Wrapped my shark fin

'V' · 04-17-2015, 01:27 PM

Having re-wrapped my roof I also did the sharkfin. Managed to do it in one peice this time and it turned out great (IMO)

Anyway, a little bored now so thought I'd share it

relentlessone · 04-17-2015, 01:36 PM

Amazing! Mind sharing your technique? I'll be wrapping two shark fins this spring, so it would be good to know!

Calluhan · 04-17-2015, 01:50 PM

fantastic job Andy - do you have a link for the vinyl you used? Quite fancy doing my roof also

Waspo · 04-17-2015, 03:34 PM

Great job !!

BTW, how do you get these fins off?

Thanks

'V' · 04-17-2015, 04:32 PM

Thanks guys, it was actually pretty simple. Took a fair bit of heating but once you fo hire out how to remove all the folds it really isn't diffucult, took about 20mins

The vinyl I used for this and the roof was KPMF bought from here
http://www.mdpsupplies.co.uk/vehiclewrappingvws1.asp
Seems to get some decent reviews and isn't that expensive. I've used it a few time so have got a feel for how much heat/stretch it can take.
It's quite a nice vinyl to work with.

To remove the fin I gently levered it up enough to get a blade in to slice the sticky tape that holds it on - just be very careful not to scratch the paint. It's only held on by tape

Once it's all done I'll post a pic of the finished roof.

Sparky68 · 04-17-2015, 04:36 PM

Good job there V

I'd recommend the 3m vinyl it has memory lock so once in place/shape it stays there.

'V' · 04-17-2015, 04:39 PM

Relentlessone - technique, not sure I did it how it is meant to be done but it worked.
- Heat and stretch the vinyl first (learnt that from doing my wing mirrors) let it cool in the stretched position
- wrap the flat back area first
- pull it tight over the middle to the front (doesnt need to be perfect you'll be lifting it again)
Work your way forward on the sides (lots of heat and lots of streching involved in this bit.
- finish at the front point, you'll have loads of wrinkles on the front but one more big strech should get rid of them.
- once wrinkle and bubble free, run the heatgun / hairdryer over the whole area getting it hot and then let it cool, this should make it train it's shape and not life.
Finish by removing and wrinkle from the underside and trim accordingly.

Happy to help anyone do this if you're local and have beer in the fridge

relentlessone · 04-18-2015, 11:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 'V'

Relentlessone - technique, not sure I did it how it is meant to be done but it worked.
- Heat and stretch the vinyl first (learnt that from doing my wing mirrors) let it cool in the stretched position
- wrap the flat back area first
- pull it tight over the middle to the front (doesnt need to be perfect you'll be lifting it again)
Work your way forward on the sides (lots of heat and lots of streching involved in this bit.
- finish at the front point, you'll have loads of wrinkles on the front but one more big strech should get rid of them.
- once wrinkle and bubble free, run the heatgun / hairdryer over the whole area getting it hot and then let it cool, this should make it train it's shape and not life.
Finish by removing and wrinkle from the underside and trim accordingly.

Happy to help anyone do this if you're local and have beer in the fridge

Thanks V! I've watched the video tutorial on the wing mirrors where they pre-stretched it, never thought to apply that technique.

dean87 · 04-18-2015, 11:34 PM

Great job.
To anyone wanting to try this, do NOT use cheap vinyl, as you will not get a result as good as this.

holmefield · 04-19-2015, 05:50 AM

I've done loads of wrapping & believe me the best technique is just practise and patience..u'be just done my rear diffuser on Friday check the pics out on the UK bit of the forum..

As mentioned use good quality wrap lots of heat and a clean surface..I did my kindney grills yesterday it's the 2nd time this week i'be done them, now they are a pain.

'V' · 04-19-2015, 05:56 AM

2nd that, kidneys are a pain in the arse!

RajB · 04-19-2015, 04:28 PM

That's a spot on job for sure. Nice one.

AlwynMike · 04-21-2015, 06:04 PM

When I had mine done (professionally!), the tip for the spoiler was to do the small trailing edge first, then do the top surface. It may seem better to do it the other way, but I'm told that leaves the small surface area of the lip of the spoiler under stress which can cause it to lift over time - do it first to get it established, and then do the main spoiler after.

Mine's still OK after 2 years so far

Mike

04-17-2015, 01:27 PM	#1
'V' Captain 43 Rep 902 Posts Drives: ~Carbon black F36 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: UK iTrader: (1)	Wrapped my shark fin Having re-wrapped my roof I also did the sharkfin. Managed to do it in one peice this time and it turned out great (IMO) Anyway, a little bored now so thought I'd share it
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04-17-2015, 01:36 PM	#2
relentlessone Second Lieutenant 283 Rep 209 Posts Drives: 2024 BMW M340i xDrive Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Haddon Township, NJ iTrader: (0)	Amazing! Mind sharing your technique? I'll be wrapping two shark fins this spring, so it would be good to know!
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04-17-2015, 01:50 PM	#3
Calluhan Lieutenant 71 Rep 552 Posts Drives: 2014 BMW 640D Gran Coupe Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Cleveleys Lancashire iTrader: (0)	fantastic job Andy - do you have a link for the vinyl you used? Quite fancy doing my roof also
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04-17-2015, 03:34 PM	#4
Waspo Lieutenant Colonel 93 Rep 1,568 Posts Drives: E90 330i M Sport, Silver Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Southampton, England iTrader: (5)	Great job !! BTW, how do you get these fins off? Thanks __________________ Understeer is when you hit the wall with the front of the car, oversteer is when you hit the wall with the rear of the car. Horsepower is how fast you hit the wall and torque is how far you take the wall with you"
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04-17-2015, 04:32 PM	#5
'V' Captain 43 Rep 902 Posts Drives: ~Carbon black F36 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: UK iTrader: (1)	Thanks guys, it was actually pretty simple. Took a fair bit of heating but once you fo hire out how to remove all the folds it really isn't diffucult, took about 20mins The vinyl I used for this and the roof was KPMF bought from here http://www.mdpsupplies.co.uk/vehiclewrappingvws1.asp Seems to get some decent reviews and isn't that expensive. I've used it a few time so have got a feel for how much heat/stretch it can take. It's quite a nice vinyl to work with. To remove the fin I gently levered it up enough to get a blade in to slice the sticky tape that holds it on - just be very careful not to scratch the paint. It's only held on by tape Once it's all done I'll post a pic of the finished roof.
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04-17-2015, 04:36 PM	#6
Sparky68 Brigadier General 676 Rep 4,260 Posts Drives: 2016 M2 Alpine White Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Cambs UK iTrader: (11) Garage List 2016 BMW M2 [0.50] 2017 BMW F30 330D [0.00] 2014 M135 [0.00] 2007 BMW 335i [0.00]	Good job there V I'd recommend the 3m vinyl it has memory lock so once in place/shape it stays there. __________________ OG M2 7sp DCT Masata FMIC - Masata Boost Pipe - Cobra Catless DP - Powervalve Exhaust - Devilsown Methanol Injection BM3 Stage 2
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04-17-2015, 04:39 PM	#7
'V' Captain 43 Rep 902 Posts Drives: ~Carbon black F36 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: UK iTrader: (1)	Relentlessone - technique, not sure I did it how it is meant to be done but it worked. - Heat and stretch the vinyl first (learnt that from doing my wing mirrors) let it cool in the stretched position - wrap the flat back area first - pull it tight over the middle to the front (doesnt need to be perfect you'll be lifting it again) Work your way forward on the sides (lots of heat and lots of streching involved in this bit. - finish at the front point, you'll have loads of wrinkles on the front but one more big strech should get rid of them. - once wrinkle and bubble free, run the heatgun / hairdryer over the whole area getting it hot and then let it cool, this should make it train it's shape and not life. Finish by removing and wrinkle from the underside and trim accordingly. Happy to help anyone do this if you're local and have beer in the fridge
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04-18-2015, 11:34 PM	#9
dean87 Private First Class 66 Rep 195 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Melbourne, Australia iTrader: (1)	Great job. To anyone wanting to try this, do NOT use cheap vinyl, as you will not get a result as good as this.
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04-19-2015, 05:50 AM	#10
holmefield Captain 60 Rep 615 Posts Drives: 330 d m sport Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: burnley iTrader: (0)	I've done loads of wrapping & believe me the best technique is just practise and patience..u'be just done my rear diffuser on Friday check the pics out on the UK bit of the forum.. As mentioned use good quality wrap lots of heat and a clean surface..I did my kindney grills yesterday it's the 2nd time this week i'be done them, now they are a pain.
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04-19-2015, 05:56 AM	#11
'V' Captain 43 Rep 902 Posts Drives: ~Carbon black F36 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: UK iTrader: (1)	2nd that, kidneys are a pain in the arse!
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04-19-2015, 04:28 PM	#12
RajB Brigadier General 448 Rep 3,312 Posts Drives: E92 335i Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Midlands iTrader: (4)	That's a spot on job for sure. Nice one. __________________ E92 335i / M3 Hybrid - The Build
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04-21-2015, 06:04 PM	#13
AlwynMike Lieutenant Colonel 334 Rep 1,659 Posts Drives: F36 440i GC. Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Lincolnshire Flatlands iTrader: (1)	When I had mine done (professionally!), the tip for the spoiler was to do the small trailing edge first, then do the top surface. It may seem better to do it the other way, but I'm told that leaves the small surface area of the lip of the spoiler under stress which can cause it to lift over time - do it first to get it established, and then do the main spoiler after. Mine's still OK after 2 years so far Mike
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