A brief search on the costs of wraps led me to think that painting might be more cost-effective. Does anyone have real experience with wraps? Is $1500 a realistic expectation?
Yes, if not more. Some of the price is the material a big part is labor; they're not that easy to put on (correctly).
You do have to do some prep to the vehicle; clean and de-wax it, remove some items that get in the way (emblems, mirrors, sometimes door handles, and anything else that is attached to the body) once that's done, wipe it down again, then start laying out the big pieces. Remember the sheets are flat, and the car has curves; so you have to heat and pull and stretch and pull it up, heat, pull and stretch again, squeegee it out, once the main part is done, you have to tuck and trim and hide edges; and you have to do this over the whole car. When that's done, you have to put all the stuff you took off back on; wrap the little stuff (that always takes time) when done, seal any exposed edges, fix little bumps, and so on.
I've been quote $2,200.00 to $2,700.00 to do a small car; but that was wit them doing one hell of a mark up.
It's almost more work than a new complete paint job (If you go to Macco that is)