First Vinyl Wrap completed, AMA!

[Ironsquid]

Originally Posted by F-T

Ashley!!! looks super nice!!! you guys did a wonderful job! I love that color! 3m is our favorite film to work with... I was waiting for someone to use this color... We actually just removed our gold vinyl and are riding asphalt until we may wrap it again.... Were you able to do the bumper with one piece??

Yeah we did the bumper off the car in one piece in our living room. It was hard, but not too bad. We may end up with a carbon front lip that covers the lower front grill area anyway.

It's the most technical area, but I still think the hardest piece was the first panel we did (rear quarter, lower door side skirt, upper door frame piece).

[JoeBoxer]

I'm gonna go ahead and order that too, for 20$ its well worth it and i'm thinking about starting a business doing small parts i'm not ready to try a whole car though.

[Mandy]

Someone was envying your car on Reddit.

I sent them here so they could continue admiring.

[DuMa]

amazing. i love that kawasaki green. Great JOB for a first time vinyler

[nab335]

you should drop it and itll be set. but i think you should vinyl up the gas covers, handles, and fender inserts because it sortof looks tacky imo.

[ilpad]

diggin the color choice!

[M-17]

Fuck'n love it. Can I have it? :happy0180:

[Alltezza]

Originally Posted by Liquid Thinker

As someone who does wraps for a living, I must say you did a nice job. I wanted to clear up a few things or offer my opinion on some things you touched on though in case others are thinking of doing the install.



Hexis, 3M, and Oracal all make very good vinyl. While they do have their small individual issues or differences they are pretty much equal.

The 10 year life that was quoted for Hexis is based on a vertical install in central European climate. They only list a recommended life of 2-3 years on wraps (depending on the vinyl and color) in their climate. Here in Florida we see year and a half two years max before they begin to show some signs of age on the hood, roof, and trunk. Which is pretty typical across the three major brands. From experience, good luck getting warranty coverage in Florida after about a year and a half from ANY manufacturer.

All 3 major brands install fairly similarly. Most of Oracal's films are thinner and they wrap complex shapes/curves easier but they will tear a bit easier if you tug on them to stretch them out. The same is true for virtually all carbon fiber vinyl, it likes to tear along the pattern when stretching it. Hexis has a tendency to pull away and lift off some plastics and such but they have very specific lift test instructions on their site to check your surface before ordering. 3M can be less tolerant of high and low temps when it comes to install. All these issues are incredibly minor but will give you an idea of the small differences.

As long as the vinyl is made by 3M, Hexis, or Oracal you should be fine. Just order from whoever makes the color or texture you want.

I just ordered vinyl from http://vvividvinyl.com/ I was going to wrap my hood first and see how well I do and then I'll decide if I wanna wrap my whole car. Do you know anything about these guys?

[Ironsquid]

Originally Posted by Liquid Thinker

As someone who does wraps for a living, I must say you did a nice job. I wanted to clear up a few things or offer my opinion on some things you touched on though in case others are thinking of doing the install.



Hexis, 3M, and Oracal all make very good vinyl. While they do have their small individual issues or differences they are pretty much equal.

The 10 year life that was quoted for Hexis is based on a vertical install in central European climate. They only list a recommended life of 2-3 years on wraps (depending on the vinyl and color) in their climate. Here in Florida we see year and a half two years max before they begin to show some signs of age on the hood, roof, and trunk. Which is pretty typical across the three major brands. From experience, good luck getting warranty coverage in Florida after about a year and a half from ANY manufacturer.

All 3 major brands install fairly similarly. Most of Oracal's films are thinner and they wrap complex shapes/curves easier but they will tear a bit easier if you tug on them to stretch them out. The same is true for virtually all carbon fiber vinyl, it likes to tear along the pattern when stretching it. Hexis has a tendency to pull away and lift off some plastics and such but they have very specific lift test instructions on their site to check your surface before ordering. 3M can be less tolerant of high and low temps when it comes to install. All these issues are incredibly minor but will give you an idea of the small differences.

As long as the vinyl is made by 3M, Hexis, or Oracal you should be fine. Just order from whoever makes the color or texture you want.

Coming up on 3 years, vinyl still holding up and looking nice in Florida. Several track events, some chips out of the vinyl in the front bumper from normal road wear and tear but overall the investment was really worth it.

[8R6]

damn thats an amazing job for a first time wrapper. that front bumper is no joke lol