Hyundai Elantra AD Vinyl Wrap Review — Black Accents & Cost

Blackout Accents for the Hyundai Elantra AD

The Hyundai Elantra AD, a popular compact sedan known for its youthful style and practicality, received a design refresh with the 'The New Elantra AD' model, enhancing its already sharp and sophisticated look. This review focuses on a specific customization project: applying vinyl wrap and paint to accent key exterior features, transforming the car's aesthetic from its stock silver and chrome to a more aggressive, unified black theme. This detailed approach can significantly elevate the car's presence, creating a sportier and more premium feel without altering the original paint.

Emblem and Lettering Transformation

The emblems and lettering on a vehicle are crucial for personal expression. For this Hyundai Elantra AD, the owner opted for a paint method to change the factory silver emblems and rear lettering to a matte black finish. This process began with carefully removing the existing badges to prevent any damage to the car's paintwork. Using a heat gun to soften the adhesive and specialized tools, the emblems were detached cleanly. Following removal, the surfaces were meticulously prepared, and a primer was applied to ensure optimal adhesion for the new paint.

The chosen matte black paint was then applied evenly to the emblems and lettering, providing a sophisticated and understated look that complements the car's design. After a thorough drying period, the components were precisely reinstalled using guide markers to ensure perfect alignment. This subtle yet impactful change, shifting from silver to matte black, gives the Elantra AD a more assertive and customized front and rear profile.

Grille, Side Mirror, and Fuel Flap Accents

Small details can make a big difference in a car's overall appearance. The grille, side mirrors, and fuel flap on this Elantra AD, originally silver, were updated using gloss black vinyl wrap. This created a striking contrast with the car's body color and unified the black theme established with the emblems and lettering.

The application of vinyl wrap involves several key steps to ensure a smooth, durable finish. The process requires precision, especially on curved surfaces like side mirrors. The goal is to achieve a seamless look that mimics a painted finish, protecting the original parts while enhancing their appearance. This type of customization is a popular paint alternative for owners looking to achieve a specific aesthetic without the permanence or cost of a full repaint.

Installation Process:

1. Surface Preparation: Thoroughly clean and degrease the areas to be wrapped or painted.
2. Component Removal (if applicable): Carefully detach emblems, grilles, or mirror caps as needed for optimal application.
3. Material Application: Apply vinyl wrap using heat and specialized tools for a smooth, bubble-free finish, or apply paint in even coats.
4. Finishing and Reinstallation: Trim excess material, seal edges, and reattach any removed components.

The entire process for these accent modifications on the Hyundai Elantra AD took approximately 4 to 6 hours. The cost for this specific combination of emblem/lettering painting and grille, mirror, and fuel flap wrapping in Korea was estimated between 300,000 and 700,000 KRW, which is roughly equivalent to $220-$510 USD, depending on the specific shop and materials used. While this review details work done in Korea, similar services in the US typically range from $40-$80 for smaller accent wraps, with full car wraps costing significantly more.