Vehicle Wrap Cost by Panel: Panel-by-Panel Pricing Guide
Most shops quote full wraps. But customers often need partial coverage. Understanding panel-by-panel costs lets you quote any configuration accurately—from a single hood to a three-quarter wrap.
Why Panel-by-Panel Pricing Matters
When you quote a full wrap, you're estimating the whole vehicle. But customers frequently want partial coverage. A business might want their logo on the side panels only. A personal vehicle owner might want to protect the hood from rock chips. A fleet customer might want consistent branding across the cab only.
Without panel-by-panel data, you're forced to estimate. "We'll do the sides and hood, so... 60% of the vehicle?" That guesswork leads to underquotes when you estimate low and lost jobs when you estimate high.
Panel-by-panel measurement gives you exact square footage for whatever combination a customer wants. You can quote a single rear quarter panel or a full three-quarter wrap with the same accuracy.
Standard Vehicle Panels and Surface Areas
Every vehicle has the same basic panels, but surface area varies by vehicle size and configuration. Here are typical ranges for standard configurations.
Hood
Sedans: 12-18 sqft | SUVs: 18-24 sqft | Trucks: 16-22 sqft
Roof
Sedans: 14-20 sqft | SUVs: 20-30 sqft | Trucks: 16-24 sqft
Front Door (each)
Sedans: 8-12 sqft | SUVs: 10-14 sqft | Trucks: 12-16 sqft
Rear Door (each)
Sedans: 8-12 sqft | SUVs: 10-14 sqft | Trucks: 12-16 sqft
Front Quarter Panel
Sedans: 10-14 sqft | SUVs: 14-20 sqft | Trucks: 16-22 sqft
Rear Quarter Panel
Sedans: 10-14 sqft | SUVs: 14-20 sqft | Trucks: 16-22 sqft
Trunk/Hatch
Sedans: 12-18 sqft | SUVs: 16-24 sqft | Trucks: 8-14 sqft
Bumper Covers (front/rear)
Each: 6-10 sqft depending on vehicle
Common Partial Wrap Configurations
Here are typical partial wrap configurations and what panels they include.
Hood and Roof
Coverage: 15-25% of vehicle surface
Typical use: Paint protection for commuter vehicles
Panels: Full hood, Full roof
Side Panels Only
Coverage: 50-55% of vehicle surface
Typical use: Commercial vehicle branding with factory paint front/rear
Panels: Front quarter panels (2), Front doors (2), Rear doors (2), Rear quarter panels (2)
Three-Quarter Wrap
Coverage: 75-80% of vehicle surface
Typical use: Color change or graphics with front bumper in body color
Panels: Hood, Roof, Side panels, Rear section
Cab Only (for trucks/sUVs)
Coverage: 45-55% of vehicle surface
Typical use: Fleet branding focusing on the customer-facing cab
Panels: Front doors, Rear doors, Cab roof section, Front quarter panels
Hood, Roof, and Trunk
Coverage: 35-45% of vehicle surface
Typical use: Protection for paint behind trucks and fleet vehicles
Panels: Full hood, Full roof, Trunk/hatch
How to Calculate Panel Costs
Panel cost calculation follows the same logic as full wrap pricing, applied to the specific panels in scope.
Material cost formula:
Panel Surface Area × Waste Factor × Material Price/sqft = Panel Material Cost
Apply a 15-25% waste factor for standard panels. Complex panels with recesses, curves, or compound geometry may need 25-30%.
Total material cost:
Sum of (each panel material cost) + Laminate (if applicable) + Accessories (3-5%)
Labor Estimation by Panel
Labor per panel depends on complexity, not just size. Flat panels like hoods and roofs are faster per square foot than panels with recesses, curves, and body lines.
| Panel | Complexity | Hours per Panel |
|---|---|---|
| Hood | Low-Medium | 1.5 - 3 hrs |
| Roof | Low (if flat) | 1.5 - 3 hrs |
| Front Quarter Panel | Medium | 2 - 4 hrs |
| Rear Quarter Panel | Medium | 2 - 4 hrs |
| Front Door | Medium | 2 - 3.5 hrs |
| Rear Door | Medium | 2 - 3.5 hrs |
| Trunk/Hatch | Medium | 1.5 - 3 hrs |
| Bumper Cover | High | 2 - 4 hrs |
These are estimates for experienced installers. Track your actual hours per panel type to refine these numbers for your specific shop and team.
Panel Pricing Reference (with $3.50/sqft material)
Using average surface areas and standard cast vinyl at $3.50/sqft with 20% waste factor. Labor at $30/hour fully loaded.
| Panel | Avg Sqft | Material (w/20% waste) | Avg Labor Hours | Labor Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hood (sedan) | 15 | $63 | 2.5 hrs | $75 |
| Roof (sedan) | 17 | $71 | 2.5 hrs | $75 |
| Front Door | 10 | $42 | 3 hrs | $90 |
| Rear Door | 10 | $42 | 3 hrs | $90 |
| Front Quarter Panel | 12 | $50 | 3.5 hrs | $105 |
| Rear Quarter Panel | 12 | $50 | 3.5 hrs | $105 |
| Trunk | 15 | $63 | 2 hrs | $60 |
| Bumper Cover | 8 | $34 | 3 hrs | $90 |
Note: These are estimates. Your actual costs depend on your material pricing, labor rates, and vehicle-specific measurements. Add overhead and profit margin on top.
How to Quote Partial Wraps
Quote partial wraps the same way you quote full wraps—just scoped to the selected panels.
- Select the exact panels. Use vehicle-specific data, not category estimates.
- Calculate material for each panel. Sum the total with waste factors applied.
- Estimate labor per panel. Add hours for prep and finishing work.
- Add overhead and profit. Don't reduce overhead allocation just because it's a smaller job.
One common mistake: charging proportionally less for a partial wrap than a full wrap. A partial wrap has nearly the same setup time, design time, and finishing work as a full wrap. Don't penalize yourself for covering less surface area.
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