Although we do not recommend it, you might be thinking about installing a vehicle wrap on your own. There are several things you need to consider to get the installation done the right way. Below are some tips:
Get the Right Measurements and Plan the Layout and Design
By measuring the vehicle, you find out how much vinyl is needed for the wrap. Guessing is not acceptable as it can be dangerous to underestimate the amount of material needed. Not only will you have to stop work to order more material; the quality of the wrap may also be affected. Depending on your supplier, it can take a week to order additional film, plus you risk getting a vinyl with a different shade. Lots of problems may arise such as your vehicle looking funny and unfinished until you get the film you need.
When you measure your car in all areas, always provide additional measurements for the edges. The additional vinyl will provide you with extra space to grab the material while installing the wrap. For instance, if the hood of the vehicle is 5’x6’, you will need a 6’x7’ piece to be able to install the wrap properly without any problem. You will need to go over the inside lip of the hood and underneath to make the wrap look flawless and avoid any lifting due to the wind when you drive at higher speeds. It is recommended that you get 5’ to 10’ extra vinyl to make sure that you have enough material for the wrap.
Clean the Vehicle
Clean the car to get rid of the dirt, oil, wax and other dirt. Vinyl does not stick well to a surface that has oil and wax. Pay attention to those areas with the most dirt such as a bumpers, rocker panels, and wheel wells. Before installing the wrap, we recommend that you wipe the surface one last time with isopropyl alcohol and let it dry. Rust spots need to be fixed as well because vinyl will not stick to rust for too long. Rust also causes bubbling and unevenness that will inevitably show on the surface of the film once the wrap is installed. Also, the car will continue rusting underneath if the rust is not eliminated.
Do Not Over Stretch the Material
There is always a tendency of over stretching the material especially when you try to install the wrap on your own. However, vinyl films typically have a “memory” of its original shape and it tends to go back to it even when stretched. Just be careful because when the material is stretched, the glue comes with it.
When the vinyl becomes too thin, the amount of glue also thins out and makes it less effective as an adhesive. In the long run, this may cause curling or lifting of the material. Overstretched material also affects the look of the wrap and you may end up tearing the vinyl.
Post-Heating
Post-heating is an important part of vehicle wrap installation but most DIYers do not see the importance of this process. A vehicle wrap is never complete without the post heating process because it makes the material stick on complex shapes, corners and curves.
Consideration
If you do not have the professional knowledge and experience on vehicle wrap installation and you are relying entirely on DIY tutorials on Youtube, stop right there. Installing a vehicle wrap is a complicated process. While you may get it right on the design and layout, things may go wrong during the actual installation process. It is best to contact www.carwraps.com to do all this hard work for you.