Wow, I can certainly see why you’re at a crossroad. I also never knew that the wrap was that expensive. I know paint prices have gone up ALOT in the past decade or so due to ever increasing EPA regs, surcharges on materials, etc. Have you considered just doing it yourself? I’ve painted many cars over the years, and it’s honestly not that hard as long as you create a reasonably clean space to do the painting, and have the best respirator you can buy for your own safety. Because the last full paint job I did contained isocyanates, I invested in a air supplied, full face respirator. With all of the materials, a new high end hvlp gun, respirator, etc. I was probably in for around $2,500, but it also had expensive tri-stage paint for graphics, and the best clear I could buy at the time. Sounds expensive, but the best price I could find for that paint job was $12k, so not only did a save a lot, but I had the satisfaction of telling everyone that not only did I build the entire car, but I also did the body, and paint.
If you’re not looking for show quality, but just want something that will look good and save some money, just do it in a single stage acrylic enamel with hardner. It won’t have the depth of a clear coat paint job, but is way easier, with less steps, as well as less costly. I’ve never looked, but I’ll bet there are YouTube videos that can help with proper techniques if you’ve never sprayed anything before.
All I know, is there is no way I’d spend the kind of coin you were quoted for either wrap, or a professional spray on a vehicle with that much mileage, especially with wrap having such a limited life expectancy.
