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what vehicle wrapping tips can you share?
ok the laminating is sorted, I have read as much as possible as far as application is concerned but thought it would be worth asking if anyone had any useful tips, the job is wrapping 9 swb transits and I obviously need to get the first one right – don’t get me wrong i have done loads of vans but mostly cut vinyl and a couple of partial wraps so i’m by means a complete novice but i have never attempted a complete wrap so any pointers would be greatly appreciated
Cheers
Sean -
33 Replies
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quick tips
preparation is everything…
the vehicle MUST be spotless of dirt, grime and "polish" in particular.
once immaculate, it must be washed/wiped down using industrial meths or Isopropanol with lint free cloths or paper towels.fit the vehicle in a workshop at a comfortable temperature. (not cold)
fit in a well lit workshop.
knee pads and/or a cutting of carpet/cardboard to sit or lie (trust me its a long shift)
a "good" heat gun and hand held laser temp for the recessed areas.
good scalpel and plenty blades…
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the job is being fitted inside in well lit area allegedly – do you think temp gauge is essential – if so any recommendations?
cheers
Sean -
Sean,
temp gauge not essential. Transits luckily dont have any really deep recesses, if you have done partial wraps before without any comebacks, then you should be ok, but only time will tell.
I think its a bit late for tips and tricks though, wish you luck.😕
Peter
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My main tip would be if you’ve never done a vehicle wrap before – then don’t take on a contract to wrap 9 vehicles without prior experience. Your customer deserves more respect than this 🙄
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Phill has voiced similar concerns to my own.
My advice would have been to go on a course before attempting a wrap. Not particularly out of respect for my customer, but because the cost of putting right anything that goes wrong can be high, and wipe out your profit on the job plus a lot more.
Getting one wrong could be expensive enough, but nine?
I don’t think I would have taken that job on. 🙁
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Temp gauges are essential. 3M vinyl for example must be heated to 90 deg in recesses.
3M controltac IJ380 film requires 50 deg while applying & 80 deg post with 120 deg on overlaps….
Andrew
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quote Wardie:Temp gauges are essential. 3M vinyl for example must be heated to 90 deg in recesses.
3M controltac IJ380 film requires 50 deg while applying & 80 deg post with 120 deg on overlaps….
Andrew
well I did bring this up before, but I never did see a professional wrapper using one.
Peter
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Peter, as a 3M/Avery approved applicator, if I didn’t use one then it would void the warranty. 😳
Andrew
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quote Wardie:Peter, as a 3M/Avery approved applicator, if I didn’t use one then it would void the warranty. 😳
Andrew
Not being funny but how would you proved you used one?
For what its worth I am grafityp approved
Peter
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The heating issue seems logical, but I was never told to do it to any set temperatures. Mind you, wrapping was in its infancy then.
As for taking on 9 vans as a first wrapping job: brave. 😮
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:lol1: Don’t think I could prove it, but on the paper work it will say who applied what etc…… so get too many come backs & I would be looking for a new job.
Andrew
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Sean, steep learning curve you are on….but go guy, be brave. Id get another pair of hands to help if it was your first job, be helpful if they knew what to do when it comes to areas like the front wings and top corners. I rather hope you have at least SEEN this being done before so you at least have a clue….whats the worst that can happen??…its only vinyl after all.
someone once said to me….to hear is to forget…to see is to remember…..to do is to understand……..go get your hands dirty and let us all know how it goes.
GOOD LUCK!
remember that vinyl knows if you are scared of it. -
quote Cheryl Smith:someone once said to me….to hear is to forget…to see is to remember…..to do is to understand……..go get your hands dirty and let us all know how it goes.Cheryl, never a truer word said!!!
good luck Sean!
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I personally would say using a temp gauge is a must. i haven’t always though but as of a couple of years ago i have. I think they are particularly important if you are starting out or if you have staff doing the wrap work.
what makes me "more" inclined to use one is when i just carry on heating the likes of recessed areas without using the temp gauge, then i think, better just check this… point the gauge at the area and its nowhere close to the required heat. (and thats not because of the time its took to lift the gauge) guessing is fine if your experienced and comfortable in doing so. but i wouldn’t advise it. for the sake of spending £40-£100 on a good gauge to make sure your doing it right… i dont see the problem.
staff in particular arent going to worry as much as we will heating the vinyl… they will guess and move on. give them a gauge and get it done correct. teach them to use one and always use one and they will!
one thing for sure, if you have a failure and you blame the vinyl supplier and they come out to have a look at the work and you cant tell them or show them the guage you used, your onto plums… -
I have never even heard of a temperature guage for fitting wrap until this post….the guy who showed us how to do it didnt use one either…but that was about 7 years ago…times have changed.
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I would also add that you rarely see the vinyl manufacturers stating heating temps in their literature or even mentioning it needs to be done. If you ask me, they should all be making this very clear as the number of wraps you see with the recesses popping out is frightening.
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quote jonm01:I would also add that you rarely see the vinyl manufacturers stating heating temps in their literature or even mentioning it needs to be done.
Not so sure about that mate… if you ask for a vehicle wrap vinyls application guide/procedure, i would bet it stipulates the recessed areas should be heated to a certain temperature.
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only just got in to see all your replies, i appreciate everyones opinion, the job is starting tomorrow and i have someone to help – if the first van turns out to be a complete nightmare i have no problem holding my hands up and possibly subbing it out, i have no intention of taking the p*ss out of my customer – if the job isnt right i dont get paid which is why i asked for any helpful tips.
thanks again i will let you all know how it goes.cheers
Sean -
Good luck Sean.
Let us know how you get on.
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Scan from a 3m Bulletin for their IJ380 film.
Andrew
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Good luck 😀
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Who sells those hand rollers?
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Got mine from 3M. Your thumb will be just as good…. just a bit faster with the roller & saves your thumb from getting burnt! 😛
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Wardie…
do you find you can get wrinkles/folds in the vinyl easier using the wheel as opposed to your finger "if" you go to quick or wrong angle?
also, how does the wheel come with the corners of sprinter recesses? does it manage fine or do you end up using your thumb anyway?if it works well, i think the wheel is the way forward for these areas. i know my fingers ache doing the likes of a sprinter and it is only a matter of time before the wrapper is off the job due to arthritis?
cheers for any feed back mate…
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The wheel makes light work of the recesses. Not had an issue with wrinkles or creases. You do have to watch the angle of the wheel, or might track offline. I have 3 wheel sizes, so getting into tight corners isn’t too much of a problem. I still use the odd finger/thumb now & again. My heat gun has a LCD temp read out & can set the temp anywhere from 1 to 600 deg.
Been wrapping trains too date with the odd Van here & there, so the wheels don’t see that much action.But if your wrapping mainly vans I would recommend giving the wheels a go.
Andrew
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thanks mate, i think ill buy some tommorrow as i have two sprinters to wrap later next week. so good time to give them a go!
where did you buy them and what do they cost?
im guessing wm smith would sell these? -
Well I no longer work for myself….Sold my soul to the Devil & work as a fitter for SSDM (Boo hisss I hear you say). So I get all my gear from Head office or in the case of the wheels, they were given to me by 3M. I’m sure they are out there….. mmmm Business opportunity?? 😎
Andrew
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quote Wardie:Sold my soul to the Devil & work as a fitter for SSDM (Boo hisss I hear you say)
:lol1: :lol1: :lol1:
we have done a few contracts were SSDM provided all the graphics… so no hissing here… :lol1: :lol1:ill try wm smith in the morning, i need to give them a buzz anyway…
cheers wardie…
😀 -
Rob.
SSDM supply quite a few of the graphics we fit as well, thats if they’ve got them in stock – dispatched them as promised or it’s friday afternoon.
Customer satisfaction doesn’t seem their strong point.Wardie,
Give my regards to David Tranter if you see him
Phil
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I’m based at home, but work all over the Country. I was in the factory a few weeks back. In their defense SSDM run a massive operation. The amount of kits they turn out is amazing… The Train contracts alone would keep most sign makers busy for a good few years. I’m just happy not to be the one weeding & taping it all.
Andrew
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So what sort of machines do they have? Is there a machine for applying app paper to 4ft+ stuff?
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applying application tape with two folk at 4ft wide is not hard…
applying with a simple laminator is even easier.
we have a pretty good laminator and when we are doing huge truck graphics in multiples running them through a laminator to apply the application tape is very easy.
you can then go up the scale to the likes of the rollsroller for applying application tape… -
interesting reading all the comments on the do’s and dont’s of wrapping
i started out for myself as a signwriter 27 years ago then about 15 years ago moved into vinyl we are being asked more often about wrapping and up until now declined however one of my customers has offered me the chance to wrap three quarters the way up the cab on 40 odd volvo trucks
have ordered new 4ft wide printer and new laminator going on 2 day course for wrapping in jan. looking forward to learning something new but terrified about the size of the job.
should i decline the offer until i have done a few smaller jobswhat’s the best course to go on?
thanks
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