When we think of vinyl wraps, we usually picture flat-billed baseball caps worn by tattooed dude-bros driving lifted pickups with the latest energy drink plastered on the sides. Or budget Bubbles. Or Fast and Furious poseurs. But we've always seen the potential for enthusiasts looking for an alternative to costly paint jobs or to cover a neglected exterior in an all-new hue. The only problem: Cost. The average full vinyl wrap can set you back between $3,000 and $10,000 depending on the size and application – and if you're looking for a custom theme, the cost of a graphic artist can push that price even higher. Recognizing this financial hurtle, Meguiars is partnering with 3M to offer a customizable, budget solution for the cash-strapped among us, and we're almost ready to pull the trigger.

Announced this week at SEMA, Wraptivo will allow owners to create a vinyl wrap online – with custom graphics and textures – have it shipped to a licensed retailer and installed in four-to-six hours. Wraptivo expects to offer wraps for around 25 vehicles initially, with plans to grow its model base over the next several months after it launches later this year. Wraptivo hasn't released pricing yet, but we're told to expect something in the $1,000 to $1,700 realm with up to a three-year warranty.

To show off its new system at SEMA, Wraptivo had a Scion xB on hand in a two-tone, pixelated black and white/brushed metal design along with a last-gen Ford Mustang that was wrapped, stripped and rewrapped each day based on designs attendees created on computers at the stand. The results spanned the spectrum from impressive to lame (check the gallery), but we're excited by the possibilities and may even put it to the test on one of our own vehicles in the very near future. We might even have you vote on the color scheme. We're thinking matte green, but Lieberman wants pink camo. That guy has no taste. Hit the jump for the official details.



Photos copyright ©2009 Damon Lavrinc / Drew Phillips / Weblogs, Inc.