Vinyl Wrap

[cherring]

This long weekend I plan to spend vinyl wrapping my car to freshen up the look and hopefully bring the exterior up to the quality of the rest of the car. I've watched some videos and done a bit of reading on how to apply the wrap, but am just wondering if people have any tips on the process or some good videos and the like that they could share?

Cheers.

[75coupe]

Get someone with experience to help, vinyl wrapping is a learnt technique, not always as easy as it may seem in a video...

[cherring]

Unfortunately I don't really have access to anyone with the experience to help out. I don't expect it to be simple, but I'll give it a go anyway, with some patience I'm sure I can work it out (touch wood)

[C4a0s]

why not use plastidip? seems easy enough with a spray gun

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNY9Dx617N8

[D.I.Y. Mik]

Yes i have done this.

You need a helper 100%, someone who is clever enough to understand how it works.

The cheap stuff wont stretch as much, and wont shrink as much. So its more limited in how you can apply it. And harder to do a large area like the bonnett, without wrinkles, or big corners without having to cut and fold.

The glue isnt as good so it will peel on some edges and bubble in some low spots after a while.

BUT its heaps easier to remove than the good stuff. Which is important if its not going to be there forever.

When i was doing my bonnett, it was winter and the end of the day, so it got too cold and ripped just as i was finishing. Even with the heat gun it needs a warm day.

I see you have a 32gtst too.. the wing is a total bitch...3rd time i got it, it has to be done in 3 pieces.

I have just peeled it all off for painting. It served its purpose: to cover the pad paint and unpainted dent repairs for the last 2 years.

So its a shortcut instead of painting, its soft and is damaged easily, and a professional job costs as much as paint.

Bonnett rip and patch, the wing, cant get around the corners properly on the front bar.

Skirt went well, pod eventually got bubbles in that groove part.

[asps91]

Get yourself a good squeegy and apply the wrap evenly using it. Without it you will have problems with air bubbles.

Edited January 27, 2014 by asps91

[75coupe]

air bubbles arnt that much of an issue with vinyl applications, you will usually get small air bubbles in places but vinyl breathes and heat from the sun will over a day or two tighten the vinyl and the air bubbles will go away, small ones atleast...

use a really good vinyl brand

I personally wouldnt use a large squeege, Id use the normal small vinyl install one.

really clean the car well and perhaps clay bar before install

expect it to take a long time if its your first time, like a few days easily

[asps91]

The cheap wrap I had was really bad for air bubbles, can't comment on the proper 3m stuff though. I wrapped my entire dash with it. Shitty pics attached.

[75coupe]

Fake carbon fibre wrap and normal coloured automotive vinyl are very different materials to work with, im very much not a fan of the fake cf wrap, to install or to look at. Decent avery vinyl wrap is a very different animal

[RusH_]

If you're planning on doing it, as mentioned, use a reputable brands film, too many people buy the cheap ebay crap, not only does it not stretch and not shrink as well, it also shrinks all on its own, try leaving a piece of it on the backing paper and coming back to it in a week or 2, you'll see it's receeded in from the backing paper as it was manufactured using a cheaper process than the top of the range manufacturers.

Stick to a name brand, 3M, Avery, Hexis (Avery Supreme is my preference) It is easier (when you know what you're doing) to apply and will remove easier 90% of the time, the cheaper brands adhesives are usually overly aggressive.

Prepare to spend a fair bit of vinyl and to waste A LOT if you have never done it before.

[ShyBoi]

When I wrapped my last car I wet down the whole door/bonnet/quarters with spray bottle etc and got a helper to give me a hand. And rubbed out all air bubbles while applying it. Came out perfect and that was done in big sheets.

Everyones got different techniques to how to do it. That was just my approach and never had an issue with bubbles or shrinking.

[asps91]

That's how I do my dirtbike vynils. ^

[D.I.Y. Mik]

If you're planning on doing it, as mentioned, use a reputable brands film, too many people buy the cheap ebay crap, not only does it not stretch and not shrink as well, it also shrinks all on its own, try leaving a piece of it on the backing paper and coming back to it in a week or 2, you'll see it's receeded in from the backing paper as it was manufactured using a cheaper process than the top of the range manufacturers.

Stick to a name brand, 3M, Avery, Hexis (Avery Supreme is my preference) It is easier (when you know what you're doing) to apply and will remove easier 90% of the time, the cheaper brands adhesives are usually overly aggressive.

Prepare to spend a fair bit of vinyl and to waste A LOT if you have never done it before.

Exactly, thats why the low spots lift or bubble with the cheap stuff, it shrinks and lifts out of the low spot.

I think the cheap stuff has its place, if you want to cover it for a short time untill you paint or something.

It just doesnt last very long, 1 year for the cheap one and it needs removing.