mirror chrome vehicle wrap

[artofacks1]

Hello,

I have a client that needs me to wrap using mirror chrome material.

Can you guys recommend a vinyl that will be durable for a car.

Thanks,
Robert

 

[Fred Weiss]

Search using keywords: "mirror" "chrome" "wrap" to see previous discussions of this topic.

 

[heyskull]

OL That didn't work Fred.

Personally avoid chrome wrap as much as possible.
I would talk the client out of it.
Expensive material that doesn't conform or really look like chrome.
I have seen some awful chrome wraps with joins and cuts on complex and not so complex curves.
I reckon you will use twice the amount of material as each panel covered will never look as good as you would like.

Also I think their are issues with the reflectivity of it being outlawed in some of your US states.
I know it is a very Grey area here in the UK.

I guess what I am saying is AVOID.

SC

 

[ProColorGraphics]

These guys just did it: http://wrapinstitute.com/videos

I am assuming they used Avery. They also mentioned that they laminated it too, I am assuming with a 1mil laminate to keep it as thin as possible.

 

[worthy1]

Plenty of people have used it successfully but when not done right it can look bad but really when any wrap isn't done right it will look bad, not just chrome.

At the end of the day you need to ensure people are aware it is a vinyl, not a chrome/paint finish. If they want to get up close and search for imperfections they will be found. Its dangerous to sell it as a paint like, perfect finish. Undersell and overachieve!

I do agree though that not only is chrome a more expensive material to buy but it will take longer to plan/install t get it right. This obviously translates to more labour.

Some people laminate it to protect its easily scratched finish and hey if the customer can afford that on top of the material then they wont mind paying the hefty install fee ontop

 

[neil_se]

I attended a track day with this Avery chromed wrapped LFA and while it looked great from a few metres, up close you could see all the fine scratches even though it was laminated.

I think it's wrapped matte yellow now though.

 

[crystalcoastgraphics]

This is my truck for the shop. It's a matte black wrap, with Avery blue chrome and white reflective overlays. We laminated the chrome. It is tougher to work with than regular vinyl, but you just have to get used to its properties and limitations. I know everyone might not like the design, but it gets a lot of good attention. All of our other shop vehicles are much more simple, but we just wanted to have fun with this one.

 

[crystalcoastgraphics]

Here is the only one I have. The name stands out well at night, but the front and back white overlays look just random. Wish I had thought out the night view more than I did.

 

[rjssigns]

This is my truck for the shop. It's a matte black wrap, with Avery blue chrome and white reflective overlays. We laminated the chrome. It is tougher to work with than regular vinyl, but you just have to get used to its properties and limitations. I know everyone might not like the design, but it gets a lot of good attention. All of our other shop vehicles are much more simple, but we just wanted to have fun with this one.

Love the truck!

Gotta ask how much of a beast was it to apply the cut chrome?

 

[crystalcoastgraphics]

It really wasn't that bad. The flat areas went on fine, then on the curves like between the cab and bed, we just removed the transfer tape, and applied without it. This way we could stretch it a little when we needed to. That is pretty much how we did all of the curved areas. Like i said, once you learn the limitations of the chrome, you just work with it. It is definitely more challenging then normal wrap vinyl, but not such a big pain that I wouldn't do it again.

 

[rjssigns]

It really wasn't that bad. The flat areas went on fine, then on the curves like between the cab and bed, we just removed the transfer tape, and applied without it. This way we could stretch it a little when we needed to. That is pretty much how we did all of the curved areas. Like i said, once you learn the limitations of the chrome, you just work with it. It is definitely more challenging then normal wrap vinyl, but not such a big pain that I wouldn't do it again.

Thanks for the info.

 

[neil_se]

Drooooool. When you say you attended a track day, do you mean as a spectator? I would pay a pretty penny to take on of those new bad boys on a track.

No I was in my own track car. The v10 sounds unreal. There were two LFAs there actually, his mate was also there in a white one.

 

[SignMeUpGraphics]

No I was in my own track car. The v10 sounds unreal. There were two LFAs there actually, his mate was also there in a white one.

The LFA is mindblowing on the track. I managed to get a ride in one on a private circuit near Sydney a few years back.
I have never been in something that launched, cornered or stopped as confidently... with an amazing soundtrack to boot.