Vinyl Wrapping Thread

[Henz]

Ok so lately I've been having a dabble in vinyl wrapping, just as a hobby. This is a great way to kill a few hours and change the look of any part of your car.

Firstly, to get started you need a few things.

A heat gun, anywhere from $30-50 from a hardware shop.

Some wax and grease remover for cleaning surfaces.

Some Stanley knifes, scalpel style, whatever really

A squeegee, I brought mine from Connect in Carrum Downs.

Vinyl- now for bigger rolls suppliers like Connect. Sign stores, Etc are better for getting bigger rolls. Small rolls can be brought from eBay, Alibaba etc, but qualitys a mystery.

One thing to look for, and it's important, AIR RELEASE! If doing large panels, get some vinyl with a air release backing!

For interior panels, cheaper non air release is fine.

I started with mirrors and interior trims, this is the best way to learn how to handle curves. When vinyl is heated, it is very pliable and perfect for curves. When heating, it will pull out any wrinkle mark.

Moving onto exterior panels. This is where a bit of experience is a must. Doing large surfaces requires 2 people.

In my experience, with panels like the bonnet, work from the centre out wards. With the roof, front to back, and other panels top to bottom. This Is what has worked best for me.

I do it all with my brother, you need patience so make sure you get a Partner that doesn't sh*t you.

We brought this car to start practicing on. We also brought 12x 1.5m of Avery air release, it would take another 10 to finish the car due to wastage.

Also lowered it.

[freeze_dk]

When doing it do you cut to the edge or make it wrap around a few mm?

Ps. Whats air release backing

Edited 09/09/12 02:29 AM by freeze_dk

[Pazzo]

Top job, love JDs wheels and cannot wait for my Hot pink Rota wheels you are going to do.

[Henz]

Air release backing is small Chanels in the vinyl that let the air out. Without these it is very painful to work with. Any small air bubbles can be pushed out.

Edited 09/09/12 02:49 AM by Dagabond

[Never had any say Panda]

Hey mate.. When doing a carbon fibre vinyl and using heat to pull it does it distort the pattern? Or stretch it noticeably?

Or do you just pull the bubbles out and not actually stretch the vinyl?

[Bellato]

Can't wait till your bro's car is finished in camo! It's coming along real well.

How much does it cost for vinyl with the air release thing?

[Henz]

With patterns you cannot stretch it, this actually made an xr8 bonet we did recently pretty tricky. Normally if there's a curve, you would pull it over, then heat cast it in. But that would destroy the carbon pattern.

Also carbon wrap is made differently, its two sheet layered.

For good air release vinyls, it's around $65 a meter, patterns are abit dearer.

But when I started I used $5 a meter x500mm stuff from alibaba.

[freeze_dk]

I wanna do bonnet, roof, boot in carbon.. Yes/no?

[Henz]

Do it. If you don't like it peel it off.

[ms700]

Very keen to vinyl wrap my wheel arches on my XC, then if I dont like it, left shoulder it.....