If you’re looking for a Tesla Model 3 car wrap, you may have asked yourself these questions:
- Will a vinyl wrap provide the same paint protection film benefits?
- How much does it cost to wrap a Tesla Model 3?
- What color and style should I ultimately pick?
- Can I wrap a Tesla myself? Or where can I find a reputable shop that doesn’t charge an arm and a leg?
Regardless of whether you’re looking for the craziest of wraps or just adding a subtle finish to your car’s look,
This guide describes everything you need to know about vinyl car wraps for your Tesla Model 3.
Pay attention if you want to save money: this guide includes advice from a Tesla owner who wrapped his Model 3 successfully without prior experience.
Feel free to scroll down to the visual guide if image examples are what you’re after.
Let’s dive right in!
PPF vs. Vinyl: How Much Does It Cost to Wrap a Tesla Model 3?
Wraps can refer to either vinyl wraps or paint protection film (PPF for short). We’ll focus primarily on vinyl wraps, but let’s compare the cost of both.
A complete Tesla Model 3 wrap job costs north of $3,200 USD in most areas.
Experienced shops in high cost of living states may charge up to $6,000 while shops in less expensive areas charge as little as $2,000.
PPF wrap jobs tend to be more expensive, although they have the option of a partial wrap which can cut the price in half or more.
To fully wrap your Tesla with PPF, you’ll easily pay a shop $5,000 to $8,000 — although you may find shops that do a partial front-end job for $1,200 to $1,800.
Comparing material costs, PPF also tends to be much more expensive.
While two 3M vinyl 5′ by 30′ rolls (enough to wrap a Model 3 and then some) may cost you close to a grand,
Enough PPF material to cover an entire Model 3 may cost you twice as much.
Partial PPF jobs are not uncommon due to higher material costs.
What’s the best film to protect your Tesla, though?
AMMO NYC dos an incredible job comparing paint protection film to vinyl wrap on 6 different categories, including durability and cost:
PPF wraps “heal themselves,” meaning that minor scratches go away with heat — and by being 6 to 10 mm of thickness, PPF wrap is not as easy to penetrate.
Vinyl wrap, which can be as thin as 2 mm, provides protection against minor scratches but not to the same extent.
Regarding aesthetics, companies like XPEL have developed PPF films with different finishes to provide a unique look. Aesthetics customizations remain limited compared to vinyl, though.
In short, paint protection film is designed to preserve your paint from harsh elements like rock chips, dings, and minor impacts.
Vinyl wraps are usually aesthetics upgrades overall.
How to Save Yourself $4,000+
Yes, you can save some money if you wrap your Tesla yourself.
You can find Tesla owners who bought everything needed to wrap their car for under $700.
Wrapping a vehicle is a time-consuming process. That’s why shops charge you so much money.
See the Tesla owner above who “only” spent $700?
Well, it took him 30 hours of work to get everything done!
Sure, you’re saving in the order of $4,000.
Unless you get paid in excess of $100/hr, it can be worth it.
But if you’re not keen to learn the trait and go through the learning curve, finding a reputable shop will be your safest bet.
If you want to save thousands of dollars, though, I’ve compiled the best tips and installation videos in this article —
They’ll make your DIY project much, much easier.
As this TMC member and first-time Tesla Model 3 car wrap DIY’er said,
“In this YouTube age, anyone can do anything with proper research.”
A Visual Guide to Picking Your Favorite Wrap Color & Finish
Regardless of the color or finish you want, there’s a wrap to fit your needs.
Below I include as many examples as I could find to give you a clear idea of how these wraps may look like in your Model 3.
When available, I include the wrap name and link within each image’s caption — so you can continue to research the wraps that get your attention.
Common Tesla Model 3 Car Wrap Examples
Coupled with a chrome delete and some black rims, this classic look never gets old.
A simple white wrap that, when seen from an angle and under certain lighting conditions, has some rainbow-like reflects.
A good choice for white Model 3 owners looking to maintain their color to a certain extent.
Not a fan of satin or glossy finishes? Matte black may just be the finish you’re after.
Arguably better-looking (and probably more durable) than Tesla’s original blue paint.
You can almost see the dragon flames 🐉 … My favorite so far.
I do like this gray. It airs on the whiter side and almost has a stainless steel look to it.
Makes me think of the oh-so-interesting Tesla Cybertruck.
Ever wanted a gray not as dark as Tesla’s OEM Silver paint? This is the style you’re looking for.
Subtle, More Unique Tesla Model 3 Car Wrap Examples
Resembles a toy in my opinion… but a valid color for those who like it.
Yup, Model 3 is worth its weight in gold. So much so this owner wrapped it in a rose gold-like color.
Not exactly appealing to me, although interesting.
I wonder how a similar color would look like with a glossy finish.
Pure gold for those willing to give their car a 14K appearance.
This wrap may look more interesting with a camouflage print somewhere. Possibly in the front fenders or the rocker panels.
What do you think?
Crazy Tesla Model 3 Car Wrap Examples To Blow Your Mind
Talk about a fish out of the water…
Not to be confused with a Korean taxi either. Just kidding!
Guaranteed to be the water-cooler topic of the month… every month.
It can’t be appreciated in this picture but this wrap has a blue-ish tone in certain angles.
Cool but not my taste.
Somewhat similar to the Gloss Flip Deep Space but much more subtle.
One of the few “crazy” wraps I’d actually consider.
Dude… that looks temptingly good.
Given its black color in low lighting conditions, I’d actually consider it too.
Quite an elegant array of blue and purple shades.
Interesting to look at but a little bit too loud for me.
Geez… this is getting crazy. It truly looks surreal.
Awesome for auto shows. Not sure someone would want this for a daily driver.
Looks are subjective but these examples will guide you in the right direction to determine what style suits you.
I’m a simple man who usually sticks to neutral colors…
Although I must admit 3M’s Satin Gold Dust and Satin Flip Volcano Flare did catch my attention.
3M vs. Avery: Which Brand Has The Best Wrapping Material?
Just like for window tint films, various brands exist — each with its own pros and cons.
To put the main two brands to the test, CK Wraps, a popular car wrapping YouTube channel, pulled and tore apart samples.
Strength against pulling is important because snapping 12 feet of vinyl in half during installation becomes extremely likely — and that’s money wasted.
At the 5-minute mark, he rates Avery & 3M from 1 to 10 in his test, 10 being extremely hard to tear and rip apart.
Avery rated 5 on average — while 3M scored a whopping 2, making it the worst performer.
In terms of ease of use and installation, however, Avery gets all the compliments.
You may also have an easier time removing Avery’s wrap without damaging your paint.
Avery’s Achilles heel? Lifespan seems to be on the shorter end.
What about looks, though?
EVS Motors laid out all 3M’s and Avery’s shades of black to compare them.
Avery’s black seems to have a slightly darker and shinier tone, especially the Satin Black variant.
Both are extremely similar overall.
Inozotek, an up-and-coming brand, is also showcased in the latter half of the video.
It’s touted as an extremely clear wrapping material that resembles paint more closely.
Although shops near you may not work with Inozotek, feel free to check out their website if you’re looking for a crystal-clear wrap.
3M Pros and Cons:
✅ Virtually every shop will work with 3M material
✅ Wide color availability
✅ Lasts longer and may be backed by a warranty
❌ Extremely easy to snap when overstretched
❌ May be harder to remove years down the road
❌ May be harder to install
Avery Dennison Pros and Cons:
✅ Easiest brand to install and remove. Ideal for first-time DIY’ers
✅ Touted as the best choice among installers and Tesla owners
✅ Widely known, though not as established as 3M
❌ May not last as long
❌ Thinner material. Not as protective
Where to Find Reputable Shops
Here’s a list of certified car wrap installers in Canada and the United States, as published by Avery back in 2016.
3M also has a map/locator of graphic installers on their website.
Call several shops in your area to get the best price.
Consider looking for the installer’s website (or profile in Yelp and Google Reviews) to verify whether the Tesla community has been happy with their work.
You may also use Google or forum searches (e.g. “{name of shop}” + “Tesla Model 3 wrap”) to find out if Tesla owners have shared their experience with the installer in question.
If you’re the type of person that likes to have all jobs done by the original manufacturer, know this:
Tesla released a wrapping service in 2020 for Chinese customers.
As of this writing, however, it’s unclear whether a similar service will ever be released to North American customers.
Wrapping Your Model 3 At Home: DIY Tips & Tricks
The tools you need to do the job are the following:
- The wrap film itself (approx. 5′ x 60′)
- A heat gun
- A squeegee
- A precision knife
- A roll of knifeless tape
- At least 8 oz of 70% Isopropyl Alcohol
- A spray bottle
- A professional-grade micro-fiber cloth
How much film material is needed?
Five feet of width is the standard — and is enough for small to midsize vehicles like the Model 3.
As a rule of thumb for determining length, CarWrapSupplier suggests you multiply the length of your car times 3.
(This makes sense intuitively to cover the front, the back, and both sides.)
The Tesla Model 3 is ~15.5 feet long. Multiplying by 3, we get 46.5 feet.
This calculation suggests that ordering 50 feet of the film would be enough but probably cutting it close for a first-timer.
A total of 60′ of length (or two 5′ by 30′ rolls) may be more adequate.
The most helpful, in-depth DIY tutorial is a 5-part series created by the guy behind Ideal Cars in a collaboration with VViViD vinyls:
I’ll summarize the tips in an easy-to-understand bulleted list below, but I’d encourage you to check out the entire series once you have every tool you need on hand.
» Part 2: Measuring Enough Material, Surface Preparation, & First Vinyl Application.
» Part 3: How to Remove Bubbles & Wrinkles, Squeegee Technique.
» Part 4: Dealing With Curves, Overlaying Vinyl, & Using Knifeless Tape.
» Part 5: Dealing With Handles, Steps to Avoid Edge Failure, & Post-Application Treatment.
Key tips:
- Get acclimated to the vinyl. Feel it, stretch it, heat it to remove imperfections, and even consider putting some on a smaller device (e.g. your phone) before you start wrapping the car.
- Clean the vehicle thoroughly before you begin. Dirt will prevent the adhesive from sticking to the surface. Use alcohol and a microfiber cloth for a final wipe just before application.
- Make sure the vehicle is completely dry and never use liquid solutions on the wrap. If the wrap gets wet, dealing with it will become much harder.
- Get a friend to help you stretch out the film so you can lay it out as flat as possible.
- Slightly fold the squeegee and use ~45-degree angles to remove wrinkles more effectively.
- Work out difficult parts in multiple segments. Don’t feel like you have to cover every part with a single piece of vinyl.
- Use knifeless tape (and heat) to easily overlay multiple pieces of the wrap without leaving noticeable marks.
Here are other important tips I gathered from a few first-time DIY’ers in Tesla forums:
- Do the bumpers last. Start with the easiest parts (e.g. hood) to build confidence as you go.
- Good lighting is crucial to identify air bubbles — and remove them before it’s too late.
- Cut pieces a little larger than necessary. The material will inevitably shrink with heat.
- If possible, make it easy on you by using fresh blades. You want sharp blades to avoid the need for extra force (and the risk of damaging your car).
- With heat and some patience, even the most horrendous wrinkles and mistakes can be fixed. Don’t give up!
You can also consider removing the handles, headlights, and rearview mirror beforehand to simplify the wrapping process.
This is something professionals suggest — though Tesla owners have wrapped their car successfully without disassembling any parts.
Tools For The Job
If you’ve decided to do the job yourself, below are a few more details on the tools you’ll need to get the job done.
Even if you plan to hire a shop to do the job for you, don’t write these tools off — consider them for ongoing maintenance.
To save you time, I’m including the best-value Amazon products in their respective categories.
You’re free to shop around for alternative products or visit your nearest convenience store.
Best Value Heat Gun: SEEKONE
✅ #1 Best Seller on the Heat Guns category
✅ 50 – 650 °C (120 – 1200 °F) temperature control.
✅ Useful for many heating purposes — including installing vinyl wraps, car bumper restoration, removing paint or floor tiles, softening adhesives, bending plastic or thin metal, and more.
✅ 95% of reviewers rated this heat gun favorably.
❌ Heat gun may take some time to reach the desired temperature
❌ Plastic body may deteriorate fast under higher operating temperatures
Affordable, Quality Squeegees »
✅ #1 Best-seller in its category
✅ Useful for window tint and other wrap jobs
✅ 2-squeegees kit
#1 Sharpest Precision Knife »
✅ Very sharp and durable coated blade
✅ Easy to hold (like a pencil) for precision cutting
✅ Most popular precision knife. More than 20,000 positive ratings
❌ Safety cap may fall or break prematurely
❌ Set doesn’t come with extra blades
Best-Value Knifeless Tape »
✅ Intuitive and easy to use (even for a first-timer)
✅ Comes in 3M packaging despite being half the price compared to other Amazon products
Professional-Grade Microfiber Cloth »
✅ #1 Best-seller in its category
✅ Recommended by the Tesla community
✅ Lint-, scratch-free cloth
✅ Recommended by professionals
✅ Available in 3- and 12-pack
32oz (950 ml) Spray Bottles »
✅ Amazon’s Choice
✅ Proven reliable by customers
✅ Quality, affordable alternative to Chemical Guys or Meguiar’s
Frequent Buyer Concerns
- Can I wrap my Tesla myself?
Although not an easy task, many Tesla owners have wrapped their cars without prior experience — and have done a good job.
It requires patience and a steady hand, though.
Getting a friend or relative to help you out is extremely beneficial.
Consider taking your phone, laptop, or old tablet/iPad to practice with those devices first.
This will help you get a feel for the wrapping process before trying it out on your vehicle.
- Can I unwrap a wrapped car?
Yes.
When installed properly, you should easily remove the wrap without any damage to your car’s original paint.
Make sure to remove the wrap during the timeframe the manufacturer recommends.
Avery Dennison, as an example, suggests their wraps last 3 to 5 years.
- How much does it cost to wrap a Tesla Model 3 with vinyl?
Professional installers are likely to quote $4,200 to $6,000 for a full wrap, according to Tesla owners’ threads.
The film material, however, can usually be purchased for less than $1,000.
- Can I wrap a leased Tesla?
Double-check your lease agreement to verify whether wrapping your vehicle has any implications.
You may get away with wrapping a leased vehicle as long as you unwrap it before turning it back to the dealership.
- How long does a wrap last?
The expected lifespan for most wraps is 5 to 7 years.
Some wrap brands provide a 5-year warranty, but such warranties can be very hard to claim.
This is especially true if you did the wrapping job yourself or labor mistakes are a potential culprit.
- Can you drive a wrapped car through a car wash?
This is a common concern on Tesla forums.
Personally, I would advise against going through brush car washes within the first week of having the wrap done.
I’d also advise against doing so on a regular basis (e.g. every week or more frequently) as brushes can slowly degrade the film over time.
If the job was done correctly, though, an occasional car wash shouldn’t peel, lift, or degrade the film in any significant way.
I’d stick to a brushless car wash to be conservative.
Wrapping Up: Tesla Model 3 Car Wrap Guide
A Tesla Model 3 car wrap will offer you protection and a great deal of style.
I hope the image examples above gave you some direction regarding the style you’re looking for.
The first step is to pick your favorite wrap — knowing that 3M wraps are easily available in a wide variety of colors while Avery wraps are stronger, easier to install, and overall, offer a better bang for your buck.
Then, find a reputable installer in your area — or, if you’re taking on the DIY challenge, watch the 5-part series above and trust that you can make it work!
