Cutting round door handles. Cut on vehicle or template?

[Reza Faezi]

I HATE trimming on vehicles, but sometimes it just has to be done. Tried a few different ways but on a recent vehicle wrapping course, we were urged NEVER to trim on the vehicle and to put a bit of masking tape along where you need to trim and to trim on the masking tape, then after trimming pull the bit of masking tape out from behind the vinyl and apply whats left unstuck. Another reason is a customer came to us today to replicate what he currently had on this van. Upon closer inspection, some of the graphics had been trimmed on the van and you couldnt half tell!!! Where every piece of vinyl had been trimmed, there were nice big rust marks!!!! After seeing this i will not ever be trimming on any vehicle ever again!!!!! Hope this helps

[George Zerbino]

I’ve fitted loads of these actual ones for a local importer, always used the original graphics which are indeed cut around the handles.
If I had to make them I would make a template on the car and then cut them to the right shapes, this way you’ll get a perfect fit.

[Mark Nihotte]

Hi Jon

Have been cutting on the vehicle for years – make sure your blade is wet (lick it) and lightly drag (don’t press) freshly snapped blade…have a few practices and you will be surprised how easy it is.

Otherwise there is knifeless tape ( http://knifelesstechsystems.com/Products.aspx ) which we have been using for a short time – it works extremely well for long cuts and the easy way to make the perfect overlap 😀 😀

[Cheryl Smith]

quote Mark Nihotte:

Hi Jon

make sure your blade is wet (lick it)

surprised you still have a tongue Mark!!! 😕 😕

[Mark Nihotte]

Sometimes you just have to live dangerously 😕 😳

[Glen Mathers]

I always cut on the vehicle but i make sure i always use a fresh scalpel blade. I never tried licking it though 😀

[JonPinder]

Hi everyone,

Thanks for the replies, I’ve only just seen them as I didn’t get the email notifications for replies. I made a template in the end stuck it to the vehicle then ran the vinyl over the top taped it to the template then removed and cut off the vehicle. Then fitted the graphic, this method proved time consuming but got the job done.

I’ll be testing out some of the suggestions on here ready for next time.

Thanks again, really appreciate it. 🙂