I am about to do my first wrap job (see attached.) What you see attached is what the customer wants. I have watched enough videos on wrapping I feel confident I can do the job but for this particular design I am scared when I get to the front and start going around some heavy contours the graphics will become distorted. Should I be doing graphics like this around heavy contours, I mean is it possible to do this without distorting the image or should I tell the customer to pick a design where some distortion won’t be seen?
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My first wrap
- Thread starter shacho
- Start date
hcardwell93
New Member
Those contours aren't that bad. Just be careful that you don't pull too much when the vinyl is hot.
hcardwell93
New Member
Those contours aren't that bad. Just be careful that you don't pull too much when the vinyl is hot.
hcardwell93
New Member
Hoods, tailgates and roofs should be done as separate print panels.
The nice thing about the front of that van is you really dont have much metal where the fender can meet the hood so dont go crazy trying to make bubbles line up 100%.
Or if you do have a bubble element that's pretty prominent and you don't want to cut it off just lay the wrap on both panels, contour cut around that element and then place it on top of the other panel.
The nice thing about the front of that van is you really dont have much metal where the fender can meet the hood so dont go crazy trying to make bubbles line up 100%.
Or if you do have a bubble element that's pretty prominent and you don't want to cut it off just lay the wrap on both panels, contour cut around that element and then place it on top of the other panel.
2B
Active Member
we try and minimize the seams so doing it vertically is our go to approach using the door jams.
like the others have said, break it down into sections sides, roof, front, back, and on the sides break it down into sections based upon the door jams of the vehicle.
Since this is your first wrap, do you have an area in the shade / climate controlled garage to do the work in? make sure you avoid installation in direct sunlight. this will stretch the vinyl and cause distortion when you install.
like the others have said, break it down into sections sides, roof, front, back, and on the sides break it down into sections based upon the door jams of the vehicle.
Since this is your first wrap, do you have an area in the shade / climate controlled garage to do the work in? make sure you avoid installation in direct sunlight. this will stretch the vinyl and cause distortion when you install.
From the product bulletin:
"3M recommends using additional heat in the post-application process for vehicle graphics. During this process, 3M only recommends using a heat gun to make sure the film surface temperature reaches a minimum of 200F (93C) and does not exceed 225F (107C)."
"3M recommends using additional heat in the post-application process for vehicle graphics. During this process, 3M only recommends using a heat gun to make sure the film surface temperature reaches a minimum of 200F (93C) and does not exceed 225F (107C)."
i know i said only one more question but i keep thinking of other ones. Anyway so it only has to reach that temperature momentarily. i.e. it doesn't have to stay at that heat for any amount of time.
Also what do you think of Arlon 6100 air release with Arlon 3220 lam for this job?
Do you have any recommendations for heat guns?
thanks to everyone for there help... this is an awesome forum.
Also what do you think of Arlon 6100 air release with Arlon 3220 lam for this job?
Do you have any recommendations for heat guns?
thanks to everyone for there help... this is an awesome forum.
Yea it's just momentarily.
I haven't wrapped with Arlon film so I can't help there.
For heat guns I have two in my kit. A DeWalt with a simple on/off switch and some temperature adjustment for general use, quick and easy to use, and a Wagner with digital temperature adjustment for when I need to hit specific temperatures. The Wagners are cheap and handy, they also fit in 3M's textured surface applicator which is nice.
I haven't wrapped with Arlon film so I can't help there.
For heat guns I have two in my kit. A DeWalt with a simple on/off switch and some temperature adjustment for general use, quick and easy to use, and a Wagner with digital temperature adjustment for when I need to hit specific temperatures. The Wagners are cheap and handy, they also fit in 3M's textured surface applicator which is nice.
Well, i am just about complete my first vehicle wrap. Its actually turning out quite good but i have run into a problem. I am wrapping a Ford transit van and on the side panel there is an indented area where a window would be on some models, but this model just has metal. So what i want to do is stick the bottom of the side then stretch it very tightly to the top to try to avoid it sticking in the indented area but i just can not stretch it tight enough to do this. So what i thought i could do is wet that area but i have read that you are not supposed to wet cast air release material. Has anyone used wet application on cast air release before or is this a no no. Anyone have any ideas on how to get around the indented area? I have attached a picture in my first post on this thread.
thanx
thanx
Signmaker1234
New Member
Someone told me yesterday that you could use a wet application with air release, but I'm not sure. Im going to have to investigate, lol!
hcardwell93
New Member
You're trying to make this harder than it has to be. Just squeegee it up the side of the van like normal. Then apply a little heat and push it into the channel.
Signmaker1234
New Member
There is a good video by Arlon I think on the subject of those indented areas, tells you where to heat. Check YOU TUBE.
Signmaker1234
New Member
Kentucky Wraps
Kentucky Wraps
" I have watched enough videos on wrapping I feel confident I can do the job..."
I have watched enough videos of Bob Ross painting, but that doesn't mean I can paint. I have watched enough video tutorials of Mike Portnoy playing the drums..."
Well you get it. Don't get me wrong, videos help a lot, but practice on your own vehicles for awhile before practicing on your customers' vehicles.
It takes more than just watching videos to wrap with confidence. Hands on experience. The more you touch the vinyl the more you'll get a feel for it.
It sucks to have to eat the cost of the wrap if you mess it up and then get a bad name for yourself floating around town. Just my too sense.
(pun intended)
I have watched enough videos of Bob Ross painting, but that doesn't mean I can paint. I have watched enough video tutorials of Mike Portnoy playing the drums..."
Well you get it. Don't get me wrong, videos help a lot, but practice on your own vehicles for awhile before practicing on your customers' vehicles.
It takes more than just watching videos to wrap with confidence. Hands on experience. The more you touch the vinyl the more you'll get a feel for it.
It sucks to have to eat the cost of the wrap if you mess it up and then get a bad name for yourself floating around town. Just my too sense.
(pun intended)
Pat Whatley
New Member
That idea is worse than the put it down wet idea.
hcardwell93
New Member
How? If you look at the panel shape of that vehicle its not like a deep hard V shape.
Use cast film, work it in and post heat and you're not going to get a failure on this body panel.