Color Matching Your Nissan Altima Body Kit: Paint vs. Wrap vs. Raw Look

The Nissan Altima isn’t typically the first car people think of when they hear “custom build.” But that’s exactly why it's gaining ground in the tuner community — it's a sleeper canvas with plenty of potential. Whether you’re rocking a Gen 5 Altima (2013–2018) or a brand-new model, a body kit adds aggressive styling and unique flair.

However, even the cleanest lines and sharpest contours of a custom body kit will fall flat if the color doesn’t flow seamlessly with the rest of the car. Poor color matching can make the kit look like an afterthought — while the right finish turns heads and earns respect.

Option 1: Painting Your Body Kit

🎨 Pros of Painting

• Factory Match Potential: Paint can give you a seamless OEM+ finish when done right.

• Durability: A professional paint job using high-quality automotive paint can last years and endure tough conditions.

• Versatility in Color Matching: You can match your factory color, go custom, or even opt for two-tone combos for dramatic contrast.

🚫 Cons of Painting

• Cost: High-quality paint jobs aren’t cheap. Expect to pay $800 to $2,000 or more depending on quality and how much of the car is resprayed.

• Downtime: You’ll likely be without your car for several days while it’s being painted.

• Permanent: Changing your mind later is costly. Paint isn’t easy to undo.

🧰 Best For:

Drivers who want a clean, OEM-level finish or custom look that blends seamlessly into the body lines of the Altima.

Option 2: Wrapping the Body Kit

🎁 Pros of Wrapping

• Wide Range of Colors and Finishes: Matte, gloss, satin, chrome, carbon fiber — you name it, it’s available in wrap form.

• Removability: Want to change your style in a year? Wraps are non-permanent.

• Lower Cost Than Paint: A full wrap can cost between $1,500 and $3,500 — less if you’re wrapping just the body kit.

❌ Cons of Wrapping

• Less Durable: Vinyl wraps are prone to scratching and peeling over time, especially if not applied professionally.

• Finish Variations: Wraps won’t always perfectly match the original paint, especially under bright lighting.

• Can Bubble or Peel: Poor prep or installation leads to failure — and fast.

💡 Best For:

Drivers who love frequent style changes, dramatic finishes, or are wrapping the entire car to create a uniform custom look.

Option 3: Raw Finish Look (Unpainted/Exposed)

⚙️ Pros of Raw Look

• Aggressive Vibe: Leaving your carbon fiber, fiberglass, or primered body kit raw gives a hardcore, race-ready feel.

• Showcase Materials: If you’ve spent money on a carbon fiber kit, why not show it off?

• Budget-Friendly: Skipping paint or wrap saves hundreds, if not thousands.

📉 Cons of Raw Look

• Inconsistency: Unless your entire car is raw, the finish can clash heavily with factory paint.

• UV Damage Risk: Some raw materials, especially fiberglass or primed plastic, can degrade in the sun without a protective coating.

• Harder to Maintain: Raw finishes require care to keep from fading, chalking, or cracking.

🔧 Best For:

Builders going for that “track weapon” aesthetic, or who want to highlight carbon fiber textures and stay budget-conscious during early build phases.

Paint vs. Wrap vs. Raw: Which Lasts Longer?

If you’re thinking long-term, paint is the clear winner in durability, followed by high-quality wraps. Raw finishes need the most maintenance and usually aren’t intended for long-term daily driving unless they’re properly sealed or cleared.

However, if your Altima is garage-kept, a wrap or raw look can last years with the right care.

Color Matching with Paint: Tips for Success

If you go the paint route, here are a few pro tips to ensure a flawless match:

1. Use the Factory Color Code – Found on your VIN sticker (usually inside the driver’s door jamb).

2. Blend Panels – If your body kit doesn’t line up perfectly with factory body lines, consider blending adjacent panels to avoid mismatch.

3. Hire a Pro – DIY paint jobs rarely match factory paint, especially under different lighting conditions.

Color Matching with Wrap: Things to Watch For

1. Test Swatches First – Wrap colors often look different in person versus online.

2. Wrap the Whole Car If Possible – That’s the only way to guarantee perfect consistency.

3. Choose a Reputable Installer – Skill is everything when it comes to wraps. Look for reviews and finished photos.

Raw Look Done Right: Minimalist but Purposeful

If you're keeping it raw, make it intentional:

• Use clear coat on carbon fiber to protect against UV.

• Pair raw parts with track-style accessories (splitters, diffusers, racing tow hooks).

• Keep everything clean and well-fitted. Rough edges will ruin the aggressive aesthetic. 

There’s a notion in the car modding scene that full custom paint is a dying art, replaced by wraps and quick aesthetic flips. But if anything, the return of track builds, JDM revivals, and OEM+ styling means custom paint is having a quiet comeback. It’s not the end of the era — it’s just shifting.

When it comes to the Nissan Altima, a model once dismissed as a commuter car, it’s clear that the custom community is breathing new life into the platform. Whether you’re building a stealthy street cruiser or a full-blown show car, how you color match your body kit plays a critical role in the final impact.

So choose wisely — whether you're going full paint, wild wrap, or raw and rugged, the right finish turns your Altima from factory-standard to stand-out.

For more tips, parts, and inspiration for your next custom build, check out overboost.com — your one-stop shop for everything body kits, styling, and beyond.