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Mercedes Sprinter wrap
Hi all,
I’ve booked a 2001 Mercedes Sprinter in next week for a full wrap, it’s the one with the mega deep recess on the panels. I have always heard of people cutting the recesses out and leaving the original paint exposed, is this the best way to do these vans or can I wrap and heat lock the vinyl without them lifting?
Cheers
Ewan
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15 Replies
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What vinyl are you using? 3M 380 is designed for deep recesses this does not have the comply air release adhesive and is very conformable.
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I am using KPMF gloss black air release, although it’s air release the glue seems pretty strong.
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Hi Ewan
It can be done if the vehicle is cleaned correctly, has good solid paintwork (we are talking about a 12 year old commercial vehicle!) using the right material and with the correct application process and correct heating process.
This vehicle is one of the most prone to failures of vehicle wraps.
My question is with all the above in mind how have you worked out what to charge the customer for them to book it in?
Have you done any vehicle wrap training, if not I would think about subbing this to a freelance vehicle wrapper or going on a wrap course or both
Sorry if I sound like I’m being mr doom and gloom but I’d rather say now than when you have problems further down the line
Regards
Alex
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I think the only air release materials that have a warranty valid for deep recesses are the 3M and avery supreme materials.
I could be wrong though…
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I haven’t completed a course as such but I know the guys at Radecal in Washington who gave me basic training. I usually only wrap roofs, bonnets and mirrors but I completed a half wrap of a Sambar (vw camper looka like) van last week, I was happy with the results and more importantly the customer loved it 😀
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Hi Ewan
I’ve just had a look on the kpmf website, the air release fitting instructions are on the website, it says not to heat the material in to recesses, instead you cut a piece of vinyl and lay it in the recess and the overlap the film on to it, you shouldn’t really use that kind of film for anything other than very gentle curves, and the material shouldn’t be stretched at all.
Regards
Alex
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I meant to say, it’s for a friend so I’m doing it for a good price and allowing one day for prep work, eg cleaning, tar and gluing, drying it off then cleaning all panels with isopropanol. I am allowing a further two days to wrap and letter the van as it’s just a swb.
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I think you might be surprised how long it takes, I tend to get bored cleaning but it’s one of the areas that you can’t cut corners on.
It would be good to hear your views on the material and how it looks 6-12 months down the line.
Good luck!
Cheers
Alex
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Hi Alex,
I checked the KPMF website there, it’s the K88000 series, it says it’s suitable for total vehicle wraps and very highly conformable. I used the matt black one for a half wrap last week, there was a lot of really curved panels, especially the front panel and it sat down perfectly with a heat lock. The recess on the sprinter doesn’t phase me ability wise but I have heard people saying they are prone to lifting.
Cheers
Ewan
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Forgot to say I am not wrapping the roof or the lip before it, this will cut the time down
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That vinyl won’t stay in those recesses. It’s not even a cast.
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If you have a look on the technical page the fitting instructions are there but might be best to give kpmf a call to check as it doesn’t relate fitting instructions to a particular product range.
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Hi Alex,
I had a look at the fitting guide on the website there, I am happy to use their recess technique. I took the customers newer lwb sprinter down to Radecal last year to learn how to wrap, they just cut the recesses without filling them in and cut around the door handles. The guy was and still is absolutely delighted with the van but I want to make it look a bit more professional without be as pernickety as I would be with a car. Customer basically wants it to look black from a distance to tie in with the company’s branding.
Cheers
Ewan
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Hi mate
Whatever vinyl you are using, even top end 3M, we would issue some sort of disclaimer for those recesses on that age of van, i.e.
"The ‘window’ panel recesses on this model of Sprinter van are the most challenging to wrap on pretty much any van. We warrant we will use the best possible wrap material, industry best practice application techniques, accredited fitters, plus advanced techniques gained from our experience of installing 10,000 + metres of wrap vinyl. However, as the van is at the very least a few years old then we can’t offer a guarantee that the vinyl won’t ‘pop out’ to some degree in the recesses – no one could. Any blemishes, nicks, rust spots, re-sprayed areas etc. in the recesses will cause this effect…."
It is always best to set realistic expectations up front.
I’d even give the disclaimer if your were piecing and patching.
If it were a brand new fresh Sprinter we’d actually offer a guarantee against pop outs but thats a world away from the van you’ve got .
Cheers
Macky -
Thanks David, sorry for the late reply. I wrapped the van using kpmf air release gloss black. I cut and pieced the window recesses and told them due to the age and condition of the van they may lift. I didn’t realise how bad the condition of the van was and I was basically wrapping rust instead of paint :lol1:
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