A full dip is exactly what it sounds like: every painted body panel gets coated. Roof, hood, doors, bumpers, fenders — the works. The factory paint stays underneath, fully protected, and on top you get a fresh, even finish in whatever color speaks to you.
I do this one car at a time, by hand, in my own shop. No assembly line, no rushing. That's the whole point — Plasti Dip done right looks like paint and lasts for years, but done wrong it looks like a Saturday project gone sideways. Most folks don't nail it the first try — I sure didn't — which is exactly why hiring it out is worth it.
What's included
Every full vehicle dip covers the complete exterior, start to finish:
- Full wash, decontamination, and prep so the coating bonds clean and even.
- Careful masking of glass, lights, trim, door jambs, and anything that shouldn't get color.
- Multiple even, hand-sprayed coats of Plasti Dip across all painted body panels.
- Your choice of finish — gloss or satin matte — and any color from the 172-color browser.
- Clean unmasking and a final once-over so the edges are sharp and the lines are crisp.
- My guarantee — if anything peels, flakes, or lifts from the install, I fix it free.
Want to take it further? You can add dipped wheels, a contrasting roof or hood, or a peelable top coat. More on that below.
Pricing
Full vehicle pricing is based on the size of your ride. These are starting "from" prices for a standard color in satin matte — your final quote depends on the exact vehicle, color family, finish, and prep, so the easiest path is to build a free quote and see your number.
| Vehicle size | Example | Starts at |
|---|---|---|
| Small | ATV, Miata | $1,600 |
| Medium | Mustang, Civic | $1,700 |
| Large | Charger, crossover | $1,900 |
| X-Large | SUV, truck | $2,200 |
Premium colors add an upcharge that scales with vehicle size: Performance Series runs +$200–$400, Pearl TopCoat +$300–$700, and ColorShift +$500–$1,050. Want that deep, wet, glass-like shine? The Ultra High Gloss finish is +$400 (+$500 on X-Large). Curious how all of this stacks up against a respray or a vinyl wrap? I broke it down in my guide on how much it costs to dip a car.
Charleston-based, owner-operated. I'm not quoting you a national franchise rate — I'm quoting your actual car, and I'll tell you straight if a different finish or color would serve you better for the money.
Why dip it
Paint is permanent and expensive. A vinyl wrap is pricey and unforgiving on curves and edges. Plasti Dip sits in a sweet spot most people don't even know exists:
- It's fully reversible. Tired of the color in two years? It peels off clean with no residue, and your factory paint is right there waiting.
- It protects what's underneath. The coating shields your original paint from rock chips, sun, and Charleston's salt air.
- It's way cheaper than paint. You get a real color change for a fraction of a quality respray.
- You're not stuck. Lease it? Sell it? Peel it back to factory and nobody's the wiser.
- The color options are wild. 172 colors across four families, plus gloss or satin — you can go subtle or completely unhinged.
If you're weighing your options, my honest comparison of Plasti Dip vs. vinyl wrap vs. paint lays out the trade-offs without the sales pitch.
How it works
Here's the actual process, step by step, so you know what you're paying for:
- Clean & prep. The car gets washed and decontaminated so nothing's trapped under the coating. This is the boring part nobody sees and the part that makes or breaks the job.
- Masking. Glass, lights, trim, jambs, and emblems get carefully taped and covered. Crisp lines start here.
- Multiple even, hand-sprayed coats. I build up the color in several light, even passes by hand. Patience here is what gives you that smooth, uniform, paint-like look instead of a blotchy mess.
- Optional top coat. Want extra gloss, durability, or pop on a pearl? This is where an Ultra High Gloss or Dip Armor™ top coat goes on.
- Careful unmasking. Everything comes off slow and clean, leaving sharp edges and tidy lines. Then a final inspection top to bottom.
Good to know
A couple of honest things worth saying before you book:
- It lasts years, not forever. With reasonable care, a quality dip holds up for several years. Treat it well and it rewards you.
- Wash it by hand. Skip the automatic brushes and don't blast the edges with a pressure washer — that's the fastest way to lift a coating early.
- It's safe for your paint. When it's time to remove it, it peels off cleanly with no residue, and removal is free with your next dip.
- Renders are AI visualizations. The color previews on the site are AI-generated to help you picture it — they're not photos of finished customer cars.
Ready to see your car in a new color? Use the color browser to find your shade, then build your free quote in a couple of minutes.