Car Vinyl Wrap DIY
#1
Racer
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Car Vinyl Wrap DIY - 3-4 months later
Before the holiday, I posted a suvey on what color of blue I should go with for my vinyl wrap. The Intense blue won the survey. To be honest either one of them would look great. To recap a bit,.. I decided to vinyl wrap my car because of clear coat peeling in one area (passenger door), while the rest of the paint is not bad, it is certainly not concours quality. So in short, I went with the vinyl wrap because its a cheap alternative to respray, until I amass enough found to do a full, quality repaint.
A few pictures to show what color i was debating, mostly a light blue versus the more vibrant blue.
The second picture shows where the clear coat is peeling. When I peeled the vinyl strip in that area, more clear coat came with it.
A few pictures to show what color i was debating, mostly a light blue versus the more vibrant blue.
The second picture shows where the clear coat is peeling. When I peeled the vinyl strip in that area, more clear coat came with it.
Last edited by PChar; 05-16-2013 at 12:15 AM.
#2
Racer
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So here we go, I pull the trigger on this just before Christmas. But of course with the relatives coming, the in-laws, and the boss not letting me in the garage for more than 5 minutes, this got put on the back burner.
I also tackled a trailing arm bushing and spring plate upgrade first, which I just finished last weekend.
Here is a full 50' roll of 3M Scotchprint hight quality vinyl. This stuff comes in 5 feet wide, by pretty much as long as you want.
I also tackled a trailing arm bushing and spring plate upgrade first, which I just finished last weekend.
Here is a full 50' roll of 3M Scotchprint hight quality vinyl. This stuff comes in 5 feet wide, by pretty much as long as you want.
#3
Racer
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Over the last few evening I managed to lay a few pannels. I have to say that the front fender was a biotch, lost of round edges and with the cold weather didnt help at all. I had to redo the front fender three times so it looks great (a little ****). Just make sure you make you measurement more than once (hence three times,...).
The vinyl is very easy to work with if you take your time. It stretches enough under heat to do round edges. I think the mirror might be a different story and may require a seam somewhere.
The finish is realy great. This is not the mat stuff but rather glossy. So it will show much more of the imperfections.
The vinyl is very easy to work with if you take your time. It stretches enough under heat to do round edges. I think the mirror might be a different story and may require a seam somewhere.
The finish is realy great. This is not the mat stuff but rather glossy. So it will show much more of the imperfections.
#4
Three Wheelin'
Looking forward to this one
Keep us posted on progress and ease of use please, a mate is thinking of doing this for a living, but I'm not sure it's gonna be as easy as he thinks.
Good luck bud
Chris
Keep us posted on progress and ease of use please, a mate is thinking of doing this for a living, but I'm not sure it's gonna be as easy as he thinks.
Good luck bud
Chris
#5
Racer
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I really want to take my time and achieve the best result I can. So I removed the bumper, door handles, rocker pannels, shark fin, and mirrors.
Prepping the surface is not rocket science, just a very good wash and I applied a paint sealer, and wax. This made the surface very smooth, and provided good adherence for the vinyl. There are some vinyl prep solutions on the market, but I was told it was not necessary with a good wash, and wax.
Prepping the surface is not rocket science, just a very good wash and I applied a paint sealer, and wax. This made the surface very smooth, and provided good adherence for the vinyl. There are some vinyl prep solutions on the market, but I was told it was not necessary with a good wash, and wax.
#6
Instructor
Can't wait to see the finished product!
How does the gloss compare to paint? Just curious how obvious it is that it's vinyl and not paint.
I wonder too if it can be waxed to make it really shine...
How does the gloss compare to paint? Just curious how obvious it is that it's vinyl and not paint.
I wonder too if it can be waxed to make it really shine...
#7
Formerly turbotwoshoes
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I hope our friends across the pond don't get ideas
I like what you are doing... Your workmanship is great. I also want to know, how long will it last and how long do you want it to last?
I was just thinking, if I was a Harlequins Rugby fan, and I could get my hands on some blues, browns and orange, a bloke could really make a statement. Go quins! http://www.quins.co.uk
I was just thinking, if I was a Harlequins Rugby fan, and I could get my hands on some blues, browns and orange, a bloke could really make a statement. Go quins! http://www.quins.co.uk
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#8
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That's looking good!
How much does a roll of the material cost to do the entire car?
I know most auto detail places charge around $3,000 to wrap
a complete car.
How much does a roll of the material cost to do the entire car?
I know most auto detail places charge around $3,000 to wrap
a complete car.
#10
Three Wheelin'
Very nice. It is mathematically very difficult to do the mirrors without a seam. Hide it underneath.
#11
I was able to find this link. No affiliations.
http://www.cutterpros.com/3M-Wrap-Fi...-50-Colors.htm
http://www.cutterpros.com/3M-Wrap-Fi...-50-Colors.htm