what is the best wrapping vinyl to use?

[Andy Gorman]

Rob did an excellent demo on fitting vinyl to recesses a while back. I urge you to read it. It’s the one with a sun type logo. Vitos are pretty challenging; whatever you do, don’t use kpmf (VWS) on a vito as the recesses are just too deep for the vinyl to stay in.

[Robert Lambie]

hi mate
G’s right.. i have done a demo on this sort of wrap in demo section.
when it comes to deep recesses i would advise to look at a permanant adhesive vinyl rather than a removable like KPMF,
im not saying that removable films cant be used. but for deep sharp recesses i get peice of mind on a permanant.
the vinyl i use in that demo is MACfleet vehicle wrap. its not the easiest to apply but once its on, its on… i see the van in the demo every couple of days and its in perfect condition. not even a sign of it pulling back… i make a point of checking jobs like this from time to time.

[Paul Goodwin]

Rob would this be the same type to use on a VW Transporter in the deep resesses? as i did one the other week, using 751 and it was cleaned very well and blasted with a lot of heat, but i have since found out that it is slightly pulling away now in places 🙁

wasn’t a large logo but it was large text specialy where the two panels meet in the middle.

Thanks

Paul

[Robert Lambie]

hi paul
i would say its more the vinyl this time mate. 751 is a calander vinyl & although very comformable for that type of vinyl, i think you could give yourself some headaches stretching into those types of areas rather than in and out, or crossing, slitting & patching.
if you have already done like you say. i would advise using a sharp scalpel or stanley blade and “very lightly” slit the vinyl at the base of the valley both sides. what should happen is it will leave some thin white lines & it will stop any further pulling out… any further shrinkage of the vinyl will only cause those thin white lines to increase on width but not by much and is acceptable on the eye.
if however the vinyl is pulling out bad, i would again do the same but this time remove the bit of vinyl at the base of the valley and insert a new bit and trim “gently” 😉
i have seen many vinyl jobs trimmed in a valley, only to leave deep cuts in the paintwork that in a few months, leave rust lines that progress into a disaster.

[Paul Goodwin]

Thanks Rob.

on a parallell note i have seen a few vans in my area where the fitter has left the valley un-vinyled altogether, ie; the logo/text is cut in at the high spot just b4 the valley ( make anysense? ) is this done once fitted and very carefully with a knife or is it done on the pc b4 cutting? if the latter i would think thats a bit touch and go as no software is 100% to scale.

If it doesn’t make sense i’ll grab a piccy next time i see one and post it up.

Thanks again

Paul

[Robert Lambie]

hi paul
yes it does make sense.
its a sorta cheat way around it and doesnt look as good as an inlay. but some seem to accept it.
its not done using software, they basicaly apply as normal bridging all the recesses. remove the app tape and run a blade around the high part of the valley, but not actualy trimming onto the van. so not chance of cutting into paint work. probably the quickest way to apply this sorta work.. but still (in my opinion) looks crap :lol1: :lol1: :lol1: 😉

[Paul Goodwin]

got to admit i wasn’t overkeen on it when i saw it but hey if the customer goes for it 🙂

i’ll do some praccy on that on my van when i have some free time.

Thanks Rob.

p.s coming up your way end of oct to Rods for a few days, put kettle on 🙂