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06-17-2020, 08:23 PM | #25 |
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Hey guys!
Thanks for all the positive comments! I've always worked on my cars, especially regarding maintenance, but this was probably the most daunting thing I've ever done on any of my cars. Not only does it require knowledge on how to lay the vinyl film on the body of the car, you also need to learn how to take apart the car so you have full access to the body panels. So here's some advice, tips and observations that I learned while vinyl wrapping my car for the first time! YMMV! 1. If this is your daily driver, do not do this unless you have time to complete the project. It really takes time and patience and A CLEAN CAR. In the 9 days that it took me to wrap my car, I had to drive it on 2 instances and re-prepping the car was tedious. It also seems to break up the momentum when you're done with one panel and then having to re-prep the car. 2. Buy some decent supplies. For instance, I purchased a cheap heat gun from ACE hardware and that failed on me halfway through wrapping my trunk. Since I usually wrapped my car towards the late evening, when my kid/wife were asleep, I couldn't finish wrapping my trunk and had to throw away the material until I got a new heat gun the next day. Now for my new heat gun, I didn't buy the most expensive heat gun, but I read reviews on Amazon this time and bought a real popular one that worked very well. Also, don't forget to buy a good 3 prong extension cord. Speaking of heat guns, that leads me to my next point. 3. Heat is your friend. So is the weather. When I would first wrap the car, I would do it late at night when it was around 60 degrees. On weekends I was able to do it in the day when it was closer to 70-80 degrees and the film was a lot easier to deal with and pliable. Also, when I first started I was scared to use the heat gun, but these vinyl films are very forgiving and love heat. 4. Patience is your friend. Sometimes having the time to wrap your car slowly is a blessing. The ability to only wrap a panel or two a day gave me the ability to be patient on working the film on the body. When I was done with that panel, I would just be done for the day and not stress about finishing the car. This was great for my sanity as rushing a wrap job is no bueno. 5. Wrapping your car yourself, isn't a cheap endeavor, but its much cheaper than having someone do it for you. Plus, should anything fail, at least you know how to wrap it yourself. All in with the vinyl film, I think I spent about $600, which includes 2 heat guns. These were the supplies that I used: Vinyl Film: https://www.cheetahwrap.com/ (Get the 5x75ft roll) Amazon Wrap Tools: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Fishing Line for Emblems: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Knifeless Tape: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Heat Gun: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Extension Cord: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Make sure to buy a LOT of knifeless tape. It would seem that one roll is enough, but it gets used up a lot. Also regarding the viynl film, buy the bigger roll! When I was done, I only had some scraps left, which I saved should I need to fix something. 6. Change your razor blade frequently. Having a sharp razor is SO IMPORTANT! Also, don't use too much pressure cutting film on your car as you don't want to cut your paint, but you need to apply enough pressure to score the film. There were times where I didn't cut enough and ended up pulling the wrap off the body panel. UGH...Those were frustrating times. 7. Wear some clothes that you don't mind getting dirty. There will be times where you will be sitting on the floor so you'll get dirty! 8. This is optional, but helped A LOT, but get some race ramps. It'll save your back. 9. Regarding your back, try actually stretching prior to wrapping your car. No joke, but this isn't just putting stickers on your car. It's pretty physical and your fingers and back will hurt. I exercise and run every day and I was still sore. Those wrap gloves in the wrap kit help a lot as well! 10. and my last point is JUST DO IT! You can only watch so many videos and analyze how you are going to do it, but the experience of doing it yourself (and messing up) will be invaluable. Get your hands dirty and just do it! I am a real estate broker by trade and analysis paralysis is no joke, even to my seasoned investors. Yet if you are able, armed with knowledge and willing to trust yourself, you will be fine! I think that is it for now. I'm very happy with my wrap and I just drove 2 hours (4 hours) total to a meeting in San Diego from LA and my wrap held up just fine! WOOOO! Let me know if you have any questions! Julian |
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06-17-2020, 09:37 PM | #28 | |
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I think you can get Xpel which has a frosted clear film. It’s mucho money though. Its like $1000 for a roll of 5x20ft. You’ll need ~70ft to do the whole car so yea thatll be quite the cost in materials! But at least you’ll protect your car! That’s a great benefit in wrapping your car as well. |
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06-17-2020, 09:59 PM | #29 |
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Great job Julian!! And as Kief stated.....you got some skill my friend.
Again....awesome job, and thanks for sharing this project with the forum.
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06-17-2020, 10:57 PM | #31 | |
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You know it was because of you that I actually started last Friday. You posted your new MR M4 and that's what pushed me over the edge to start. I actually bought all the material for my bday on May 14th and held onto the materials because I wasn't as motivated. Seeing your new gorgeous red ride had me convinced that I needed color! haha |
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06-17-2020, 11:20 PM | #32 | ||
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06-17-2020, 11:52 PM | #34 | |
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So odd that hes getting clowned on his post and he’s trying to be understanding and judicious, then turns around and clowns on another members car on a thread that has nothing to do with that part. Poor guy needs a hug. |
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06-18-2020, 08:36 PM | #35 |
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I wrapped my buddies Audi before and also my F10 550. Took me about the same 50 hours total doing it solo working alittle bit every night. I swore I would NEVER do something like that again. everything came out perfect but it was a big undertaking of you are OCD like me. Every edge had to be perfect and ever line had to be straight. I think if you have a nice indoor garage where you can work on the car alittle bit every day it wouldn't feel as monumental of a task.
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06-18-2020, 08:52 PM | #36 | |
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06-18-2020, 09:01 PM | #37 | |
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06-18-2020, 09:49 PM | #38 |
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Is the little antenna an actual like rubber antenna or is it like the shark fin on our f8x cars? If the antenna is just the rubber one you can screw off, it should be easy to wrap the roof DIY. If its a shark fin, taking it off usually requires removing the interior headliner and takes some time. Also wrapping the shark fin is usually difficult but doable.
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06-18-2020, 10:44 PM | #40 | |
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06-19-2020, 02:10 AM | #41 |
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06-19-2020, 02:13 AM | #42 |
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Yea seriously. It was one of those things that before I started, I scoffed at the amount of money companies quoted me. By the end I understood why it cost so much. Towards the end I was ready to throw in the towel and just pay someone to finish the bumpers. M bumpers are notorious on how hard they are to wrap, but I am glad I persevered! Now I know should the wrap fail somehow, I can fix it myself as opposed to going to the installer!
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