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  • Wrapping directly onto fiberglass

    Posted by AndyRigby on 15 February 2009 at 13:05

    Hi guys,

    I will be wrapping my brothers new race car next week. Its a Lotus Exige and his new body shell is not painted.

    Its supplied in gelcoated fiberglass. We spent last week smoothing it out, now like glass all over but obviously not painted.

    Will I have any problems wrapping in Oracal 870 directly onto the fiberglass?

    Cheers Andy

    AndyRigby replied 16 years, 8 months ago 5 Members · 7 Replies
  • 7 Replies
  • Luke s Bremner

    Member
    15 February 2009 at 18:46

    Hello Andy,

    I cant see you having any problems, I would just make sure you use a vehicle wrapping vinyl, its worth spending the money on, Im not sure what grade this vinyl is that you are looking at. You want a soft flexable vinyl you can shape and pull allso heat it up and stay in the recess. The other thing is removing, if you use a cheaper vinyl you will have problems removing. Normaly cheaper vinyl not made for this will when removing will leave the glue and take the skin off your finger, I have had this alot. Make sure you cleann all the wax off the fiberglass before you start.

  • Jason.Price

    Member
    15 February 2009 at 18:55

    hi andy

    like luke says, a good quality vinyl is very important, i wrap both fibreglass and carbon fibre race cars, unless you use a quality cast, things will just pop back out in a very short space of time.

    and loads of heat once it is all in place!!!

    j

  • AndyRigby

    Member
    15 February 2009 at 21:44

    Thanks guys, i’ve done all his sponsors lettering in the past but not a wrap yet. Seen the DVD’s and have practiced with crap vinyl on my work van with good results.

    Been told that Oracal 870 is a good choice. It comes in 1520mm widths. £15.20 a meter.

    BTW base colour of choice is matt white

    Can anyone confirm the oracal 870 is any good? Or recommend another choice?

    Thanks Andy

  • Chris Wool

    Member
    15 February 2009 at 22:10
    quote :

    We spent last week smoothing it out, now like glass all over but obviously not painted.

    how was this done if you have just flattened it with wet and dry you will have problems with the film not sticking.
    if you have buffed the gel coat back to a gloss then it will be ok.

    mat white will not clean well

  • AndyRigby

    Member
    15 February 2009 at 22:40

    Hi sorry should have been more detailed. I prepped it to 2200 grit, then machine polished to 6 micron. It is buffed to gloss ready for application.

    I did not know that matt white was hard to clean 🙁

  • Shane Drew

    Member
    15 February 2009 at 22:44
    quote Chris Wool:

    mat white will not clean well

    good advice….

    970 is better though http://www.orafol.com/en/support/digita … -cast.html

  • AndyRigby

    Member
    16 February 2009 at 08:52

    Thanks guys. Whats the best supplier for Oracal 970 in the UK? My local vinyl supplier does not stock this.

    Thanks Andy

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