vehicle wrapping and box van, advice needed please?

[David Hammond]

No you don’t need to use a cast wrap film for the sides of the box.

We’ve used MD5A in the past, and whilst some may disagree, a quality monomeric MD3, would probably suffice too (assuming you’re printing it) even cut vinyl, M7 would suffice, and the M7A will make fitting large panels much quicker and easier.

If it’s already wrapped, and you’re intending to go over the top, it may be worth using a blockout vinyl. Or just strip the thing.

Something like this – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7TQ8ninPGc&list=PLrl9cl8ANt03XCqOnzGfIuCE3fIiYin8h&index=2

[Gary Forbes]

Or just strip the thing.

exactly what I was thinking david. just strip the vinyl and then letter it?

[Jeff]

Agreed, stripping the vinyl would be the better option.
I would strip the vinyl and use polymeric digital vinyl with a gloss laminate.
has the cab been wrapped also?
have you to wrap the cab?

[Robert Lambie]

It really depends on what part of the vehicle you are working on.

* For anything on the sides and rear, I would use grey-back adhesive, Polymeric Digital vinyl with a Laminate.

* Unless there is actually complete coverage of the front cab unit, spoiler etc, then again, Polymeric digital and laminate would be what I would use.

* If the cab unit and spoiler have to be completely covered/wrapped, then I would use a digital wrapping cast and laminate for this area only.

* As for covering over the existing box wrap. Personally, I would rather remove the existing wrap, clean it and start fresh. Just explain that ANY imperfections of the existing wrap, from bubbles, scratches, chips, shrinkage, grime and in particular, “panel joins”, will ALL be emphasised and stand out more, once the new vinyl is fitted over the top and will only make your work look bad.
Put that in writing in an email, but state you are only advising on this, and will fit on top of you would prefer NOT to incur the removal charge.

Ask your fitter how much he wants for removing the vinyl first and add a “minimum” of 50% to that for yourself, and tell your customer there will be a “Graphics & Adhesive Removal Charge” at ex-amount£ per hour. Remember, all chemicals, paper towels, rags, bin bags etc for the removal will end up out of your costs unless your freelancer includes this in their price.

[Karen White]

i have done a few box vans over time and like you i have had to sub out the installations.
I have used image perfect and MD5 polymeric. no problems whatsoever.

best of luck 😃

[Leslie Anderson]

Davi, Jeff, Gary, Robert and Karen, thank you thank you! ❤

I went for Image Perfect polymeric digital in the end. There has been some delays with the vehicle, so I will let you know how I get on.

I think the fitter is reluctant to strip it and probably why he didn’t suggest this to me in the first place.
he says a full days labour. how long would something like this take to strip? just an approximate time?

[Robert Lambie]

There are a lot of things that can come into play when removing vinyl.
It really depends on what type of vinyl they are stripping, how long it has been on, whether it is being removed in cold weather or warm, indoors or out blah blah.

A good honest freelancer is hard to come by. and by good, I mean at their job!
I would ask for a fixed price for the removal, but remind them you are also paying them for the installation, so a competitive rate is expected.

[Leslie Anderson]

Thanks again Robert and everyone for your advice. 👍
I have emailed the fitter and outlined some of what has been said here, so I am hoping to hear back with more definitive prices.
i think I am going to have to make myself yet another job process sheet for reference when work like this comes in. 🤓

[Robert Lambie]

Job process sheets are a good thing, Leslie. They are things we should all have within the workplace. it’s a thing you can always chop and change to improve over time. very good for when you bring in staff and want them to follow your lead. 👍