Metallic is the wrap finish that most consistently passes for factory paint. Pearl, flake, and brushed metal cover the three styles that account for nearly every metallic wrap installed. This page covers cost across vehicle classes, the three sub-types and what each looks like in person, the colour-matching workflow for OEM metallic codes, and the films that hold flake stability past year five.
Quick answer
Metallic adds +15 to +25% over gloss. Sedan $2,875 to $6,250. SUV $4,025 to $7,500. Truck $4,600 to $10,000. Five to seven year life. Closest finish to factory metallic paint. Three sub-types: pearl, flake, brushed metal.
Three sub-types
Style 01
+15 to +20% over gloss
A translucent pearl layer over a coloured base gives a soft luminescent depth that shifts subtly with viewing angle. The effect is dignified rather than flashy. Reads as factory pearl paint, which is exactly what most pearl owners want. Best suited to white, silver, light blue, and champagne bases.
Best for: Luxury sedans, executive cars, owners who want depth without spectacle.
Style 02
+20 to +25% over gloss
Reflective particles suspended in the colour layer create the sparkle that catches sunlight. Particle size determines whether the wrap reads as subtle (small flake) or aggressive (coarse flake, often called metal-flake or candy flake). Coarse flake reads as custom hot-rod, fine flake reads as factory premium.
Best for: Custom builds, classic cars, hot-rod restorations.
Style 03
+20 to +25% over gloss
Textured topcoat mimics the directional grain of machined aluminum or stainless steel. Highly directional, looks best with the grain running horizontal along the body. Most common as a partial accent on roof, hood, or trunk lid rather than as a full-body finish, because full-body reads as costume.
Best for: Accent panels, custom builds, modern luxury crossovers.
Cost by vehicle class
| Vehicle class | Metallic full wrap | Per square foot |
|---|---|---|
| Coupe (2-door) | $2,300 to $5,000 | $8 to $12 |
| Sedan (4-door) | $2,875 to $6,250 | $8 to $12 |
| SUV / Crossover | $4,025 to $7,500 | $8 to $12 |
| Pickup Truck | $4,025 to $8,750 | $8 to $12 |
| Full-size Van | $4,600 to $10,000 | $8 to $12 |
| Exotic / Supercar | $6,900 to $15,000 | $8 to $12 |
OEM colour matching
Most luxury OEM metallic colours have direct vinyl equivalents. The colour-matching workflow runs through Avery Dennison Custom Colour, Inozetek custom-order, and KPMF special-order services. Specialist wrap shops keep colour swatch books that match BMW Storm Bay, Audi Mythos Black, Tesla Midnight Silver, Mercedes Selenite Grey, and several hundred other OEM codes.
The lead time on a custom colour match is two to four weeks from order. The pricing premium over standard stock metallic is roughly 20 to 30 percent because the rolls are made-to-order in small batches. A custom OEM-matched metallic sedan wrap that would cost $3,500 in a stock colour lands at $4,200 to $4,500 with a custom match.
For owners doing a same-colour respray (existing factory metallic paint that is faded or damaged) the custom match approach is the cleanest path. The result is indistinguishable from a new respray at roughly 40 percent of the body-shop price.
Metallic films
| Brand and product | Tier | Warranty | Roll price (DIY) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avery Dennison SW900 Supreme Wrap | premium | 7 years | $700 to $900 |
| VViViD XPO | budget | 4 years | $300 to $450 |
| Oracal 970RA | mid | 7 years | $500 to $700 |
All five films listed offer metallic options. Avery SW900 has the widest metallic range across pearl, flake, and brushed sub-types. 3M 2080 offers cleaner pearl options. Hexis HX20000 sits between the two on availability. Mid and budget options work for accent panels and short-term applications.
Metallic FAQ
Updated 2026-04-27