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Wrapping Tubes – Overlap, But or Gap?
Afternnon guys
I’ve spent the morning cleaning my Ariel Atom first time in 6 months or so!
The suspension struts on my car are made up of tubes of various diameters. Some of the tubes have suffered from stone chip damage so I’m thinking it might be a good idea to wrap them with an appropriate vinyl. Some of the tubes are in very good condition but I might wrap these with a protective vinyl to keep them that way.
So, a couple of questions.
1. Should I choose a standard or a wrapping vinyl?
2. What clear protective vinyl would be best suited?
3. Should I cut the vinyl to allow for an overlap, but up edge to edge or a gap between the cut edges?
4. When applying a clear protective vinyl, what’s the best way to avoid that ‘glassing/mirror’ effect?Any other tips?
Cheers
John
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9 Replies
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fair weather pilot 😉
i think that you are on about the top and btm arms which i think are aero tubes.
if so i like them half wrapped around the leading edge with mat black vinyl.to stop the clear silvering in some circumstances float on.
enjoy anyway we should be at stonleigh not here.
chris
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I’ve driven my Atom to work and back everyday for at least the last year – even in the snow & ice!!!
Yes, the top & bottom arms but I might do the others too.
Do you use a standard vinyl or one designed for wrapping as it maybe be more conformable?To float on do you use water with a spot of baby shampoo in? I seem to remember reading that somewhere 😀 How does the fluid dry out trapped beneath vinyl?
I might do a track day on Monday, getting a bit old in the teeth to be mixing it with all the hot rod youngsters!
John
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i would use a standard 5-7 year mat vinyl and change as required as apposed to expensive stuff that may not last any longer.
float on soapy water yes it dries out just fine.
where is the track day, i hope to do one as soon as i get the exhaust down to 98db.
chris
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John,
stone chip protection is applied wet, johnsons baby shampoo in water is fine.
A good squeegee will remove all the fluid, rounded corners are desirable.
Chris mentioned mat black, but hexis to a textured mat black that may be an option, it is normally used on window surrounds etc, but is probably as godd as stone chip protection.Peter
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Thanks for the replies.
I’ll probably get some of the Hexis car-protect vinyl for starters, might be able to sell some kits to other owners!
Peter, the Hexis black textured vinyl – do you know which it is? I’ve had a scan through the Hexis catalogue but can’t find it! This might be useful to cover the already chipped paintwork.
Cheers
John -
john
its af8123 and af8124
its in the same swatch sheet as the stone chip, "specialty vinyls"Peter
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quote John Cooper:I’ve driven my Atom to work and back everyday for at least the last year – even in the snow & ice!!!Yes, the top & bottom arms but I might do the others too.
Do you use a standard vinyl or one designed for wrapping as it maybe be more conformable?To float on do you use water with a spot of baby shampoo in? I seem to remember reading that somewhere 😀 How does the fluid dry out trapped beneath vinyl?
I might do a track day on Monday, getting a bit old in the teeth to be mixing it with all the hot rod youngsters!
John
That’s some going I can’t even use an Elise every day! Did you do the track day?
Silverstone for me on Friday -
No I didn’t Steve. Angie, my partner sat down last night with a pen & pad and started making a list of all the jobs she wanted done today!! Was at my local track too, Llandow.
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Oh well there will always be another one 😀
nice choice of car is it s/c?
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