Vinyl-Better Than Paint!?

[long33]

Hey Guys,

Thot I'd start off this tread after a recent experience at SCC '11.

You prob know what I'm talking about from the thread title, vinyl- the sticky type. We have prob all had experience with the stuff, mine was years ago on my first car, a prelude, I was doing it up while reading car mags and they always came with something free back then, a key chain, a set of dust caps or....stickers!! We can all remember the fade- a shopping list of manufacturers down a door or wheel arch, maybe even a big window sticker! Then along came the fast and the furious- big lairy side decals of a tiger or some cartoon character!? Wtf?? Even race cars, plaster the car with sponsor endorsements etc. Then when the iPhone came along the fade passed again- ebay suddenly had sheets of vinyl with weird designs to cover your phone with, just to be different. All different colours and pictures, even...wait for it...carbon fibre weave!! I got sucked in and bought some blue cf looking sheet, put it on my phone and felt good about it!

Then I googled the stuff-people were using it for everything!! Covering books, tables, toys, you name it! So of course I stumbled across cars, yep cars, people were putting the stuff on their bonnets, bumpers, dashes...ugh I said, what a waste of time and money, and soooo tacky and cheap looking!!

Months went by and I forgot about it, then last week I went to SCC, havent been for ages so I was excited at seeing so many skylines together again!

Long story short, I pulled up at the race track and next to me was a brand new looking 35. looked awesome, Matt black, nice rims, noting ott, just a nice clean car, with Matt black paint right?? WRONG

The car had some subtle signage on it, a company name, phone number etc. I stepped up to have a closer look and was shocked...

Vinyl Wrap- the car was covered in a big Matt black vinyl sticker!? WTF!!!

Soon as I got home I hit up google, yep, companies lining up to "wrap" your car in vinyl instead of paying big bucks for a respray, why not cover it with a sticker of what u really want? Got me thinking, and searching, surely this can't be. I found some awesome pics and threads, (and some rather poor attempts too).

Now I can't stop thinking about it, imagining how my car could look...I began pricing it up, it's not cheap aye! Yea alot cheaper than a respray, but I have painted my own bumpers, side skirts, bonnet etc with my compressor and gun in my own garage. And the vinyl stuff looks hard, how can you get it to mould to a car without it stretching or melting, or ripping!!?

What I want to know and show, is how to do it, do it cost effectively, and do it right. Has anyone on here gone beyond doing their dash or interior bits and pieces and done their entire car, or panels? What have you used? Carbon fibre and matt black seem to be all over the net, I like the ones that have tried to emulate a proper paint scheme, Matt orange anyone? there are even chrome cars going about! I want to see someone who has done this to a daily drive.

Am I alone in thinking this mite be cool? I admit at first I shuddered at the thought. bu after looking more and more the idea is growing on me.

Post up pics and thoughts, I mite even end up having a go at this if I get some $$$ together (and alot of free time)

Darren

[zebra]

While I havent done it myself, I have also looked into it, the vinyl can be heated and stretched, and should be covered in soapy water so it can be pulled into shape.

There are guys who can do it properly for you, but they charge a fortune.

I will add the full vinyl wrapped cars generally look good from a far, but up close not so good.

I decided not to do the whole car, but key points to set the car off

[zebra]

http://www.skylinesaustralia.com/forums/topic/383512-fs-matt-black-vinyl-for-car-wrap-shipping-australia-wide/

there you go, gives a basic run down on how to apply it

[75coupe]

if you havnt installed large areas of vinyl before or only done smallish stuff, then just get a professional installer, less headaches, easily a better result.

a good installer will of gone to a course to learn how to do this, not just a day course either...

if your in melbourne I know of a great installer Ive used for cars where Ive done large all over designs for...