-
Attempting my 1st wrap on a smart car.
Hey guys,
Like the title say’s, I’m attempting to do my first wrap on my own smart car and I just wanted to ask a couple of question before starting.
I’m thinking of using Hexis’s hx2000 material, I did an initial wrapping course with these some time ago, not really hands on as that came in stage 2, but I learnt enough to try it on my own vehicle (I think), what do you think of this material or would another material be better?
I know the smart car panels come off easily, should I take these off and wrap them or attempt them while still attached?
Thanks
-
8 Replies
-
smart car panels are all plastic and squeegeeing pressure tends to make them concave which can cause small bubbles because you are not getting a full flat squeegee pressure due to the plastic arching under the squeegee. i say this only because i don’t and haven’t used an air escape vinyl on this type of car and found this to be a niggling issue when applying vinyl in "some areas". IF you remove the panel i would "imagine" that there would be even less stability in the panel, so maybe best keeping it on the vehicle.
i have not used this hexis media so i can’t give you fair comment on easy of use, performance etc. sorry.
also, if its a printed wrap, definitely don’t remove the panels or you will give yourself a nightmare trying to align the graphics.
personally i would use some solid colour wrap abnd have a practice with it before even attempting the live job. practice on bumper, mirrors etc rather than the flat areas. it will give you a more realistic idea of what is expected.
-
buy me a pint and I will give you a hand Dan when you are ready
-
Hi Rob
Thanks for the advice.
What vinyl would you recommend for this type of job? i’m used to using 751 but I understand this is not the best type to use when wrapping although it’s a cast.
-
What model year is it?
-
if its solid colour change/wrap the easiest that i have "tried" is the likes of Avery Supreme or 3M 1080, alternatively the new Oracal wrap media. I havent tried the Oracal air release version of that yet though but have their non-air release and its still a forgiving media.
that said, both Avery and 3M have a specific application process for their media and i would advise reading up on it or it can fail like any other media. both Avery & 3M stress this too, so worth doing research before just jumping in.thats not to say Hexis is not good, i just don’t have experience with it to be able to give fair comment. But i doubt very much their air release will be warrantied as only 3m & avery offer this.
-
Hi Daniel
I recently wrapped my own car (Audi A4) using Hexis 2000 series, white for everything apart from the roof which i used metallic black.
I found the vinyl really easy to use, it heats up & conforms nicely, with very few bubbles, which are easily removed. Did it about 2 months ago now & so far no problems it has all stayed in place.
hope this helps
-
as a guide Dan Avery Supreme is around 21.00 per metre and for colour change a great film. get some samples of Hexis and Avery. These are so much different from 751
-
Like Chris says Daniel get yourself some samples of different materials & have a play yourself. Like any other type of vinyl everyone has a favoured brand & the only way to be sure what’s best for you is to try yourself.
If you can’t get a usable size sample free then consider buying a metre.I would also take Chris up on his offer, very generous that. I would have wanted at least 2 pints :lol1: :lol1:
Log in to reply.
