Car wraps.
Full and partial color change wraps for personal vehicles, in 335 films from 3M 2080 and TeckWrap. Installed in St. Petersburg for drivers across Tampa Bay.
New color. Your paint underneath.
A color change wrap covers your car's painted panels in automotive vinyl film. It changes the color and finish completely, and it can come off later without touching the paint below.
The film is laid over sound factory paint panel by panel, then formed around curves and edges so it looks like paint. Wraps also open up finishes that are hard to get from a paint shop, like color shift, satin chrome and brushed metal.
Full or partial.
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01
Full color change
Every painted exterior panel in a new color or finish, with edges wrapped around the panel returns so it looks like paint. Door jambs can be added to the scope when you want the color to carry through with the doors open.
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02
Partial wraps
Roofs, hoods, mirrors, pillars and accents, usually in a color or finish that contrasts with the paint.
Full vs. partial
| Full color change | Partial wrap | |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage | Every painted exterior panel | Selected panels or accents |
| The look | A completely new color | Contrast against your existing paint |
| Films | Any film in the library | Any film in the library |
| Time and cost | More film, more studio time | Less film, less studio time |
| Good for | Changing the color of the whole car | Black roofs and mirrors, hood accents, two-tone looks |
Pick the finish.
335 films across seven finish families.
- 01Gloss83 films
- 02Satin48 films
- 03Matte32 films
- 04Metallic93 films
- 05Chrome28 films
- 06Color Shift32 films
- 07Textures19 films
Consult to handover.
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Consult
01We see the car in person, check the paint, hold real film samples against it in daylight and agree on the scope before anything is ordered.
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Prep & lay
02The car is washed and decontaminated so the film bonds to clean, sound paint. Then the film is positioned and laid panel by panel.
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Form
03Bumpers, recesses and curves are worked by hand with heat so the film follows every line.
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Edge & finish
04Edges are trimmed and tucked, every panel is inspected, and you leave with care instructions for your film.
What sets the price.
- 01
Vehicle size
More surface means more film and more hours. A coupe and a full-size SUV are different jobs.
- 02
Film choice
Standard gloss, satin and matte colors cost less than chrome, color shift and textured films, which are pricier and slower to install.
- 03
Coverage
Full body, a few panels, door jambs or just accents. You decide how far it goes.
- 04
Body complexity
Deep bumper recesses, vents, spoilers and tight curves take longer to form and trim than flat panels.
- 05
Prep work
Film needs sound paint to bond to. Chips, failing clear coat or a previous respray can mean extra prep, and we flag it at the consult.
- 06
Labor
Studio hours are part of every quote, and they grow with the size and complexity of the job.
Wrap care in Florida.
Sun, heat, salt air and lovebug season are hard on any finish. Most of keeping a wrap sharp comes down to how you wash it.
- 01
Wait a week
Skip washing for the first week after installation so the adhesive can reach full bond.
- 02
Wash by hand
Rinse off grit first, then use a mild, non-abrasive car soap and a soft mitt. Touchless washes are fine. Brush washes can scratch, dull and lift edges.
- 03
Pressure wash with care
Stay under 2,000 psi and 180°F, use a 40° wide nozzle, and keep it at least a foot away and square to the panel. Never aim at an edge.
- 04
Get bugs off fast
Lovebugs, bird droppings and tree sap do the most damage when they bake on in the sun. Soften them with hot, soapy water for a few minutes, then rinse. No scrubbing.
- 05
Find some shade
UV and heat age film fastest on the hood, roof and trunk. A garage, carport or shade makes a real difference in Florida, and a fresh water rinse after salt spray helps near the coast.
- 06
No wax on matte
Skip wax, polish and cutting compounds on matte and textured films. They fill the texture and leave shiny patches. Use products made for wraps, and ask which suit your film.
Questions, answered.
How much does a car wrap cost?
It depends on the car, the film and how much of it you cover. A partial wrap in a standard color and a full color change in chrome are very different jobs. Book a consult and we'll quote your car.
How long does a car wrap last?
It depends on the film, the finish and how the car lives. Manufacturers rate their films for several years of outdoor use, specialty films like chrome typically for less, and horizontal panels in full Florida sun age fastest.
Garage parking and good washing habits extend it. We go through the rating for the exact film you choose at the consult.
Is a wrap removable?
Yes. Quality wrap film is designed to come off cleanly from sound factory paint. Paint that has been resprayed, chipped or is already failing can lift with the film, which is why we check paint condition before we start.
Should I wrap or paint my car?
A wrap is reversible, keeps your original paint underneath and unlocks finishes like color shift, satin chrome and brushed metal. A quality respray is permanent and can outlast film, but the original paint is gone for good.
Neither one fixes dents or failing clear coat. Both need a sound surface to start from.
How do I wash a wrapped car?
By hand or through a touchless wash. Wait a week after installation, avoid brush washes, keep a pressure washer under 2,000 psi and at least a foot away, and never aim it at an edge. The full routine is in wrap care above.
Do you wrap commercial or fleet vehicles?
No. GCAT works on personal vehicles only: color changes, chrome delete, custom graphics and specialty finishes for your own car.
Where is the studio?
GCAT is a private studio in St. Petersburg, Florida, serving drivers across Tampa Bay, including Tampa. Visits are by confirmed appointment only, and location details are provided once your appointment is confirmed.
Recent work.
BMW 4 Series Convertible
Color change / Color-shift gray
BMW M6 Gran Coupé
Color change / Matte blackReady to change color?
Tell us about the car. We'll set a time to see it in St. Petersburg and pick the film together.