http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/wester...ur-garage.html

 

please no one do this, i can always see primer for something that will sometime get a coat of paint but doing this on something that isnt going be painted over NO.

 

so i take it you didnt even look at the link? the guy washed, waxed, and clay barred his paint before applying the vinyl.

i think it looks pretty damn good. if i didnt have rust i would think about doing it also

 

Most of the people on this site do not like anything but stock orginal cars or fats and skinnies or maybe even a set of 20 yeaqr old cragers. So this goes into the same category as 18" wheels "never do that keep it like it was". I like it but prob never do it to anything I drove.

 

While I was rather shocked that the dude applied vinyl to a crazy expensive BMW like that, his car turned out looking rather neat in the end. I think it looked rather cool. However:

1) I don't think it would take long for the vinyl to start peeling or rock chips showing paint in key areas of the car, like the front bumper or door handles. I just can't see it holding up in places that take a lot of abuse.

2) Just like any vehicle that's been repainted, if the vinyl doesn't have the same or a similar color as the car did, you have door jambs, underside of the trunk, strut towers, and much more that's colored differently.


Overall i think its neat and looks good, but I can't see it as being more than an experiment.

 

I like it a lot. Its pretty epic. I mean for a quick, simple change for a while its great.

 

no i did, read the ls1 posts about it. but what i mean is i dont understand how (expecially on a beemer) that someone would like there's to be an flat black if they already have nice paint (from which i understood that he did)? sure it draws attention, but really not in a good way. some may like it but i just really dont understand.

 

It's basically the same thing as car wraps, or rolling billboards. Also lots of companies do this to their fleet vehicles to advertise. The wraps actually last quite a while, many cars have vinyl stripes and other graphics that last for years.

http://www.ad-wraps.com/

 

i was actually thinking of doing this to my project iroc well at least until i save enough money for a paint job

 

Vinyl wraps are very common on company vehicles, as mentioned already.

As part of the sign install shop I had, vinyl wraps were a common ting to do. The vinyl we used for vehicles is a bit thicker than your standard bumper sticker, or even window lettering put on windows. Yes, it can still be damaged & the nose is the most commonly replaced item on those cars. But still cheaper & easier than a spray paint job on a booth.

I've been considering doing a solid white vinyl wrap on my GTA, just because it is quick, easy & you'd hardly notice if anything did rip, since the body is white already it would be hard to notice a rip/tear/chip.

 

ok i was thinking either gloss or flat a black, so with that info what company/thickness of vinyl do you recommend

 

..and a proximate price if done at a shop

 

ill see all of you guys that even consider this as a CHEAP temporary alternative when you have to pull the vinyl off and clean the adhesive to prep it for paint....

HEEEEEEEEEEEELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL NOOOOOOO!!!1

 

I wasn't involved in the pricing, so I wasn't real involved in that part. Besides...That was like 8 or 9 years ago (wow...time flies). I was just an install guy.

Check with your local sign shops & ask them about vinyl wraps. Usually the material comes in a semi-pre cut to fit pattern. Cut to a very small extent. And the thickness is not something you can choose. You get what they have. And it isn't your standard cast vinyl, like you would put on flat surfaces. The vinyl wrap stuff has more flexibility to conform to body shapes. And have fun on the more complex compound curves. Better have a heat gun & lots of patience!

 

And you obviously know nothing about the adhesive properties of automotive vinyl decal material......

 

JUST SO U KNOW I WORK ON A BODY SHOP FOR RVS work with them every day apply them take them off repair them so i guess i know something bout them haha

 

Big deal. The vinyl stuff I used for YEARS & YEARS, left virtually NOTHING behind. What little might have been, was used with an eraser wheel. Sorry your shop uses an inferior product.

Besides...Just because you work at a body shop, doesn't mean you have anyting to do with the trim portion of the shop.

 

don't wanna start an argument or anything i do everything at the body shop prep, body, paint ,trimming too anyways op asked for opinions that was mine i wouldn't do it if im thinking on painting it later on

 

regarding the prep what is needed
sanding?
a clean surface with what chemicals?
....and so on

 

Is the RV stuff like the super thin OEM decal stuff? If so...That is completely understandable & nothing like what the sign grade vinyl is, thickness-wise.

 

No chemical prep or sanding needed now wanted. Soap & water afterwards, if you use any chemicals to take anything off. Any surface irregularities & the vinyl will conform to that & show up in the surface as a irregularity or contorted surface.

 

nope some rvs are wrapped around with the advertising vinyl type... when u take it off yes it looks like everything came off but when you start sanding it to prep it for paint thats when u start seeing the leftover adhesive, thats why i said if its temporary to paint later on is not a good idea

EDIT: of course if ur willing to take the time to do the cleaning then go ahead, if you take it to a production shop they probably wont care bout the left over and just sand it n prime over it... we cant afford to do that on half million dollar motor homes

 

The decals/graphics on an RV are not even close to the same category as a vehicle wrap. Wraps are removable adhesive, RV graphics are permanent adhesive. Don't even try to say the two are the same.

Wraps also show every little scratch, ding or nick through it so while you are covering up things, it's mostly just to get the car the same color. Sanding scratches will even show through a wrap.

I also believe the inexperienced installer will have an easier time painting a car than applying a wrap that will last more than a few months. Just as in painting, Prep is key to having a long lasting wrap that won't peel up at the edges, etc.

Cars can run anywhere from 100 - 200 sq ft of material to wrap completely and at $8.00 - $15.00 per sq. ft it's hardly a cheap alternative. Just like paint, if you mess it up while applying it - your costs go up. Naturally, if your just using a plain unprinted color it will be cheaper.

Here's a good Hot Rod article on wraps that will answer a lot of the questions any one may have.
http://www.hotrod.com/techarticles/b...faqs_cost.html

 

also if you use a chemical the adhesive might not adhere to the surface and will make bubbles on the vinyl since u will need to use soap and water to apply the film the chemical will react to the water, think of it as oil and water they wont mix so it will affect your final product.

 

SO i guess this is not what u guys are talkin about right lol

 

thanks for the link
i am still considering this method