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‘Can I change the colour of my car?’ You’re in the right place if you find yourself asking this question. We’ve all been there, either when looking to personalise a new vehicle or when the original paintwork is starting to get boring. But changing the colour of your car is not as simple as spraying paint all over it. A fair bit of thought and planning goes into it. This blog post is for you if you’re curious about where to start.
Yes, you can change the colour of your car as long as you’re the legal owner and registered keeper. Being the legal owner means that you have made the final payment for the car, and it has not been leased. If you have a vehicle on a personal contract purchase or hire purchase, you must check with the finance company before proceeding to change the car’s colour.
Legal Requirements To Change A Car’s Colour
Away from the financial side, you also need to report your car’s colour change to multiple bodies.
Inform The DVLA
For one, you must notify the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) immediately after the colour change. This is because the colour of your car must match the colour on the V5C. You can do this by obtaining a V5C registration certificate amendment form from the DVLA’s website and filling it out. The DVLA will review it and issue you with a new V5C for your car that shows the new colour.
Check our detailed guide to find out where the chassis or VIN is on your car, as you may need it to update your V5C.
Inform Your Insurance Company
Next, move on to your insurance company. The colour of your car must also match what’s in your insurance documentation. Also, most insurance companies will record a colour change as a modification, just like a chassis change. Therefore, if you fail to inform them, you may encounter problems when you make a claim. One great thing, though, is that your insurer may be able to provide additional coverage for the car wrap itself.
If you’re a campervan owner, you’ll love our blog post on the insurance required to rent out a camper.
How Do You Change The Colour Of Your Car?
You can change the colour of your car through a full respray, vinyl wrapping or Plasti Dip. Here’s what each method entails:
Respraying
A full respray is perfect if you want a colour change that gives your car the best possible finish. You’ll have to visit a paint shop where experts will first strip the existing paint off your vehicle before they spray it with a new colour.
You should know, however, that this is very expensive, costing between £2,500 and over £5,000. It is also a permanent change, so you can’t get the previous colour back.
Vinyl Wrapping
Vinyl wrapping is more like a semi-permanent option when compared to respraying. It involves covering the car body with vinyl sheets, which are available in various colours and textures.
Vinyl wraps are the ideal option if you’re looking for a more temporary change or just want to protect the original paintwork. They’re also more cost-effective and will only set you back between £1,000 and £3,000.
Plasti Dip
Plasti Dip is a rubberised coating that you can spray onto your car’s exterior to change the colour. It’s more of a DIY option, and the good thing is it’s affordable and reversible. You can simply peel it off without damaging the paint underneath if you don’t like the new look.
It’s much cheaper than respraying or wrapping, typically costing between £200 and £600 if you do it yourself. However, Plasti Dip isn’t as durable as a wrap or a respray, and it may need reapplication after a couple of years, especially if exposed to harsh weather conditions.
Things To Consider Before A Car Colour Change
You don’t just wake up one day and change your car’s colour. There are a number of things you need to consider before making this change.
- Cost: Giving your car a new colour isn’t cheap, especially if you’re looking for high quality. A respray is easily the most expensive option, but a vinyl wrap is also somewhat costly. Going for a Plasti Dip is your best option if you’re on a tight budget. Weighing the upfront cost against how long you plan to keep the car can make it easier to decide.
- Impact on resale value: Not every colour appeals to buyers. While bold colours might match your personal style or certain car trims, they could make it harder to sell the car later. Neutral colours like black, white, grey and silver usually have the widest appeal and best resale value.
- Legal documentation updates: As earlier stated, you need to update your documentation (V5C log book) with the DVLA after you change the colour of your car. This is a legal requirement, and failing to do so can cause problems. The same thing applies to your insurance company.
- Choosing the right colour: You need to look beyond aesthetics when choosing the colour of your car. Consider factors like how they hold up under sunlight and how they affect the vehicle’s visibility on the road. Keep in mind that very dark colours might make small dents or scratches more obvious over time.
- Downtime for each method: A full respray can take a week or more, depending on the paint shop and quality you expect. Vinyl wraps are quicker, often completed in a few days, while a DIY Plasti Dip job could be done in a weekend.
Hire one of SDVH’s executive cars and get that premium aesthetic without changing your car colour. We also offer a range of other cars for hire.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is A Full Respray Better Than Wrapping?
Yes, a full respray is better than wrapping because of its durability. It lasts for years and is more of a permanent colour change. Vinyl wrapping, on the other hand, is perfect for anyone who wants flexibility. The wraps are cheaper and easier to install. They are also available in colours like matte, chrome and even gloss, which you can’t get from paint.
Can I Paint My Car Myself?
Yes, you can paint your car yourself, but it is not as easy as you might think. Professional car painting needs to be done in a dust-free environment and it takes plenty of skill to do it without making a mistake. It’s easy to end up with drips and a rough texture if you decide to take on the responsibility by yourself.
Will Changing My Car Colour Affect My Insurance?
Yes, changing your car colour will affect your insurance. Insurance companies see a change in the car’s colour as a modification, even though it doesn’t impact the vehicle’s performance. Since there’s a chance this modification can affect the vehicle’s resale value, your insurance company will want to know about it. For example, the colour change might have raised or lowered the value of the car.
How Long Do Wraps And Resprays Last?
Wraps last between three and seven years, and resprays over 10 years. It depends on the quality of the material, the skill of the installer and how well you care for it. Each option requires a different form of maintenance, and it’s best to follow the instructions of the expert after you change the colour to get the best result.
Can I Legally Change The Colour Of Only My Car Roof?
Yes, you can legally change the colour of your car roof. That is also perfectly legal as long as you’ve made the final payment. However, the rules are still the same, as you have to inform the DVLA and your insurer. Most people change the colour of the car roof to create a two-tone effect. It also makes the vehicle appear sportier and refreshes its appearance.
Conclusion
Now you can stop asking, “Can I change the colour of my car?” The simple answer is yes. Well, unless it’s a rented vehicle or one you got on a personal contract from a finance company. Just make sure to inform the right bodies, like the DVLA and your insurer. So pick your preferred colour and spark some life into your car again.
