Could the consent process affect the timing of my job in Edinburgh?

It can. Not every job needs an application, but where express consent is required the council's decision typically takes several weeks, and fitting typically waits until it is granted. We check this at the start, so the timetable you receive with your quote allows for consent where it applies, along with the proof approval stage.

Can you wrap a leased or financed car?

Usually, but read the agreement first. Agreements normally set out whether cosmetic changes are allowed and what condition the car must be in when it goes back. A colour change will have to come off before return, and the paint underneath needs to be sound for that to go smoothly, so mention the lease when you ask for a price.

Can you wrap a brand-new car straight away?

Usually, yes. Factory paint on a new car is normally the ideal base, because it's fully bonded and free of chips. The car still needs a thorough wash and decontamination before fitting so the film sticks properly. A panel that has been resprayed, even on a nearly new car, usually needs time to cure before it can be wrapped.

Does the price of car wraps and colour change in Edinburgh include VAT?

No. Our guide range of £1,950–£3,750 per car excludes VAT, which is added to the quote. The final figure depends on size, materials, access, removal of existing signage or graphics and the artwork needed, and we confirm it in writing after a survey or once we have checked your files.

Who carries out the work on car wraps and colour change in Edinburgh?

The work on site is done by installers working under our contract, and anything that needs making is produced by specialist fabricators. You deal with Smart Signs throughout: we take the enquiry, survey, prepare the design and quote, check consent and coordinate the fitting, so there is one point of contact from first message to handover.

How long is the car off the road?

A full colour change typically takes 2–4 days of fitting, and longer when door shuts are included or a lot of trim has to come off. Part wraps such as a roof or mirrors typically take a few hours to a day. The car needs to be clean, dry and indoors throughout, so plan for it to be away for the whole job.

Car wraps and colour change in Edinburgh and the Lothians

A car wrap is a thin cast vinyl film applied over the factory paint to change the car's colour or finish, either across every panel or on selected parts such as the roof or mirrors.

Why choose car wraps and colour change in Edinburgh and the Lothians?

A matching black roof and chrome delete is a modest way for an Edinburgh business to make its pool cars look like a set.
Company cars parked outside clients' offices in Edinburgh can carry a small, tasteful logo on the doors rather than a full van-style livery.
Driving between appointments across Edinburgh and the Lothians and into Edinburgh, a branded car keeps your name in view at junctions, on school runs and in residential streets.

Guide prices in Edinburgh and the Lothians

The table shows guide prices for car wraps and colour change, starting from £1,950 and reaching about £3,750 per car. All figures exclude VAT. Your own price is confirmed after we have seen the site or the artwork, so treat these as a starting point.

Car wraps & colour change in Edinburgh and the Lothians: guide prices, supplied and fitted
Item	Guide, ex VAT	Inc. VAT (20%)
Full colour change, small or medium car	£1,950 – £2,850	£2,340 – £3,420
Full colour change, large car or SUV	£2,650 – £3,750	£3,180 – £4,500
Roof, mirrors or bonnet only	£195 – £650	£234 – £780

Guide prices for a full colour change run from £1,950 to £2,850 + VAT for a small or medium car, and from £2,650 to £3,750 + VAT for a large car or SUV. Roof, mirrors or bonnet only is typically between £195 and £650 + VAT.

Rules for vehicle graphics in Edinburgh and the Lothians

For vehicle graphics in Scotland, think DVLA and insurance rather than planning. A vehicle that is normally driven is outside advertisement control, though one parked up mainly as an advertisement is not. If the main colour changes, update the colour on your V5C and tell your insurer. We keep all graphics clear of the windscreen and front side windows, which need at least 75% and 70% light transmission under the 1986 Construction and Use Regulations. Before wrapping, we check the paintwork: chips, rust, poor resprays or failing lacquer can lift when the wrap is removed later.

Options worth considering

Satin

A soft sheen that hides fine swirl marks.

Matt

Flat and striking; washed clean rather than polished.

Gloss

A paint-like shine and the easiest finish to keep clean.

Towns in Edinburgh and the Lothians

Towns in Edinburgh and the Lothians we cover for car wraps and colour change are listed below. Each has its own page with guide prices and the steps involved, and if your town is not listed, we still cover it.

Anywhere in Edinburgh and the Lothians, the first step is the same: send photos and rough sizes for a free quote on car wraps and colour change. You approve a proof to scale before anything is made.