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My first attempt at wrapping a VW Beetle.
The job’s moved on a lot further than when the pics were taken. I’ve had many problems with this but I think it’s coming along ok now for a novice.
Had to tackle it all on me todd so it’s taking along time.
Any crits welcome and appreciated.Also included a few pics of the shop as well.
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97 Replies
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In the first pic of the wheel arch the vinyl went t!ts up so has been replaced.
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is that a solid colour wrap karl?
what vinyl did you use?priced a beetle before, havent done want and not really wanting to do one…
i bet they are a bit of a bugger to do? 😉 :lol1:ill away and have another wee look now…
oh and get your weeds pulled from outside your shop. 😉 :lol1:
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tough car to wrap Karl…well done.
john
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whats going on there karl… i thought u came out of the signage game?!
anyway… vw coming on just fine.. quite like that one mate
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Nice one Karl.
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Superb job, what vinyl did you use?
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Well done Karl – and very brave taking on a car that has so many compound curves.
I like the shop front too – very colourful. 😀
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Tough job well done, nothing like jumping in at the deep end…………..
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Thanks for the comments guys. No Rob it’s not a solid colour. It blends from the bottom into white. I can’t say what colour the bottom half is. In certain light it looks like a brown, and in daylight a grayish green. The pics were taken on my mobile phone so don’t really give it justice.
I used Grafiwrap vinyl and laminate. I’m really amazed at this wrap vinyl. I didn’t expect it to stay down on the back bumper or even go into the recess but it was easier than I thought.
The weeds outside the shop Rob…….Been removed and weedkiller put down a few times but the bnggers keep coming back.
One of the major problems I’ve had is the cutting in the gap between the arches and the body. It’s really tight and difficult to get the cut straight. Also the customer has been around all the time and has decided to tell me how to wrap and complained everytime i’ve sat down. I’ve sat down to try and think the best way round a problem and also to try and for see any other problems that may occur. A couple of days I’ve started working on it at about 10am and not stopped till midnight. That’s not stopped the client complaining that it’s not finished. Maybe it has gone well overtime and yes I may have bitten off a bit more than I can chew but the only way to learn I belive is to give it a go and do my best.
Sorry to sound raggy but I’m a pit put out at the grief I’ve had off the client since the job started. -
tell them you want an 18 oz sirloin steak medium to well done, But your not going to tell them how long it takes to cook and how best to cook it. but you will complain if it takes any longer than 3 minutes 😀
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Nice one Ian. I felt like giving him the vinyl a few times and telling him to put the fkker on yourself! 👿
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quote Karl Williams:Nice one Ian. I felt like giving him the vinyl a few times and telling him to put the fkker on yourself! 👿
karl you’ve already had one heart attack, don’t give yourself another one
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quote Ian Johnston:quote Karl Williams:Nice one Ian. I felt like giving him the vinyl a few times and telling him to put the fkker on yourself! 👿
karl you’ve already had one heart attack, don’t give yourself another one
Ian….I think I’ve had 10 more on this and developed 2 brain tumors mate!! 😀 😀 🙁 😉
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You could try this on the shop 😀 😀
That you sorted now??…..Carry on! 😀 😀
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quote Harry Cleary:You could try this on the shop 😀 😀
That you sorted now??…..Carry on! 😀 😀10 out of 10 for effort Harry. But a bit to gay for my liking mate. 😕 😀 😀
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Just a bit of advice needed. If you were doing a car like this would you do the entire side of the car including the arches in one piece or tackle it by doing the arches in seperate panels?
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ARCHES SEPERATE
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quote Ian Johnston:ARCHES SEPERATE
I take it you’ve done a few Ian?
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And you were supposed to be kicking back for an easy life……….. :lol1:
Bitten off more than you can chew………….glad it worked out well and you didn’t choke 😛
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quote Graeme Harrold:And you were supposed to be kicking back for an easy life……….. :lol1:
Lets put it this way Graeme. Yes I was told before I started the job by Rob it was a difficult one. And yes I’ve practiced many times with samples over the past couple of years on panels of various vehicles. Many failed and many came out well. But at the end of the day I want to perfect this side of the game. I may stress out now and ask daft questions but eventually I’ll get it right everytime and find it easier and do it quicker. It’s not just about earning potential big money for me, it’s about creating and installing a job that everyone’s proud of, and then saying it was worth all the crap in the early days. I just want to be the best I can be.
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quote Karl Williams:quote Ian Johnston:ARCHES SEPERATE
I take it you’ve done a few Ian?
If there is a place to join it, and it looks like it’s going to be a bast*£&d join it. :lol1: it’s a lot handier too do by yourself , especially when it’s only a fade and not a pattern, if it had a tile effect or lines running through it then i would do it as one piece
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quote Ian Johnston:quote Karl Williams:quote Ian Johnston:ARCHES SEPERATE
I take it you’ve done a few Ian?
If there is a place to join it, and it looks like it’s going to be a bast*£&d join it. :lol1: it’s a lot handier too do by yourself , especially when it’s only a fade and not a pattern, if it had a tile effect or lines running through it then i would do it as one piece
Have you any samples you can show me? This goes to anyone who’s done one if possible.
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quote Karl Williams:Also the customer has been around all the time and has decided to tell me how to wrap and complained everytime i’ve sat down.
Nothing worse than a "Know it all" customer who is determined to tell you how to do the job.
I admire your patience Karl – I’d have probably shoved the vinyl up his @rse by now If I was in your shoes 😕
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When I started the job Phill I told myeslf "Right….Be patient with the job, be patient with myself, keep my head down and just get on with it." A few times I was at my wits end but just kept saying carry on…don’t lose the plot.
One factor was not to be afraid of what your letting yourself in for. I’m back there tomorrow to finish it off so with a bit of luck I’ll post the finished job on here and not be in the local A&E after developing epilepsy. 😉 -
I’m driving a beetle myself.
I have wrapped it too, but as Ian said, the arches where done separate.
Mine had solid vinyl on the front, but printed vinyl on the rear (there has to be a thread with it on the forum somewhere).When I started the project, I was a bit scared about the curves too,
but I have to say that it was easier than expected. The front and back bumpers are the most complex.
I have to admit that i patched the rear numberplate recess because I wasn’t completely confident it would stay there over time. -
quote Benno:I’m driving a beetle myself.
(there has to be a thread with it on the forum somewhere).https://www.uksignboards.com/viewtopic.p … highlight=
😀
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quote Karl Williams:I’ll post the finished job on here and not be in the local A&E after developing epilepsy. 😉
I bought our boys a goldfish…but it turned out it was epileptic……funny thing though…….it was fine when it was back in the bowl 😮 😀
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Well it’s now 4pm in the afternoon, and I’ve got this image in my head of Karl’s customer walking funny with vinyl sticking out his backside 😕
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quote Phill:Well it’s now 4pm in the afternoon, and I’ve got this image in my head of Karl’s customer walking funny with vinyl sticking out his backside 😕
:rofl: :rofl::rofl:
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:rofl: :rofl: Thanks Phill I got that image too now…. 🙄
Thanks Ian 😉
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quote Phill:Well it’s now 4pm in the afternoon, and I’ve got this image in my head of Karl’s customer walking funny with vinyl sticking out his backside 😕
It’s on it’s way mate!
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The car will be finished tomorrow. Then my accommodation at the local asylum will begin! 🙄 😛 😮 😛 😛 🙄 😛 😮 :Doh……I want to be a woman!
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quote Karl Williams::Doh……I want to be a woman!oh no yeh dont…………………. :no1:
nik
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quote Nicola McIntosh:quote Karl Williams::Doh……I want to be a woman!
oh no yeh dont…………………. :no1:
nik
beginning to feel like one…it’s been my time of the month for a very long time now! 😳 😀 😀
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quote Karl Williams:it’s been my time of the month for a very long time now! 😳 😀 😀
just remember to buy the right pads and you’ll be fine 😉
nik
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quote Nicola McIntosh:quote Karl Williams:it’s been my time of the month for a very long time now! 😳 😀 😀
just remember to buy the right pads and you’ll be fine 😉
nik
I’ve got one……a fr!ggin crash pad! 😉
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oh you dont want to use that…..i was suggesting knee pads 😀
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Just a few bits left to tweek tomorrow. I wanted to be there earlier on in the day but after one thing and another couldn’t get there till about 4.
Anyway I’ve put some pics on of how it’s going so any advice, compliments or crits appreciated.
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Karl is that contra vision on the back window ? looking good
Lynn
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quote Lynn:Karl is that contra vision on the back window ? looking good
Lynn
Yes Lynn…and it’s a bngger to fit.
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thats very tidy there Karl… could be a good one to put in ur portfolio too
I know why its taking you so long, your reading the wrapping section of "How to create a sign making business from scratch" by Phill Fenton?
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quote Dave Rowland:thats very tidy there Karl… could be a good one to put in ur portfolio too
I know why its taking you so long, your reading the wrapping section of “How to create a sign making business from scratch” by Phill Fenton?
I’m sure if I’d read that Mr. Rowland I’d have done it in 10 minutes instead of 10 weeks 😉
Thanks for the compliment mate. 😉 -
I like that Karl, very professional and the attention to detail is excellent. Hope the customer is happy with it.
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quote Jason Davies:I like that Karl, very professional and the attention to detail is excellent. Hope the customer is happy with it.
Thanks for that Jason. Not seen much of him today. He popped out when the front lights were going in but that’s all I’ve seen of him.
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Admit it Karl, he’s in the trunk isn’t he!!! 😮
Nice finish btw
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quote Harry Cleary:Admit it Karl, he’s in the trunk isn’t he!!! 😮
Nice finish btw
I always wait for your replies mate……..they have a habit of bringing a tear to my eyes 😉 Cheers.
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Glad you finally got it completed Karl. Looks good to me :thumbup2:
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quote Phill:Glad you finally got it completed Karl. Looks good to me :thumbup2:
Cheers Phill. Hopefully I’ll get some outdoor pics tomorrow so you can see the fade in the print. The pics taken tonight don’t really do it justice.
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Looks really good from those pics Karl 😀
realistically….how long do you think it would take to do another one?
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Thanks Glenn. I don’t know mate. All I can say is a dam sight faster than this. A great deal of work goes not just into the fitting but but also the trimming and getting the vinyl behind the rubbers in the back side windows. You can’t get a squeegee behind the top parts very well. Also the rubber trim on the drivers and passenger door is a real g!t to fit back on.
That said I think 3 days and I’d stand a good chance. -
Fantastic job mate, nice bit of craftsmanship. Might have taken you a while, but at least you can be proud of it :lol1:
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I wouldn’t have done it for a million dollars.
Sorry the client was tricky.
Nice work, Karl.
Love….Jill
PS
What are £100 Van Signs? -
Thanks for that Graeme. I am actually quite proud of it mate, I feel like I’ve achieved something and now I’ve got more confident with wrapping. I’ll still go on a wrap course at some stage as by no means do I think I know it all because I’ve done one car.
Thanks Jill.
£100 van signs…….That’s something that’s coming off the window very soon. -
quote Karl Williams:I’ll still go on a wrap course at some stage as by no means do I think I know it all because I’ve done one car.
When, need to one too
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quote Graeme Harrold:quote Karl Williams:I’ll still go on a wrap course at some stage as by no means do I think I know it all because I’ve done one car.
When, need to one too
That depends if Cheryl will let me use her credit card. (Again 😀 😀 😉 😳 ) Why, are you interested in going as a pair? (Not a couple…I’m not like that……Honest. 😳 )
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Just sent her a text message……to scared to ask. Fingers crossed! 😕 😕 😕 (>) (>) (>) (chat.) (chat.)
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quote Karl Williams:quote Graeme Harrold:quote Karl Williams:I’ll still go on a wrap course at some stage as by no means do I think I know it all because I’ve done one car.
When, need to one too
That depends if Cheryl will let me use her credit card. (Again 😀 😀 😉 😳 ) Why, are you interested in going as a pair? (Not a couple…I’m not like that……Honest. 😳 )
Looking at Jan 2010………..
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More like Jan 3010 if she tells me to Boll@x. 😀 😀 😀
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She’s taking her time typing in her phone No! 🙁 🙁
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Still waiting. What is it about a woman that likes to make a man sweat and beg?
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A BIG NO! 😥 😥 😥
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The car is now finished. I have spent way to long on this and yes I’ve found it really difficult, but I am proud of the end result. As Jason said earlier in the thread I have put a great deal of time into attention to detail. I have had a few of my mates around to look at the car and all they can say is it looks great and the finish is also great. The customer though can only put the job down as he has since I first started it. Today one of the clients mates took a squeegee from my tool box and decided to pr@t around in the wheel arch. Bear in mind the idiot has no experience whatsoever in sign making or wrapping. This for me was the final straw but I still kept my cool and to be honest I don’t know how I did. I have had no thanks for this job only belittlement all the way through. After all the time and effort put in to the job and what I think is a dam good job I’ve left the job feeling like sh!t and totally demoralised. I just can’t understand why when you do your best in this world why when you really put yourself out for someone you get no thanks only grief. I’ve done work for this guy now for nearly a year and changed his image and made his business look the muts nuts compared to his previouse sign guy yet I’m the one who’s cr@p I just can’t work it out. Sorry to ramble I’m just so pissssed off angry.
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Bad news innit Karl?
The trouble is that if you need his business, then you have to play by his rules.
On the other hand, if you can mange without him, then you have the option to tell him to either treat you with a bit of respect, or to fek off and find another signmaker.
Your call, and yours only, I’m afraid. 🙁
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Karl,
If the boot was on the other foot, would you be any different?
I’m just trying to be devils advocate here but you’ve admitted to the job taking way longer than you thought, you’ve admitted to mistakes along the way
If you were in a restaurant and the meal took way too long to come and there were mistakes with each course would you pay compliments to the chef at the end of the meal?
You’ve obviously put your heart and soul into this one but if I were you I’d just take a step back and put it down to experience
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Don’t let clients prat around in or near your workshop, let alone get in your toolbox Karl. Tell them Health and Safety won’t allow them in there without an hours induction and training. Ask them to wait outside.
Yes, you spent too long, but how much did you learn? If they have paid you, they paid to train you and that can be good or bad. If they get a great job they should be happy. If they didn’t, they have a right to complain and get it sorted.
Your mates will always tell you what you want to hear Karl. Perhaps they were trying to keep your spirits up a bit. Knowing you as I do Karl, I know you would move heaven and earth to get the customer happy even to the detriment of your own well being. Let him have his say and see if in reality, you might need to tidy up the odd thing, and then see how you feel. As john has said, at the end of the day, you need to assess the clients present and future worth to see how you proceed. I know you would have done the best job you can. So do you. If you have been doing work for hin for a year now, he must be happy otherwise he would have gone elsewhere.Don’t take his comments personally and move to the next project. I bet he will be back for more work from you.
Peter
Peter
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I hear what your saying. And maybe yesterday I felt like i’d had a kick in the balls…one that was a bit hard to take. At the end of the day the job is a good one. I’ve been in this game long enough to know a good job from a bad one. If a apart of the job went wrong then I put it right which I have. Honestly the car is immaculate. Will I do the next one….I’m not sure at the moment. All I can say is the next job I do will be better. But sometimes no matter how good a job is some customers are never happy. I’m just going to take this one on the chin and carry on. Am I proud of the job I’ve done? Yes….I am.
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Some customers are never satisfied Karl. Sometimes I wonder if it’s just a ploy on their part to try and screw you on price 😕
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Well, I couldn’t just sit here and dwell on the past few days and get wound up anymore, so I went to see the guy…put the cards on the table and here’s what happened. He’s admitted it’s a very good result.A couple of his mates have been around today to see the car one of which is a sprayer. They have both told him the jobs top notch. The sprayer has also told him it’s turned out well amongst other things I can’t say on here but in my favour. There was one fault under the car that I’d forgotten to trim off but that’s done now.
In reality the abuse I’ve had was unwarranted. I’m happy, and honestly I don’t leave a job till I’m happy with it. -
really pleased to hear it Karl.. well done sir, give yourself a pat on the back!
i never attempted a wrap but my colleagues have and had no training, they do exceptionally well to be honest and have taken on some hard challenges.
I understand when it comes to satisfaction, if I was the customer I would be examining the job carefully to make sure i got my money’s worth, a wrap which normally costs in the region of £1 to 2K, well thats a quite a bit of money to fling on a car, especially if your car is your pride and joy.
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Thanks for that Dave. The good thing is I’ve got more business out of it not just with this guy but 2 others. John said earlier to weigh up whether to stop doing business with the guy if I could without being bothered about losing a customer like this. Truth is I can’t. He does spend good money. So after what JC said I decided to take the bull by the horns and go see him. Thanks for that bit of advice John. 😉
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Final Pics.
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Cant fault that Karl,
Your customer should have no complaintsPeter
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Looks great Karl, you should be proud of yourself. I can’t see any reason why the guy should complain, he’s got himself some good advertising and I don’t understand why customers moan at the cost.
quote Dave Rowland:I understand when it comes to satisfaction, if I was the customer I would be examining the job carefully to make sure i got my money’s worth, a wrap which normally costs in the region of £1 to 2K, well that’s a quite a bit of money to fling on a car, especially if your car is your pride and joy.I agree Dave but I wonder how many people examine their telephone directory Ad with such vigor, a wrap is cheap compared to Yellow Pages Ad’s and he’s going to get at least 3 years advertising I guess if not more and it’s working 24 hours a day.
Customers huh, who’d av em?:-?
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quote Peter Normington:Cant fault that Karl,
Your customer should have no complaintsPeter
Ditto Peter. Glad to see the back of the thing. 😀
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Now comes the next 2 vehicles for the guy. 1 more Beetle and a ford transit connect.The next Beetle should be done in a lot less time now I know the car better. Here goes nothing! 🙄 🙄 🙄 😉
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Well don’t come crying to me when it all goes t1ts up again 🙄 :lol1:
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quote Phill:Well don’t come crying to me when it all goes t1ts up again 🙄 :lol1:
I already am mate. (<( (<( (puppy-eyes) (puppy-eyes) :doh: :baby:
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VW = Valiant Williams? 😀
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I see there are no close up pictures Karl :lol1: :lol1:
Looks good and I am sure the customer is happy now it’s done. He must be if you are doing another 2 for him but as has been said already if you quoted a certain amount of time and then the job dragged on because you were having problems I can understand why the customer got upset.
Neiil, I am sure a lot of people examine their yellow pages adds, in fact I know one guy who hasn’t paid them anything in about 3 years because they keep making mistakes.
The other thing is that I don’t think everyone looks at it the same way. I am sure a lot of people will say this wrap has cost me twice what I spend in yellow pages so I want an excellent job and it better make me some money. They don’t appreciate that this will last at least 3 years where they will have to spend the same amount if not more on yellow pages next year and the year after. -
That’s quite correct Martin. But the car isn’t due to go on the road till tomorrow. Without making excuses yes it took too long and tempers flared a few times but all the problems have now been put to bed. It’s been a real education though and that’s really why I chucked myself in at the deep end.
We all have to learn don’t we? 😉 -
Maybe you should consider getting some wrap fitters to do the next jobs.
You won’t make as much money from it but you will spend the time you save doing other work?
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Karl, that is a great job. You should be proud of your work there. Will be interesting in seeing what time you take to do the next one
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quote Chris Windebank:Karl, that is a great job. You should be proud of your work there. Will be interesting in seeing what time you take to do the next one
Yeah Chris………It would. 😳 😕 😉
Cheers mate. -
Jon, See what you mean but I want to crack this myself. I feel alot more confident now for the next one.
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well done Mr Williams, God loves a trier… now that you have got this past you, take it bloody easier or it will be god telling you himself mate! 😕 :lol1:
seriously though, good for you for sticking in there mate, the job looks very good.
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Why thank you Mr. Lambie.
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[quote="Robert Lambie"]well done Mr Williams, God loves a trier…
He doesn’t love all triers, I’m proof of that… 😳 😳
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quote Martin:quote Robert Lambie:well done Mr Williams, God loves a trier…
He doesn’t love all triers, I’m proof of that… 😳 😳
agreed
but the devil takes care of his own….😀
Peter
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Why are we going all religious?
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Glad it seems to be working out Karl. I think you did the right thing. Now everyone is happy and you can move on to the next project.
Peter
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Thanks Pete 😉
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um this is 10pages long now for a members work thread.lol
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And the next one’s being printed now. I think it’s one of those topis mate that most who want to start wrapping want to read to get an insight. I wish it was someone elses thread before I did the car. I’m not using grafiwrap on this one. I’m having a go with Mactac JT5529p this time.
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i had a sample of the bubble free variation of that mactac, staff loved it and printed well
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No good for recesses though mate or areas where the film needs stretching. I’ve been told the glue thins out giving less adhesion.
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Karl, if you have wrapped one vehicle and did a good job of it and expect the next vehicles to go much quicker because of what you have learnt from the first one why change the vinyl you are using ? Would it not be better to stick with the same vinyl now you have a feel for it and then experiment with different vinyls latter when you have a bit more time and could possibly use your own vehicle to test them out.
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Martin,
the Vinyl that turned up was a bad batch so has been returned. I’ve had to go elsewhere as I needed to start printing. In Grafitypes defence they did come to me and collect the vinyl and offer to exchange but I had to make sure I had material here to start the job. This has also backfired now as the new material prints a totally different colour. So it’s back on the phone to them monday morning. I don’t know…..you do the best you can do to ensure everthing goes right and it still comes back to kick you in the kn@ckers.
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