History of Vinyl Wrap

  Vinyl wrap grew in popularity out of the wrap advertising business. A large milestone in the shift from small production vinyl lettering to a full vehicle vinyl color change took place in Germany in 1993 when the vinyl manufacturer was asked to produce a film to be used in place of paint for the purpose of converting cars into taxis. At this time, German taxi companies were required by law to paint their fleets in a government-mandated color, beige. They provided an alternative to painting, which allowed taxi companies to bring a large fleet of vehicles into compliance with German law while maintaining the future resale value of the vehicle. Prior to this point, decommissioned taxis were heavily discounted or had to be comp

letely repainted. With the use of vinyl vehicle wraps, there was no need to repaint them or discount them as the vinyl could be removed without damaging the paint underneath. They documented after 3 years of taxi service was complete, the vinyl was removed leaving a "pristine and unscratched paint surface". 

  The Newhouse Automotive ads described vinyl as the "very latest automotive sensation:" vehicle wraps. The Newhouse ads began in 1954. 

  By 2017, color change vinyl wraps, paint color matching vinyl wraps, and overlaminates evolved to include complex and creative graphic designs and advanced colors. Metallic, chrome, color shifting and even vinyl wraps that match OEM paint code colors are available.

The Guide Of How To DIY Wrap A Car

  If you want to wrap your car yourself, but have no experience before, I think the following points will be very helpful to you.

Step 1. Prepare A Plan

1.Cheak your car, the surface you’re wrapping.Is the body and paint job smooth? Minor scratches don’t pose a problem, but chips, dents, gouges, and rust can cause problems with vinyl wrap.If the wrap sticks to the defect, it’ll greatly increase its visibility. If the wrap doesn’t stick to the defect, it’ll bubble or tear, ruining the wrap job. Take care of these imperfections before wrapping your car.

2.Choose a clean environment, preferably free of bugs and dust.

3.A suitable room temperature will make your work better, 20 °C is the most suitable, it will not make the vinyl film brittle or too sticky

4.Prepare your tools and materials,you need grease and wax remover, a general cleaner, 70- or 90-percent isopropyl alcohol, lint-free cloths or towels, squeegee, utility knife, cutting tape, heat gun, infrared thermometer, and cotton wrap gloves. A clean worktable keeps everything off the floor and reduces the chance of picking up dust. Regarding the choice of material size, the following picture is very helpful for you

Step 2.Remove Any Hindrances

  Going over small surfaces such as mirrors, door handles, headlights is doable. But it can add up your installation time by hours, especially if you’re a first-time DIYer. So, save yourself some trouble and remove these obstacles beforehand to ensure a smooth installation.

Step 3.Clean The Car

Clean your car. Non-wax car wash products, leave a clean surface to which vinyl wrap will readily bond. Then, clean the entire surface with isopropyl alcohol and lint-free cloths.

Step 4.Measure And Cut The Vinyl

  If this is your first vehicle wrap project, starting with smaller and flatter sections will help you build confidence and momentum before tackling a wide roof or sculpted hood. Use your sketch and measurements to determine how much material to cut, using a utility knife.

Step 5.Laying The Wrap

  You might need a few helping hands for this step. Gently press the vinyl into the center of the panel and keep tension on the rest of the sheet. Using the squeegee, start at the center and work in overlapping strokes toward the edges of the panel. This will force air out and temporarily adhere the vinyl to the panel.

Step 6.Use A Heat Gun

  Curved surfaces can be especially challenging, forcing a two-dimensional object to conform to a three-dimensional surface. As you work, if you note wrinkles or bubbles, gently peel back the vinyl and apply heat, no more than 120 °F (80 °C), and tension to stretch it into place. Use the squeegee again to work back out from the center to the edges. When wrapping other items, like mirrors, wheels, or interior panels, the same challenges apply. Be patient to get the stretch right when fitting to curved surfaces.

Step 7.Edging And Finishing

  Seams look hideous only when done improperly. If done with brilliance, you cannot even notice one. Overlap two vinyl pieces and, using knifeless cutting tape, create a perfect seam. In case you have to cut using a knife, make sure that knife is sharp and your handles gentle.

  Trim the extra sheets on the edges, leaving a 2-3 mm margin from the edge. Activate the adhesive on the edges using a heat gun and firmly seal the edges to the panels.

  Once all the edges are set, use a heat gun to activate adhesives on the rest of the vinyl sheets. Using squeegee and hands to bond the sheets to the surface and take care of bubbles safely with a pin, if necessary.

Step 8.Wrap Cleaning

  Wash often to prevent buildup of excess dirt and grime. Tough stains might require spot application of isopropyl alcohol. 

  Gentle cleaning is best. Hand washing and drying is the recommended method to keep vinyl clean. Use a silicone squeegee to remove excess water before drying with microfiber towels. Brush car washes are not recommended, as these can scratch and pull at the edges of your vinyl wrap. Touchless or brushless car washes are good choices, and pressure washers can be used on gentle settings; under 2,000 psi, under 180 °F (80 °C), >40° spray tip, at least 12 inches (30 cm) from the surface, and at right angles to the surface.