When Wraps Won't Work

People often turn to us when they're looking for a quick and easy way to restyle or rehab their ride. We get it and, frankly, that's what we're here for but there are some times when car wraps just won't work. In today's post we'll go over some issues that can't be corrected with vinyl wraps and those parts of your car or truck that you're better off not trying to wrap.

Most cast vinyl used for vehicle wraps will only adhere well to paint that is in original (OEM) or like new or very good quality condition. Even if the problem area is small, installing a wrap over the damaged paint has the potential of creating more problems. In fact, most colors and finishes of wrap material will amplify the problem area. Since the vinyl is an extremely thin film, it just doesn’t hide flaws. Even if the vinyl will adhere to (or around) the problem area, the removal of the vinyl may cause the damaged and/or surrounding paint to pull off. Remember, vinyl wraps don’t last forever, and they need to be removed at some point. Taking the vinyl off and bringing the paint with it is not good. Ever. If you are looking at your vehicle, wondering if a wrap is the right choice for you, here are images of some paint conditions that just won’t work.

Deep Paint Scratches

Scratches, chips and other defects in the paint will be magnified when the vinyl is installed. What's worse, removal of the vinyl also may cause the paint surrounding the damaged area to pull off. The only vinyl wrap film we can recommend to hide this damage is Rwraps™ 3D Carbon Fiber or Series 1080 Carbon Fiber films.

Aftermarket Paint Jobs with Orange Peel Textures

Bad paint jobs with excess paint can cause an ‘orange peel’ effect that will not be hidden by a vinyl wrap. We recommend professional paint repair and proper cure time before a wrap should be applied to a vehicle. Even then, we cannot guarantee the condition of the paint once the wrap is removed. Still, if you're a brave soul then films like Brushed Metallic, Camouflage, Carbon Fibers may hide the orange peel texture upon which they are applied.

Cars with Rusted Sheet Metal

Wraps won't stick to rust. We wish there was something else we could say but if your car or truck has exposed rust or oxidation the bubble-free adhesives simply will not bond. In essence, a rusty surface is no different than a dirty one and the rust particles will adhere to the film resulting in delamination.

Vehicles with Peeling Clear Coat

Some people will tell you that a car wrap is not an option if the clear coat or paint is peeling. In general, it's recommended to install wraps only on factory painted vehicles for wrapping. However, if you do decide that a wrap is the only option that's going to work for you we strongly recommend having areas of paint that are chipping or peeling “feathered” or “sanded” by a body shop prior to wrapping to insure a smooth installation and prevent any future paint flaking. If you have a car with flaking paint or peeling clear coat we don't recommend Gloss, Flip or Chameleon films for these types of jobs although Carbon Fiber, Camouflage and Sticker Bomb films completely disguise any peeling below.

Other Things You Shouldn't Try to Wrap

In addition to damaged and textured paint, there are a few other areas on any car you shouldn't try to wrap. Rubberized areas, trim made with ABS plastics and solar panels are just some of these. Check out this video created by 3M™ below and let us know what you think:

CAR WRAP INSTALLATION GUIDE

FOR FULL COLOR CHANGE ON VEHICLES

PART ONE:

Pre-Installation Cleaning Products & Tools

•   Grease and wax remover

•   General Paint-safe Cleaner

•   Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA)

•   Lint-Free Towel or Lint-Free Paper Towel

•   Squeegee

•    Sharp Blade

•    Heat Gun

•    Wrap Gloves

APPLICATION CONDITIONS & STORAGE

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Temperature:

 Temperature plays a critical role in how well the vinyl adheres to the substrate. We recommend a working temperature to be in the range of 22 C.  If the temperature is too low, there is a higher risk of tearing as the cold makes the film more brittle. If the temperature is too high, the adhesive will activate and bond more aggressively, this will add difficulty when repositioning the vinyl on the target surface.

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Environment:
We strictly recommend applying film indoors, as this will not only help maintain a

consistent temperature, it will also reduce the amount of dust and contaminants

that may collect on the surface.

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Vinyl Storage:
When storing vinyl, try not to expose the film to heat sources (radiators, heaters)

or direct sunlight. Keep humidity as low as possible and always store the vinyl vertically.

When storing vinyl after using the product, make sure the material is tightly wound around the core.

VViViD® uses a paper liner that is effected by moisture and humidity, it is paramount to keep the vinyl in a dry place.

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1. The first step is to clean the surface with paint-safe grease and wax remover to remove any dirt or grime on the surface. We recommend to have the car generally cleaned with car wash soap (avoid using cleaners with waxes). Then proceed to rinse the surface with water.

2. Thoroughly dry the surface with a clean lint-free towel or lint-free paper towel. Pay particular attention to ridges, edges and seams as these areas are often neglected and may carry the most dirt and grime. To clean hard to reach edges, wrap a lint-free towel over a squeegee and proceed to swipe multiple times. Each swipe should be done with a clean portion of the towel until the towel shows no dirt on the swiped edge. This may be time consuming, but often these edges, especially in vehicle wrapping installations, are where the ends of the film are anchored and may peel off if not properly cleaned.

3. Surfaces with any grease, oil or wax greatly reduce film adhesion and may form bubbles on neglected areas. To remove these contaminants, we recommend using a grease and wax cleaner. Alcohol-based cleaners, such as isopropyl alcohol may be used, but is not as effective at removing wax in comparison to solvent-based cleaners. Alcohol is best used for spot cleaning and a quick wipe-down.

4. Make sure the substrate is completely dry before applying the film. If necessary, use a blow dryer or heat gun to speed up the process.

5. Proceed to apply the film as soon as possible to reduce the amount of dust and contaminants that may accumulate on the surface over time.

PRE-WRAP PREP

CLEANING AND SURFACE PREP FOR MAXIMUM PERFORMANCE

PART TWO: Installation Application Products & Tools

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•    Squeegee w/ felt tip

•   Heat gun

•   Utility knife

•   3M 94 Tape Primer

•   WrapCut OR Knifeless Tape Fine Filament Edge Cutting Tape

•   Cotton gloves

•   Masking tape

•   Tape measure

•   Infrared thermometer (optional)

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1. Plan your method of attack. We recommend applying the film to flatter areas first, just because these tend to be simpler and more convenient to get out of the way.

2. Check to make sure there is nothing hindering your application, such as logos, hood ornaments, and other bulky objects that won’t be wrapped. We recommend researching how these objects stick to the car and the best method of removal.

3. Using your tape measure, roughly measure the surface of the panel you are applying to, leaving extra material (at least 4-6 inches) on either side.

4. Unroll the desired amount of film and cut using a utility knife. Try not to unroll or place the film on the floor, as this will leave dust and debris on the film, causing scratches when applying with a squeegee.

5. With someone helping you, carefully remove the backing paper while applying some tension to the film, so that less creases appear. Have that person help you position the vinyl and drape the film over the panel. At this point, ensure that the entire panel is covered without any edges of the panel exposed.

6. When placing vinyl on moderately curved surfaces, carefully reposition the vinyl in order to create tension over the entire surface.

Standard Films (Dry Application Method)

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Applying vinyl takes practice, skill and most of all patience. For large projects, like vehicle wrap installations, we recommend having a second set of hands.

Visually identify the center of the panel. This will be your starting point.

Once you have a starting, peel back the liner and place the vinyl wrap onto the target surface. Make sure your material is larger than needed for easier handling.

Using moderate pessure on your squeegee, apply the film while pushing out trapped air from beneath starting from the middle outward. In every swipe, make sure to overlap the preceding swipe to ensure that all air has been removed from the area. 

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Using felt or an edge buffer will help limit installation damage when applying pressure. If you don't use the correct amount of pressure, you risk leaving air trapped behind the film. To see if the right pressure is being used, use a heat gun on an installed surface, if bubbles apear, use more pressure.

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Another great way to see how VVIVID® films work is by installing it on a piece of glass and understanding how the air-release channels work according to the pressure you are using. 

CURVED SURFACES

DEALING WITH CONFORMING AND WRINKLES

1. On curved surfaces, you will inevitably encounter some folds or creases on the film. Reposition the film with tention to avoid creasing when installing. 

2. When needed, heat the film to soften and conform it to the shape. 

   1. It is critical not to overheat the film. This can lead to losing the texture or luster of the film.

   2. Every film has a different tolerance to heat and we suggest testing how much heat the material can tolerate before application on test pieces.

3. At one point, folds or creases slowly transition into what’s known as “crow’s feet”. If you chop at these, they will flatten and become permanent wrinkles. Simply lift the film slightly and gently apply heat until wrinkles shrink, then re-apply.

   1. Using both hands and carefully pull the film until the vinyl appears flat, while still applying tension lay the film over the surface.

   2. Try to squeegee the remaining crow’s feet and if they still do not disappear repeat steps until the crow’s feet eventually disappear.

Properly finishing the installation can make the surface seem as if it was never vinyl wrapped in the first place. Making this seamless finish requires experience, skill and most importantly, paying close attention to detail. Improper finishing can lead to revealing the surface beneath, poorly sealed edges which slowly peels over time.

Edges:

1. Edges refers to the space between two panels of the surface. For example: on a car, it would refer to the space between the front door and a fender.

2. To prepare this area, gently heat the space between the two panels and run your finger down the gap while wearing cotton gloves. This will help cure the adhesive over the edges of the gap and will also help conceal the surface beneath. Continue this process over all seams on the surface.

DETAILING

Corners, edges and finishing detail.

Cutting:

Cutting requires a sharp blade or you will risk tearing the vinyl as appose to slicing it. Cutting takes very steady hands and intricacy or you may run the risk of cutting the surface and damaging it.

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Edge: When cutting the edge of a panel, it is paramount that this cut is clean and precise. When cutting, a 2-3mm margin is required for folding around an edge for a paint-like look (pictured below).  

Opposite to what most people think, leaving more than 3mm can actually risk the integrity of your wrap. For a wrap to be installed properly, the extremeties of the wrap must be completely installed on the panel. Any loose or floating material not properly adhered to the panel or acting as a flap to exposed air will ruin the integrity of that edge or corner.  To seal an edge, make sure you heat and press the film into place ( we recommend 90 degree). A trick we use is having a squeegee guide the blade on edges. This gives us clean cuts and a 2-3 mm excess which is perfect. This is pictured for reference.

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Proper edges and corners

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Corners:

For rounded or sharp edge corners, heat the vinyl until malleable and push the film deep in the corner crevice. A moderate amount of heat should be used on the corner in order to fuse the area. Do not cut when film is still hot. Just like the edges, a clean cut should be made, make sure material is flush and installed without flaps and creasing.

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Cutting on paint:

Cutting on paint is scary but there is a way of doing it. It takes skill, patience and a really sharp blade!  Gently glide the blade over the film soft enough that you do not cut through the film but rather crease the surface of the film. This crease will allow you to pull away vinyl and making clean cuts without damaging the paint beneath. 

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Wrapcut® or Knifeless Tape® can also be used if you are not comfortable with the above mentioned method. 

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Post Heating:

Our XPO generation of vinyls are mainly heat activated. Basically our films are designed to be easily repositionable (low tack) before the vinyl is heated and
adheres firmly (high tack) after the vinyl is heated. Once the wrap is finally applied to your surface and detailed cuts, edges, corners are set. Use your heat gun on the highest setting and run it over areas that may have been stretched, edges, corners and press the material in with a glove. ( 90 degrees releases any memory on the film, this is necessary for a longterm wrap).

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When heating, you may encounter a bubble or two, simply use a pin or sharp edge, pop and remove the air with your finger.

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This is probably the most important step in the wrapping process. It is also the most neglected, take your time and ensure everything is properly installed for longevity and reliability.

Tips & Tricks

Disclaimer:

These videos should not be used as exact guides.They offer tips and tricks of the trade that can benefit any wrapping project. Different products have different skill level requirements for the installation. For example Chrome is ranked High in difficulty.

Vinyl wrap a front bumper w/ Gloss Nardo Grey

Vinyl wrap a car roof w/ Matte Black

Vinyl wrap a hood/bonnet larger than 60 inches 

w/ Matte Metallic Lava Red

Vinyl wrap a trunk in one piece /w Matte Black

Vinyl wrap front grill w/ Gloss Black

Vinyl wrap side mirrors w/ Tech Art Gloss Carbon

Vinyl wrap door jambs & returns w/ Gloss Black

Vinyl wrap your door w/ Satin Blue Chrome

Vinyl wrap a rear spoiler w/ Matte Black

Tips & Tricks for complex wrapping.

Post heat and how it works (With Caution)

Tint tail lights with air release tint w/ 

Air-Tint® Taillight Tint

Knifeless tape to create custom stripes

Vinyl wrap around emblem