Anybody has any experience with vinyl wrapping?

"Alex87f" (alex87f) 01/17/2014 at 12:56 • Filed to: None

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I'm thinking of doing my car's roof in gloss black. Was looking at some 3M 1080 wrap since I'm told that's what's best and that you shouldn't greed out on the vinyl's quality.

Is it complicated to get it right? How easily stretchable are those?

Also, how do they stand washing? I never use any automatic rolls or those hand brushes you see at cleaning stations. Only pressurized water and then microfiber gloves with good products and two buckets.

I'd want to do a contrasted roof like the limited-edition newer generation swifts (which would actually be a wrap..):

(only mine would be black-over-silver)

lucky's pepper > Alex87f 01/17/2014 at 13:36

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Do not go cheap on the vinyl, especially on the roof which has maximum exposure to the elements. And yes, it is difficult to manipulate vinyl if you've no experience with it.

Looking at the picture in your post, I'm guessing the most difficult part would be the spoiler on the back. If the spoiler is a bolt on (I can't tell) and there is a seam separating it from the roof it will be a lot easier because you could do the roof, trim it at the seam, then the spoiler separate. If it's integrated into the roof it will be a lot harder.

If you give it a try the key to adhesion is that roof will need to be CLEAN!! The edges are the biggest concern and where the vinyl will peel first if things aren't spotless.

And removal is another concern. Peel it off the week after you put it on and it would be an easy job. Remove it 5 yrs. later, when it's started peeling, and it would be a nightmare.

Alex87f > lucky's pepper 01/17/2014 at 13:41

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Wow, thanks for the answer =). We agree on the importance of the vinyl's quality.

Regarding the spoiler, it's a 2-piece setup. So I'd have to do the part with the 3rd brake light, and then the spoiler itself (which still is my biggest concern):

Is a clay bar cleaning compulsory before fitting the vinyl? The car's four years old and is washed / waxed every now and then.

I don't plan on keeping it on for 5 years. Probably for a year or two, not more.

lucky's pepper > Alex87f 01/17/2014 at 14:03

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The roof would be easy with the side seems where they are. One big almost flat surface. No complex curves. The rear spoiler will be tough, there's no way around that but at least you can do it separate from the roof, then each part of the spoiler separately.

What you need to clean things with is a good degreaser/dewaxer. Can't think of the stuff I use but they'll have it at any store that sells automotive paint and supplies. You need to remove all the grease and wax for the vinyl to stick well. After degreasing it go over it with a tack cloth to get rid of any dirt/dust that will show under the vinyl.

Make sure you have a good supply of fresh blades for your Exacto knife and change them constantly (every few inches) when your trimming the vinyl. And don't push down on the blade, just drag it.

Makoyouidiot > Alex87f 01/17/2014 at 15:15

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The vinyl stripes on my Disco stood up to any cleaning technique I could throw at them, including an air powered buffer.