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  • Vehicle Wrapping

    am i a 3M Approved Fitter?

    Posted by Andrew Ward on 15 January 2004 at 23:58

    Never in my 10 years of being a sign fitter/maker have i had someone ask me if i was "3M Approved" untill today.
    I like to think i know a fair bit about fitting, as its all i did for the first 8 years in the trade, day in, day out.
    Im willing to learn and its always good to pick up tips, hence being on these boards.
    So, what would i have to do (How much would i have to pay) to become 3M approved? At the end of the day is it really worth the paper its written on??

    Comments please……

    David Rowland replied 14 years, 6 months ago 15 Members · 23 Replies
  • 23 Replies

  • Robert Lambie

    Member
    16 January 2004 at 00:47

    well this is something i have been looking into myself mate.
    ive contacted a few folk and had bits of feedback.. basicaly its available in the states but hard to come by over here. well thats what i find anyway..
    you posting this has just reminded me to email someone so ill let you know when i get a reply.
    KPMF did simular but i heard it was basicaly a days tuition and some question tests. thats sorta stuff.. i dont think it was a case of ok start appying this and that, & we will grade you! this is how i think it should be.
    i think its all an introduction to the type of vinyl. again this is for wrapping i havent heard a certificate just for applying though.

  • Andrew Ward

    Member
    16 January 2004 at 00:58

    Yeah.Im worried its just a way of making me part with my money, only to tell me somthing i already know.

    Let me know what you find out please. Now a days course in vehicle wrapping i don’t mind paying for.Ive done full wraps before, but i would like to see how others approach it.

  • Robert Lambie

    Member
    16 January 2004 at 01:40

    THATS IT IN A NUTSHELL MATE.. oops caps..
    there are many folk offering tuition on applying vinyl.. but how do they know they are qualified? do they have certificates themself?
    Ive been vinyl fitting for many years now.. about 10-11 years dry. ive done huge artic lorries to small bubble cars.. done full wraps and many part wraps.
    i would still like something on paper from the manufacturers own people. your only as good as your teacher.. and im self taught! 😮 😆

  • Phill Fenton

    Member
    16 January 2004 at 09:08

    If anyone’s interested, you can send me a cheque for £25 + VAT and I’ll send you back a certificate saying you are a “The Right Signs” approved vinyl fitter (no questions asked). For an extra tenner I’ll include a frame to display your certificate. 😉

  • Gazza

    Member
    16 January 2004 at 09:16

    Hey Phill, why don’t you charge £50, then you can buy a pint up at the “Deer Park” and if you “SIGN” it 😕 You could probably scam another £20, enough for a sausage roll!. Gaz

  • Bill Dewison

    Member
    16 January 2004 at 09:19

    Throw in a free pen and a complimentary signed picture of yourself Phill and you’ve got yourself a bargain product! Where do I sign? 😉

    Humble opinion, but I think the ‘piece of paper’ is just like in any other industry, it’d only matter to the pedantic customer or the politically correct employer I think. It opens a whole new door of licensing and regulation which just stiffles innovation and means there will still be the ‘cowboy’ fitters, but now they’ll have a piece of paper to show you whilst they’re tying up their horse! 😉

    I’m a believer in ‘Your only as good as your last job’ mentality, ie if you’d show the last job you did to your next customer without cringing or thinking ‘ I could’ve done that better ‘. Obviously there are going to be better fitters than others, but once you’re known by reputation and your workmanship, you’re virtually ‘time-served’ which in most industries is a happy replacement for the piece of paper.

    Cheers, Dewi

  • Dave Bruce

    Member
    16 January 2004 at 19:54

    Dewi
    I once fitted a cowboy, hell of a job getting his boots on while in the stirrups was a nightmare!

    My last job was absolutely fantastic I got paid well, it was creative and produced a quality product,I was in a cosy workshop made my own decisions, absolutely top notch, so that makes me………….

    think I had better stop sniffing this forum!

    *hair* 😆

  • richard clark

    Member
    19 January 2004 at 21:18

    3M hold training courses for vinyl applicators. It usually (or used to) cover all of the basics of vinyl application and you are shown how to apply 3M vinyl. Basic application of cast vinyl is also included.

    You will not learn anything new but will, at the end of the day, be able to say you are a 3M approved applicator. This then enables you to apply 3M vinyl, either printed or conventionally cut, and be part of the 3M MCS warranty scheme.

    Is it of any benefit. Maybe.

    Richard

  • Sean Davis

    Member
    21 March 2011 at 22:47

    Hi Gents we are approved 3m installers and distributors. Have had a long relationship with them. Have attended all the courses etc. It does work in our favour to have an association. I know they are a big organisation but they are also very professional.

  • Phill Fenton

    Member
    21 March 2011 at 22:53
    quote Phill Fenton:

    If anyone’s interested, you can send me a cheque for £25 + VAT and I’ll send you back a certificate saying you are a “The Right Signs” approved vinyl fitter (no questions asked). For an extra tenner I’ll include a frame to display your certificate. 😉

    Just a quick update – my price has gone up to £40 + Vat given that it is now seven years later 😕

  • Harry Cleary

    Member
    21 March 2011 at 23:11
    quote Phill Fenton:

    my price has gone up

    As has your hairline! 😀

  • David Rowland

    Member
    21 March 2011 at 23:20

    So since 2004, is there ANYONE here 3M qualified lol

  • Robert Lambie

    Member
    21 March 2011 at 23:27

    I’m an authorised 3M vehicle wrapper. 😀

  • Stewart Wright

    Member
    22 March 2011 at 00:22

    I know the guy that gave me vehicle wrapping training is an approved 3m applicator but he worked for william smiths for years and they are in with 3M, but I don’t think they offer course in uk or do they?. I’ve read you can do it in usa

  • David-Foster-

    Member
    22 March 2011 at 08:10
    quote Bill.:

    Cheers, Dewi

    Hello Dewi, nice to see you here again, I remember you starting up in Leigh. I was in St Helens and never got to stop by for that brew 😀 Are you still there?

  • David Rowland

    Member
    22 March 2011 at 08:59
    quote Robert Lambie:

    I’m an authorised 3M vehicle wrapper. 😀

    oh good… so can you now Authorise me to wrap a vehicle in 3M? :lol1:

  • Neil Speirs

    Member
    22 March 2011 at 09:58

    the post is from 2004

    quote David-Foster-:

    quote Bill.:

    Cheers, Dewi

    Hello Dewi, nice to see you here again, I remember you starting up in Leigh. I was in St Helens and never got to stop by for that brew 😀 Are you still there?

  • Robert Lambie

    Member
    22 March 2011 at 10:32
    quote Dave Rowland:

    quote Robert Lambie:

    I’m an authorised 3M vehicle wrapper. 😀

    oh good… so can you now Authorise me to wrap a vehicle in 3M? :lol1:

    Nop, I would imagine ONLY 3M’s official tutors/trainers etc will be able to do that. 😀

  • David-Foster-

    Member
    22 March 2011 at 10:38
    quote Neil Speirs:

    the post is from 2004

    quote David-Foster-:

    quote Bill.:

    Cheers, Dewi

    Hello Dewi, nice to see you here again, I remember you starting up in Leigh. I was in St Helens and never got to stop by for that brew 😀 Are you still there?

    😳 hahaha, who gets the reward for resurrecting an old thread! 7 years old, that has to be a record!!

  • Phill Fenton

    Member
    22 March 2011 at 10:47

    Why did you think I’d put my prices up? It was due to inflation :lol1: :lol1:

  • John Harding

    Member
    22 March 2011 at 11:31
    quote :

    Why did you think I’d put my prices up? It was due to inflation

    ohh that’s a disappointment – I thought you were going to include a copy of your book and I had my cheque book out an all 🙁

    John

  • Mike Grant

    Member
    22 March 2011 at 18:55
    quote Phill Fenton:

    Why did you think I’d put my prices up? It was due to inflation :lol1: :lol1:

    Car Tyres have also gone up due to inflation!

  • David Rowland

    Member
    22 March 2011 at 19:13
    quote John Harding:

    quote :

    I had my cheque book out an all 🙁

    John

    ** BREAKING NEWS : JOHN HARDING HAS FOUND HIS CHEQUE BOOK **

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