than the entire vehicle. Instead of wrapping every surface, you choose specific areas for transformation:
- Roof and hood
- Mirrors and trim
- Rocker panels and fenders
- Specific accent areas
- Commercial branding panels
The result is a customized look at 20-40% of full wrap cost.
Popular Partial Wrap Options
Roof Wraps
The classic partial wrap. Changes the visual profile of any vehicle.
Materials:
- Gloss black (most popular)
- Matte black (stealth look)
- Carbon fiber texture
- Color-matched accents
- Panoramic roof simulation
Best on: Sedans, coupes, SUVs with factory sunroofs
Cost range: $400-$700
Why it works: Creates a two-tone look that was once an expensive factory option.
Hood Wraps
Aggressive styling without a full commitment.
Materials:
- Matte black/carbon fiber
- Racing stripes
- Performance graphics
- Color contrast wraps
Best on: Sports cars, muscle cars, trucks
Cost range: $400-$800
Why it works: The hood is the most visible panel from the driver's seat and forward angles.
Roof + Hood Combo
The most popular partial wrap package.
Together, roof and hood wraps create a cohesive sport or racing aesthetic:
Materials: Usually matching (both matte black, both carbon fiber)
Best on: Any vehicle wanting a sport-inspired look
Cost range: $700-$1,200
Why it works: These panels are visible from almost every angle, creating maximum impact with minimum coverage.
Mirror Wraps
Small panels, big impact.
Materials:
- Contrasting colors
- Chrome or gloss accents
- Carbon fiber
- Color-matched to other wraps
Best on: Any vehicle, especially dark-colored cars
Cost range: $100-$250
Why it works: Mirrors catch attention disproportionate to their size.
Rocker Panel Wraps
The performance car signature.
Coverage along the lower body sides:
Materials:
- Matte or gloss black
- Racing stripes/graphics
- Carbon fiber accents
Best on: Sports cars, coupes, performance sedans
Cost range: $300-$600
Why it works: Frames the car visually and adds aggressive stance.
Fender Accents
Targeted customization.
Front or rear fender coverage:
Materials:
- Wide body fender flares
- Racing-inspired graphics
- Carbon fiber overlays
Best on: Sports cars, muscle cars
Cost range: $400-$800 (per pair)
Pillar Wraps
Blacked-out or accented pillars.
Coverage on A, B, and C pillars:
Materials:
- Gloss or satin black
- Chrome delete (black out chrome trim)
- Carbon fiber
Best on: Trucks, SUVs, sedans with chrome pillars
Cost range: $200-$500
Why it works: Creates a more modern, streamlined look.
Commercial Partial Wraps
Business branding on select panels.
Strategic coverage for business visibility:
Common coverage:
- Door panels (maximum visibility)
- Tailgate/rear (following traffic)
- Hood (parked visibility)
- Partial side graphics
Best on: Work trucks, vans, fleet vehicles
Cost range: $500-$2,500 (depending on design complexity)
Partial Wrap Design Gallery
Performance Aesthetics
Look 1: Track-Day Inspired
- Black satin roof
- Matching black hood
- Black mirror caps
- Maintains factory color
Creates the factory "Black Package" look many manufacturers charge $2,000+ for.
Look 2: Carbon Fiber Aggressive
- Carbon fiber texture roof
- Carbon fiber hood
- Carbon fiber mirror caps
- Carbon door handle overlays
Adds exotic car visual elements to mainstream vehicles.
Look 3: Rally-Inspired
- Contrasting roof color
- Hood numbers/graphics
- Rocker stripes
- Over-fender graphics
Transforms daily drivers into weekend warrior aesthetics.
Luxury Styling
Look 4: Blacked-Out Chrome
- All chrome trim → gloss black
- Black emblems
- Black window surrounds
- Maintains paint color
Modern, aggressive luxury look that's extremely popular.
Look 5: Two-Tone Elegance
- Contrasting roof color (not black)
- Color-matched mirrors
- Subtle accent lines
Classic luxury two-tone reimagined.
Commercial Branding
Look 6: Door Panel Branding
- Logo on front doors
- Contact info on rear panels
- Clean, professional design
Maximum visibility with minimal investment.
Look 7: Tailgate Billboard
- Large logo on tailgate
- Company info and services
- QR code for immediate customer action
Vehicle behind you is reading your message.
Partial Wrap Pricing Guide
Simple Partial Wraps
| Coverage | Vinyl Only | Installed |
|---|---|---|
| Roof | $150-$300 | $400-$700 |
| Hood | $150-$300 | $400-$800 |
| Mirrors (pair) | $30-$60 | $100-$250 |
| Pillars (all) | $80-$150 | $200-$500 |
Popular Packages
| Package | Includes | Installed Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Sport Package | Roof + hood | $700-$1,200 |
| Blackout Package | Roof, hood, mirrors, pillars | $1,200-$1,800 |
| Chrome Delete | All chrome trim | $500-$1,500 |
| Half Wrap | Upper or lower body | $1,500-$2,500 |
Pricing Factors
What increases cost:
- Premium vinyl (carbon fiber, color-shift)
- Complex panel shapes
- Removal requirements (old wrap, trim)
- Design/graphic work
- Larger vehicle size
What reduces cost:
- Simple flat panels
- Standard vinyl colors
- Package deals (multiple panels)
- Repeat customer discounts
Full Wrap vs. Partial Wrap
When Partial Makes Sense
✅ Budget-focused: Want customization without full wrap investment
✅ Color-happy: Love your current paint, just want accents
✅ Test-driving: Want to see if you like wraps before going all-in
✅ Resale concerns: Less dramatic than full color change
✅ Quick turnaround: Partial wraps install faster
When Full Wrap Makes Sense
✅ Complete transformation: Want a totally different look
✅ Paint protection: Maximum coverage = maximum protection
✅ Color issues: Existing paint is faded/damaged/boring
✅ Ultimate customization: No limitations on design possibilities
The Math
| Scenario | Partial Wrap | Full Wrap |
|---|---|---|
| Investment | $500-$2,000 | $3,000-$7,000 |
| Coverage | 10-30% of vehicle | 100% of vehicle |
| Impact | Noticeable | Transformative |
| Installation time | 1 day | 3-5 days |
| Cost per panel | Higher | Lower |
Partial Wrap Installation
Process Overview
- Panel selection — Which areas are being wrapped?
- Vehicle prep — Cleaning, decontamination
- Vinyl application — Heat forming and adhering
- Edge wrapping — Tucking edges for durability
- Final inspection — Quality check
Timeline
| Scope | Typical Time |
|---|---|
| Single panel (hood or roof) | 2-4 hours |
| Roof + hood | 4-6 hours |
| Multi-panel package | 6-8 hours |
| Complex partial | 1-2 days |
Most partial wraps are same-day services.
Durability
Partial wraps last the same as full wraps when properly maintained:
- Quality vinyl: 5-7 years
- Premium vinyl: 7-10 years
- Maintained properly: Full lifespan
Caring for Partial Wraps
Edges Are Key
The most vulnerable part of any wrap is the edge. Partial wraps have more exposed edges than full wraps:
Protect edges by:
- Hand washing (touchless washes are OK)
- Avoiding high-pressure spray directly on edges
- Keeping wax and sealants away from edges
- Addressing lifting immediately
Matching Wear
Wrapped panels and painted panels age differently:
- Vinyl maintains color; paint fades
- After years, there may be contrast difference
- This is normal and generally not noticeable
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add more panels later?
Yes. Partial wraps can be expanded over time. We keep records of your vinyl type and color for matching.
Will wrap damage my paint?
No. Quality vinyl actually protects paint underneath. When removed, paint is typically in excellent condition.
How much of my car can I wrap before it's just a full wrap?
Generally, 60-70% coverage approaches full wrap territory. At that point, full wrap pricing often makes more sense.
Can I DIY a partial wrap?
Simpler panels (hoods, roofs) are more DIY-friendly than complex curves. However, professional installation ensures quality and longevity.
Do you color-match?
We match from manufacturer color libraries. True custom matching (Pantone, specific samples) is possible but adds cost.
Get Started with Partial Wraps
See what's possible for your vehicle.
📞 Call (408) 848-8468 for a free consultation
📍 Serving the Bay Area from our Gilroy shop
