Changing Car Color: Should I Paint or Apply Decals?

Should I paint or decal my car?
Latest update date: February 06, 01

Change car color is the process of changing the exterior color of a vehicle from the original paint color from the manufacturer.

According to recent statistics from the Vietnam Register, up to 35% of car owners want to change the color of their car within 3 years of use.

This shows that changing the color of the car is becoming a popular trend for car owners to refresh the appearance, express their own personality, change the feng shui or upgrade the aesthetic value of their car. However, it is necessary to comply with the provisions of the law.

There are two main methods to change the color of a car: repainting or decaling:

  • Repainting a car is the process of removing the old paint, applying a primer coat and then painting a new color over the entire body of the car. This method provides high durability, completely overcomes disadvantages and ensures aesthetics and superior gloss. However, painting a car requires high costs, long implementation time and can affect the value of the car.
  • Color-changing decals effectively protect the original paint layer, quickly change the appearance with rich colors and patterns, and are still easy to remove. This method has some limitations in terms of initial cost, limited durability, need to meet special care requirements, and high risk of damage when colliding.

Choosing between painting or decals when changing the color of a car depends on the specific needs and conditions of each car owner. Painting is suitable for long-term color changes, while decals are a quicker, more cost-effective solution.

If you want car paint color change but don't know new paint or decal? Refer to the article to make the most appropriate decisions.

Should I paint or decal my car?
Changing the color of your car: should you paint or apply decals?

What to Note When Changing Car Color?

You should consider changing the color of your car when the paint is damaged, you want to change the appearance of the car, dispel bad luck according to feng shui, or to improve the resale value. When changing the color of the car, the car owner must complete the procedure of declaring to the vehicle registration agency according to the law.

1. When should you change the color of your car?

Changing the color of a car can happen when the paint is damaged, the owner wants to change the appearance or neutralize feng shui, or can also repaint to improve value and resell.

  • Damaged car paint: If the car paint is badly scratched, discolored, peeled or corroded by chemicals or weather, you should consider repainting the car to protect the body and increase aesthetics.
  • Want to change the look of your car: You can change the color of your car to suit your personal taste or to express your own style.
  • Want to change and neutralize bad feng shui: Some people believe that the color of the car affects the owner's destiny. If the car has a color that is unlucky for your age, you can consider changing the color of the car to neutralize it.
  • Improve car resale value: A car with a fresh, attractive coat of paint can attract potential buyers and help you sell your car for a higher price.

2. How to change car according to legal regulations?

According to Clause 2, Article 6 of Circular 58/2020/TT-BCA, the owner of a car is responsible for bringing the vehicle to the vehicle registration agency for inspection by the authorities when the vehicle changes paint color.

Pursuant to Clause 05, Article 26 and Clause 3, Article 11 of Circular 58/2020/TT-BCA, the sequence of steps to change the car paint color in accordance with legal regulations is as follows:

  • Step 1: Access the traffic police's electronic information portal website, find the paint color declaration section or go directly to the competent state agency to register the vehicle. Here, you will fill in all the necessary information and declare the change of the vehicle's paint color.
  • Step 2: Proceed to change the vehicle's paint color according to the declared information. Make sure that this change is performed by specialized units or individuals to ensure quality and compliance with technical safety regulations.
  • Step 3: Prepare complete documents, including necessary documents such as:
  • Vehicle owner's ID card or passport.
  • Car registration (also known as vehicle registration) is legal evidence confirming your vehicle ownership and registration.
  • Step 4: Submit the prepared documents to the state agency where you previously registered your vehicle. Make sure that all documents in the application are valid and complete for a smooth review and approval process.
  • Step 5: After submitting the application, you will receive an appointment letter from the registration office. On the appointment date, you return to the office to receive the results, including a new registration certificate with the vehicle's paint color changed according to regulations.

What is Car Color Changing Paint?

Car color change painting is the process of changing the paint color from the original color, including the steps of removing the old paint layer, treating the surface and applying a new layer of paint to the entire or part of the car body.

The advantages of repainting a car are that it provides high durability, completely fixes defects and increases aesthetics. However, the disadvantages are that it is expensive, time-consuming and can affect resale value. When repainting a car, it is important to choose the color carefully, protect the new paint properly and keep relevant documents.

car paint
Car color changing paint

1. Advantages

The advantage of car color change paint is that it provides high durability, the ability to completely overcome defects and brings aesthetics and high gloss. Specifically:

  • High durability and good original paint protection

A new, high-quality paint layer will optimally protect the original paint layer and the car's body from environmental impacts such as sun, rain, and mold. Thanks to that, the car's lifespan is significantly extended, up to 5-7 years. Meanwhile, decals usually only last about 2-3 years.

  • Ability to completely overcome defects

Repainting a car helps to completely remove scratches and defects on the old paint surface, restoring the car's appearance to a new state. Decals can only cover up defects but cannot erase them.

  • High gloss and aesthetics

New paint with modern technology will bring beautiful gloss and smoothness to the car, looking more luxurious and classy than decal.

2. Defect

Car color change painting is expensive, takes a long time to prepare and can affect the resale value of the car. Therefore, car owners need to prepare a certain amount of money and prepare an alternative means of transportation when deciding to paint the car.

Specific disadvantages of car painting:

  • High cost

Repainting an entire car requires a huge cost, ranging from 20-50 million VND depending on the size of the car and the quality of the paint. Meanwhile, applying decals only costs a few million VND.

  • Long execution time

The process of painting a car is complicated, involves many stages and usually takes 5-10 days. Decal application only takes about 2-3 days to complete.

  • Impact on vehicle resale value

Repainted cars, especially with very bright colors, often have a resale price 5-10% lower than cars with original paint. Meanwhile, cars with decals still retain the original paint color, so the value is less affected.

3. What should you pay attention to when changing the color of your car?

To make the car color change beautiful and durable, you need to choose the paint color carefully, protect the new paint layer (avoid negative impacts and use suitable cleaning agents) and keep related documents.

  • Choose paint color carefully: Consider the color from many angles, lighting, choose a color that matches feng shui (if you believe in it) and consult an expert.
  • Protect new paint: Avoid parking under trees (if not covered), wash car with clean water, moderate pressure and use specialized detergent. Avoid strong detergents.
  • Keep documents: Keep the paint change certificate and the garage warranty card.

What is Car Color Changing Decal?

Car color change decal is a process of using vinyl decal sheets to cover the surface of the car, creating a new look without having to change the original paint. This not only saves time and money but also protects the original paint from environmental activities.

This method offers many benefits such as protection of the original paint layer, quick change of appearance and variety of colors. The disadvantages are high cost, low durability and special maintenance requirements.

car decal
Car color changing decal

1. Advantages

Car color changing decals help protect the original paint layer, change the appearance of the car quickly, cost-effectively with a variety of colors and patterns. At the same time, removing and changing to another color is also extremely easy.

Specific advantages of changing paint color by decal method:

  • Effective protection of original paint layer

Car color changing decals protect the original paint from environmental factors. Factors such as UV rays, acid rain, and dirt can damage the original paint of the car. Vinyl decals act as a protective layer, helping to maintain the original shine and color of the car paint.

According to a study from the American Automotive Paint Research Institute (APRCI), vinyl decals provide up to 99% UV protection and reduce paint wear by up to 40% compared to unprotected vehicles.

  • Quick and economical makeover

Applying car color change decals helps to change the appearance of the car quickly and easily. The decal application process usually only takes a few hours to a day to complete, compared to repainting the car which can take up to a week.

  • Variety of colors and patterns

Color changing decals offer a wide range of color and pattern options. You can choose from hundreds of colors and unique patterns such as metallic, satin, or other custom finishes that traditional paint cannot achieve.

  • Easy to remove and change

Vinyl decals can be easily removed without damaging the original paint. This allows you to change the color of your vehicle whenever you want or restore the original paint color when necessary.

According to a survey from International Automotive Magazine (IAM), removing decals only takes about 1 to 2 hours and does not affect the original paint of the car.

2. Defect

Although there are many advantages to using car decals to change the color of the car, there are some disadvantages such as high initial cost (although much lower than the car painting method), limited durability, special maintenance requirements and easy damage in the event of a collision. Specifically:

  • High initial cost

Vehicle wraps have a higher initial cost than repainting. While they may save you money in the long run, the initial cost of a high-quality decal can run into the thousands of dollars.

According to a report from the Automotive Service Association (ASA), the cost of decals for the entire vehicle ranges from $2.000 to $5.000, depending on the size of the vehicle and the quality of the decal.

  • Limited durability

Color-changing decals are not as durable as car paint. A high-quality decal can last 3 to 5 years, while car paint can last 10 to 15 years if properly maintained.

According to a study from the Automotive Quality Testing Institute (AQTI), 25% of cars with decals begin to show signs of fading and peeling after 3 years of use.

  • Special maintenance requirements

Decals require special maintenance to maintain their durability and appearance. You should hand wash your vehicle and use specialized decal care products to avoid damaging the decal.

According to recommendations from the Professional Car Care Association (IPCA), cars with decals should be washed at least twice a month and avoid using automatic car washes.

  • High risk of damage in collision

Vinyl decals are susceptible to scratches or tears from impact, especially in areas that are prone to impact such as the front bumper, rear bumper, and side mirrors. This not only affects the aesthetics of the vehicle but also requires repair and maintenance costs.

3. What should you pay attention to when applying car color changing decals?

To legally and durably apply a color-changing decal, you need to choose a decal color that matches the registered paint color, do not apply it to the entire vehicle, choose a quality decal, and apply it carefully. Specifically:

  • Color: Choose a decal color that matches the registered paint color (for example, green instead of blue if the registration is blue).
  • Sticker type: Not covering the entire vehicle, only small stickers, logos, and border stickers.
  • Material: Choose quality decals, low reflectivity, high durability, avoid poor quality types that damage the paint.
  • Construction: Wipe gently to avoid air entrapment, clean thoroughly after pasting.
  • Other notes: Please note that colors and patterns printed on decals may not be accurate due to printing technology.

Should You Paint Or Decal Your Car When You Want To Change Its Color?

Choosing between painting or decals when changing the color of a car depends on the specific needs and conditions of each car owner. Painting is suitable for long-term changes, while decals are a quicker, more cost-effective solution.

Should I paint or apply decal to change the color of my car?
Should I paint or apply decal to change the color of my car?

1. In what cases should you change the color of your car?

Car paint should be applied when the old paint color has seriously degraded, the car owner intends to change the color permanently and does not want to change to a color that is too different.

Cases where you should change the color of your car:

  • When the old paint has been seriously degraded, many scratches and rust appear on the surface. Repainting will help restore the beauty of the car.
  • Car owners want a permanent color change, not intending to change colors frequently. The new paint will last over time.
  • The new paint color should not be too different from the original registered color of the vehicle. This will avoid having to change the vehicle registration.

2. When should you apply car color decals?

Decal stickers are a popular trend when car owners want to change the appearance quickly, in many styles or just want to decorate a small logo without affecting the original paint.

Cases where you should apply car color changing decal:

  • Car owners want to quickly refresh the look of their car without repainting. Decals can be applied over old paint.
  • Want to change the color of your car to your own style and personality. Decals have more than 200 colors and diverse materials to choose from such as matte, glossy, matte, color-changing decals, etc.
  • Want to add small decorative stickers such as logo stickers, etc. while still keeping the main paint color.
  • Car owners want to protect the original paint of their new car. Applying clear or colored decals will help keep the car looking new.

Regardless of the method chosen, car owners need to carefully study the relevant legal regulations and prepare all necessary procedures to avoid future problems.

See more comparison table:

Criteria Sơn Decal Sticker
Reliability Very high, can last for many years if the paint is of good quality and technique. Difficult to peel off due to external impact Medium to high (4-10 years depending on material), more susceptible to scratches and peeling than paint if subjected to strong impacts
Aesthetics High gloss and smoothness, seamless color, hard to tell if it is repainted (if the painter is good). Difficult to create special effects such as matte, color change depending on viewing angle (only some special paints) Diverse in color and pattern, easy to create special effects (matte, carbon, color change...). Can print complex images and logos. However, if not pasted carefully, the seams will be visible.
Ability to protect original paint Good protection against environmental impact if painted with quality paint. However, the painting process can affect the original paint (if not handled properly) Protects original paint from light scratches, dirt. Easy to remove without affecting original paint (if decal is of good quality)
Ability to overcome defects Completely fix scratches, dents, and rust on the surface Only covers flaws, cannot completely fix them
Construction time Long (5-10 days or more), due to many complicated steps Faster (1-3 days), depending on complexity
Billing High (20-50 million VND or more), depending on car size, paint type and complexity Lower (several million to several tens of millions), depending on decal type and sticker area
Resale value May affect resale value if paint color is too different from registration or paint quality is poor Little impact on resale value because it can be easily removed
Legal Need to register paint color change with the authorities It is necessary to comply with the color regulations (not too different from the registration) to avoid being fined.
Cleaning and maintenance Care must be taken to maintain shine, avoid strong detergents. Easier to clean, just wipe with a soft cloth and clean water
Complexity of change Difficult and expensive to change paint color Easily change colors and patterns by removing old decals and applying new decals

Questions About Car Color Changes

1. How much does each method of painting and decaling cost?

Repainting the entire car ranges from 15-50 million VND depending on the size of the car and the quality of the paint. For luxury cars, it can be up to 70-100 million VND. Detailed price list is available at Price list for painting car parts current latest.

Car color change decals range from 5-40 million VND depending on car size, decal material and design requirements. Usually 2-5 times cheaper than painting.

2. How to preserve car color changing decals for long lasting durability?

To preserve car decals for a long time, you should:

  • Avoid leaving your car in direct sunlight or heavy rain for long periods of time.
  • Limit the use of strong, corrosive cleaning chemicals.
  • When washing the car, use a moderate pressure sprayer, avoid spraying water too close to the decal surface.
  • Periodically polish, wax or nano coat to protect decal surface.
  • If there is any damage, take the car to a reputable garage for timely repair.

3. Is it illegal to change the color of a car without permission?

Yes. According to current regulations, if a vehicle owner arbitrarily changes the paint color to a color different from the one stated in the vehicle registration without re-registration procedures, he or she may be fined from 300.000 to 400.000 VND for individuals and 600.000 to 800.000 VND for organizations. Therefore, after repainting the vehicle, the vehicle owner needs to go to the vehicle registration office to re-issue the vehicle registration certificate with the new paint color.

4. Can I change the color of my car before it is registered?

Cars with changed paint color can still be registered normally if:

  • New paint color does not affect the structure and safety features of the vehicle.
  • The car owner has completed the registration procedure to change ownership and reissued the vehicle registration certificate recording the new paint color.
  • The items and equipment on the vehicle still ensure compliance with safety technical standards and regulations.

To facilitate car registration, see more Cars with errors are still allowed to pass inspection You should not ignore.

5. Does painting a car decrease its resale value more than decaling?

Yes, repainting a car (especially a color that is very different from the original) often makes the car harder to sell and loses more value than a car with just decals, because the decals still retain the original paint layer inside.

6. Which unit changes car color professionally, reputable, good price in HCM?

Thanh Phong Auto is a unit specializing in providing car painting service Professional, reputable and reasonable price in Ho Chi Minh City area. With the motto of operation "Sincerity – Responsibility – Sharing“, Thanh Phong Auto is committed to providing customers with reputable, quality and effective services.

At Thanh Phong Auto, customers will experience professional car color changing service:

  • Aesthetic color consulting, supporting customers in choosing colors that suit feng shui, personality and popular trends.
  • Modern painting process, using high quality, environmentally friendly paint, ensuring the new paint layer is durable, beautiful and anti-corrosion.
  • Color changing decals with more than 200 colors and diverse materials such as matte, glossy, rough, color changing, customers will have many rich choices.
  • After the service, we will guide you on how to care for and preserve the new paint/decal to keep your car looking as good as the first time.

With a team of professional staff, modern equipment and a closed process, Thanh Phong Auto is confident in providing quality services at the most competitive prices on the market. If you need to change the color of your car, contact Thanh Phong immediately for support and a quote.

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