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Paint: Can someone please explain how Rivian can justify charging $1,500/$2,500 for select colors?

discsinthesky

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Yes you have several options from a few manufacturers. What you are looking for is PPF (paint protection film), and it actually provides more protection for the paint than a vinyl wrap would as its thicker and developed to protect as opposed to changing color.

Xpel, suntek, 3M are 3 manufacturers I know of, I'm sure there are others. These three all make ppf that is clear and high gloss, or that gives your car a matte/satin looking finish. You can go anywhere from just a clear bra option that protects your front bumper to having the whole car wrapped to protect every surface of paint. Clear bras should be a few hundred bucks, a full car ppf will be 4-8k depending on the installer and location.

I do see people commenting that a vinyl color change wrap costs less than the ppf wrap, however the installer I used for ppf actually charged the same for each option. Im confident they had a much higher margin on the vinyl as its easier to install and I believe the materials cost less than ppf.

Another thing to keep in mind with a color changing wrap is they typically only wrap the outside of the vehicle, so when you open your doors, you'll see the underlying paint color. With a clear ppf you wouldn't have that.
Very helpful, thanks!

So a color change wrap is the cheaper way to go, but the trade-off is it's likely less aesthetic than a PPF wrap, and less protection. Lots of things to consider!

I wonder if any OEM has considered factory installs of PPFs? Seems like an add-on that some would spring for.
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Shzeph

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When I bought my Volvo the dealership offered a Protection Package that included PPF. It was only for the front/hood and the wheel arches, but definitely better than nothing.

Not quite an “OEM” install, but it shows that Rivian could totally offer factory-installed PPF
 

protamine

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When I bought my Volvo the dealership offered a Protection Package that included PPF. It was only for the front/hood and the wheel arches, but definitely better than nothing.

Not quite an “OEM” install, but it shows that Rivian could totally offer factory-installed PPF
Factory PPF is either outsourced or poorly applied, esp in the Porsche world. Better to spend a bit more and get it done local where you have customer service and choice. I would decline a Rivian PPF option.

You may want a paint correction before you wrap it anyways
 

Shzeph

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?‍♂ I mean, I’ve been happy with mine so far. But generally yeah, on the Rivian I’ll probably go aftermarket for PPF and such
 

Mathmonkey

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Very helpful, thanks!

So a color change wrap is the cheaper way to go, but the trade-off is it's likely less aesthetic than a PPF wrap, and less protection. Lots of things to consider!

I wonder if any OEM has considered factory installs of PPFs? Seems like an add-on that some would spring for.
I wouldn't necessarily say less aesthetic...your options with a vinyl wrap are literally endless since you can have them printed with any color or pattern. If you are only looking to impress people while driving around, the vinyl wrap might be a better option. But if protection is what you are going for, PPF is the better route from what I've seen (maybe there are PPFs that you can get custom colors and prints for the best of both?).

I would agree with the others, aftermarket wrapping would be preferred to Rivian unless Rivian gave bulletproof warranty on it. I had my Model Y wrapped last month, and its already been partially rewrapped because I wasn't 100% happy with the results...the customer service of a good installer is worth a lot imo, and its likely not something you would get from a manufacturer.
 

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Gshenderson

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For the wraps, are they durable enough to go through automated car washes on a regular basis? If I have to go to hand washing, it’s a non-starter for me.
 

davrow_R1T

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For the wraps, are they durable enough to go through automated car washes on a regular basis? If I have to go to hand washing, it’s a non-starter for me.
I wouldn't run a wrapped vehicle through car washes that use brushes. Also, the wrap has a short life expectancy, maybe 5 to 7 years.

I don't want you disappointed, there are downsides to vinyl wraps. I'll be budgeting $1,000 per year for rewrapping as needed.
 

discsinthesky

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I wouldn't run a wrapped vehicle through car washes that use brushes. Also, the wrap has a short life expectancy, maybe 5 to 7 years.

I don't want you disappointed, there are downsides to vinyl wraps. I'll be budgeting $1,000 per year for rewrapping as needed.
Does this general life expectancy apply to both vinyl and PPF wraps?
 

davrow_R1T

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Does this general life expectancy apply to both vinyl and PPF wraps?
PPF has a longer life expectancy. Vinyl is soft and degrades in the sun.

edit: I'm not an expert and have, in fact, never had a wrap or PPF. Just summarizing from my research. On the Internet what you read is sometimes worth what you pay for it. Sometimes less. ;)
 

ajdelange

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I've only seen it once that I am aware of and that was on an older S being used by a Tesla Ranger on his service calls. It looked pretty bad.
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