Is it illegal to change the color film of my car by myself?
4 Answers
Is changing the color film illegal? Applying car wraps is a way to showcase personalization, but it depends on the specific situation. First, when changing the color of your beloved car, you need to pay attention to the following issues: 1. The color of the car wrap should not exceed three colors in total. 2. Any materials that are electroplated or reflective and may affect other drivers cannot be used to change the vehicle registration certificate at the DMV. 3. Generally, there is no impact if the area of partial wrapping does not exceed 30% of the entire vehicle's surface. If the color change area exceeds 30%, you need to update the vehicle registration certificate at the DMV. 4. Vehicles with wraps are not allowed to install any other modifications beyond the original car parts.
When it comes to changing the color of your car with a wrap, I think it's important to first understand the legal boundaries. National regulations state that if you change more than 30% of your car's color, you must register the change at the vehicle management office. As long as you bring your ID card, vehicle license, and green book to complete the procedure within ten days, it's legal. If you secretly change the color without reporting it and get caught by traffic police on the road, you'll be fined 200 yuan and required to remove the wrap on the spot to restore the original appearance. I've seen some car owners use camouflage or police car blue-and-white color schemes, which are directly illegal. I recommend checking local policies before changing the color—some cities also have restrictions on pearlescent or color-shifting films. Additionally, always choose reputable brand films with electronic warranties, and don't cheap out on unverified products, as removing them can leave adhesive residue and damage the paint, causing even more trouble.
Last summer, I applied a matte gray color wrap by myself and would like to share some experience. The key point is don't be lazy - make sure to visit the DMV within 10 days after application, spend 50 yuan for a new license plate photo update to make it legal. DIY does save money, the wrap only cost me over 3000 yuan online, but remember to use degreaser for car body cleaning and keep heat gun temperature below 70°C during application. Don't forget to update your insurance too, just call customer service to register the new color. Last month, my neighbor secretly changed to cherry blossom pink without filing and got fined during annual inspection, totally not worth it. For those who want less hassle, just wrap the roof or hood - small areas don't require filing.
From a construction perspective, the biggest challenge of DIY vinyl wrapping is the technical barrier. I tried using a household heat gun for application, but edges kept bubbling, forcing me to redo the work. Professional shops have dust-free booths and temperature-controlled equipment, whereas garage installations are prone to dust-induced bubbles. Film quality is equally crucial—low-grade PVC wraps turn yellow and crack within two years, requiring repeated adhesive remover applications during removal. I recommend practicing on an old car first, especially on curved areas like bumpers which are most difficult to wrap. Post-color-change paint maintenance becomes more complicated too; traditional waxing is replaced by specialized coating treatments—these additional costs should be factored in carefully.
