EMWRAPS changed the color of two older cars with full-body UNITY USA color PPF at our Seattle shop in SODO: a 4-door Nissan R34, originally black, now in Millennium Jade Green, and a 25+ year-old NB Mazda Miata, originally red, now in Black Rose. Neither car was repainted. The new color is a self-healing film that also protects the paint under it.
- Vehicles: Nissan R34 4-door sedan; NB Mazda Miata (25+ years old)
- Service: Full-body color PPF
- Film: UNITY USA color PPF
- Colors: Millennium Jade Green (R34, from black); Black Rose (Miata, from red)
- Extra work on the Miata: dent removal and repair of a deep key mark from the driver's door to the quarter panel
- Miata time in shop: two weeks in total
- Shop: EMWRAPS, Seattle (SODO)
Why use color PPF on an older car?
Color PPF changes a classic car's color without a respray, so the original paint stays on the car, covered and protected. For an older car, keeping the original paint can matter as much as the new look.
Color PPF is paint protection film with the color built in: self-healing urethane, about 8 mil thick, that stops rock chips, scratches, bug acid and UV. Light scratches in the top coat heal with heat. A respray is permanent. Color PPF is removable without harming factory paint when it is taken off properly, so the car can go back to its original color later. We compare the two routes in color change wrap vs paint job, and our color change PPF page explains the service.
How did the R34 get Millennium Jade Green?
The 4-door R34 came to us in black and left in UNITY USA Millennium Jade Green, a full-body color PPF change. The color suits the car's '90s era and character.
The R34 has sharp lines and a lot of complex detail, which made it a hard car to cover, especially in color PPF. In a solid color, every edge and seam is visible, so each panel has to be laid and trimmed with care. The original black paint stays underneath the film.
What did the NB Miata need before the film?
The Miata needed body work before any film went on: dent removal across the car and a repair of a deep key mark running from the driver's door to the quarter panel. With that done, it got a full-body color change from red to UNITY USA Black Rose.
That prep is the part people often don't expect. PPF is a film that follows the surface under it, so dents and deep scratches show through. On a car over 25 years old, the paint and panels usually need attention first. The whole Miata project took two weeks.
After the film was done, the detailer @wreckinbeccaboo applied a ceramic coating to the Miata for durability and easier maintenance. That coating was their work, not ours. The result is a richer, more vibrant finish than the car had before.
How much does color PPF cost for a classic car?
Color PPF at EMWRAPS runs from $6,800 to $10,000+. The final price depends on the vehicle: its size, how complex the body shape is, and the paint condition. Older cars often need dent removal or other repair before the film goes on, and that is quoted on top, after we see the car.
Ceramic coating on top of PPF is the setup we recommend. When EMWRAPS applies it, ceramic over film runs $500 to $800: the lower end as the last step of a new full color PPF install, the higher end for film already on the car. See our ceramic coating page for details.
Frequently asked questions
Is color PPF safe on old paint?
Color PPF protects old paint from rock chips, scratches, bug acid and UV, and is removable without harming factory paint when it is taken off properly. Paint that is weak, flaking or already repaired is a different case, because any film can pull at a poor surface when it comes off. EMWRAPS checks the paint on an older car before quoting color PPF.
Does color PPF hide dents and scratches?
No. Color PPF follows the surface under it, so dents, deep scratches and key marks show through the film. That is why the NB Miata in this post got dent removal and a key mark repair before its Black Rose color PPF went on. Body damage should be fixed before any film is installed.
How long does a color PPF change on a classic car take?
Full body PPF typically takes 4 to 5 days at EMWRAPS. A classic car often takes longer because of prep: the NB Miata in this post, which needed dent removal and a key mark repair, took two weeks in total. Your quote includes a schedule once we have seen the car's condition.
Can a classic car go back to its original color after color PPF?
Yes. Color PPF is removable without harming factory paint when it is taken off properly, so a classic car can return to its original color later. The paint under the film also stays protected while the color PPF is on. For a similar build, see our Nissan Pao color PPF restoration.
Get a quote for your classic
Have an older car that needs a new color without losing its paint? Send photos and details through the quote form and we reply within 24 hours, or call (206) 383-5328. Our shop is at 1900 Airport Way S #103 in SODO, Seattle.
See the R34 on our Instagram and the Miata here.
