First Vinyl Wrap completed, AMA!

[chenshuo]

the end quality doesn't look like it's done by a first-timer! well done.
How long did this whole project take you?

[Ironsquid]

Originally Posted by p4png

Wow, thats really good especially the front bumper! I've done a full wrap before too, what was your technique for the grooves on the front bumper? Did you just heat and push the vinyl in? Also, did you use the 3m primer?

We did not use the 3m primer, however we bought it with the kit. We were told that the Hexis vinyl we used "cures" at a higher tempurature than most vinyl about 175F-190F degrees. The 3m primer will basically melt at this tempurature as we were told by autovinylsolutions.com.

Have a look at the Hexis vinyl stretch test on youtube, search hexis vinyl test. The guy heats a sheet of vinyl, puts his entire fist and arm up to shoulder in it. They heat it back up and the deformity/stretch pulls out, very tough vinyl.

For the grooves, I assume you mean the deep ridge where the headlights are. The trick was to play with the angles. We put the initial lay-down vinyl on based off the front fascia "plane". Then the top portion was a bend so naturally we had a crease/fold/extra slack in the hole for the headlamps. Angling the vinyl correctly to get slack into crevaces is key. Essentially we we're able to get it to lay down with some heat no problem.

[Ironsquid]

Originally Posted by chenshuo

the end quality doesn't look like it's done by a first-timer! well done.
How long did this whole project take you?

Right about 34 hours, including research on body panels with the shop manual.

If I was going to do it again, probably 25 hours. Now that I know how stuff comes off.

[Spd229]

This is really nice, I've been thinking of doing this myself provided I get tired of the blue or just decide to protect the stock paint and give myself a new look.

Granted, I imagine rocks will eat through this just as well? I haven't worked with vinyl at all.

[p4png]

Originally Posted by Ironsquid

We did not use the 3m primer, however we bought it with the kit. We were told that the Hexis vinyl we used "cures" at a higher tempurature than most vinyl about 175F-190F degrees. The 3m primer will basically melt at this tempurature as we were told by autovinylsolutions.com.

Have a look at the Hexis vinyl stretch test on youtube, search hexis vinyl test. The guy heats a sheet of vinyl, puts his entire fist and arm up to shoulder in it. They heat it back up and the deformity/stretch pulls out, very tough vinyl.

For the grooves, I assume you mean the deep ridge where the headlights are. The trick was to play with the angles. We put the initial lay-down vinyl on based off the front fascia "plane". Then the top portion was a bend so naturally we had a crease/fold/extra slack in the hole for the headlamps. Angling the vinyl correctly to get slack into crevaces is key. Essentially we we're able to get it to lay down with some heat no problem.

Man you must of had a lot of patience, the front bumper grill area looks like its the hardest, especially with the sharp point thing sticking out. Amazing job, you probably did this better than most shops out there.

[RZ86]

No offense or anything but it sort of reminds me of this:



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[Ironsquid]

Originally Posted by Spd229

This is really nice, I've been thinking of doing this myself provided I get tired of the blue or just decide to protect the stock paint and give myself a new look.

Granted, I imagine rocks will eat through this just as well? I haven't worked with vinyl at all.

If you talk to any professional detailer that's worked with FR-S/BRZ cars they will tell you the paint is very thin and soft from the factory. Almost any vinyl material would be better. Although Hexis for me has been test proven for durability on their youtube channels. I was instantly sold.

Hexis also sells clear vinyl if you want to protect your front end. Get some knifeless tape though!

[Ironsquid]

Originally Posted by p4png

Man you must of had a lot of patience, the front bumper grill area looks like its the hardest, especially with the sharp point thing sticking out. Amazing job, you probably did this better than most shops out there.

I wouldn't say that. I'm not skilled by any means, but like you said I did have some patience. It was very tiresome and exhausting, but worth it I think.

The front bumper took about 3 hours to lay down the vinyl to the edges. About another 2 hours to cut, tuck, fold, cure, etc.

The key for the sharp points and curves is heat and knowing the stretch point for the vinyl you're working with. Hexis claims 30% stretch before discoloration.

[Ironsquid]

Originally Posted by RZ86

No offense or anything but it sort of reminds me of this:



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This made my day, thank you.

edit: do you think you could do the roof scoop also?

[camelflage]

Originally Posted by RZ86

No offense or anything but it sort of reminds me of this:

[]http://fc06.deviantart.net/fs70/i/2010/182/3/f/Fast_and_the_Furious_Eclipse_by_CSixx.png[]

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[]http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4iDSUfhlV-0/UIDH-u7xZEI/AAAAAAAAEeM/uqrlS6wL-So/s1600/toyota+gt+86-2.jpg[]

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[]http://i.imgur.com/Xx8Xv2S.jpg[]

thats hot shit.

[staycrushing]

i love it... but i would also wrap trunk and hood... the color contrasts too hard against those panels with the carbon. leave the roof gloss black though.

great color choice and great work as well!!

[Ironsquid]

Originally Posted by staycrushing

i love it... but i would also wrap trunk and hood... the color contrasts too hard against those panels with the carbon. leave the roof gloss black though.

great color choice and great work as well!!

Thanks, We thought about wrapping the trunk and the hood when it comes in, but we like the dark CF color and green contrast in person under the sunlight. The iphone pics I've taken really don't show the color combo that well. The only thing that looks funny in my opinion is having both black and carbon panels, I think it all needs to be black or all CF.

It really does look like a matte neon green in the photos, but it's more of a Gloss Kawasaki Green in person under the sun, it's also as Glossy as the wet CF parts.

That being said, I wanted to showcase the CF work because it is beautiful IMO, but I respect your criticism. The only way I'd wrap the CF is with some sort of nice well done design that partially covered it instead of having hard lines. Might be too much, I dunno, open to suggestion.

[staycrushing]

try wrapping just the hood then at first... having options to switch back and forth. im sure it will look great!

[Ironsquid]

Originally Posted by staycrushing

try wrapping just the hood then at first... having options to switch back and forth. im sure it will look great!

We did order way too much Vinyl, we have enough leftover to halfway wrap another FRS, lol.

Here's a pic of the hood we're getting (Seibon TS-Style) and the design I thought might look ok.