wrapped my car - BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum

djaemac · 04-19-2010, 02:00 AM

I vinyl wrapped my car flat black. This was just a random project i decided to pull the trigger on.... I had no experience whatsoever on vinyling anything. I just watched a few vids on youtube and got some advice from friends who do vinyl stickers. Here's a few pics of the process and outcome...

Hate it, Love it...It was my first time... it took me 1 week and a day to complete....did a panel a day after work =)

oh, and for the record... I didn't pay over $3000 bucks that most people pay to vinyl their car....

I paid about $120 for all materials... and i did all the work myself, with some help from my fiance from time to time

=) enjoy

DIY!!!!

so this will be my little DIY since there's not really much to mention =)

THINGS YOU NEED:
Vinyl (about 25 yards give it take..also depending how much you mess up)... measurements for the vinyl i got were 25 yrds and 48 inches wide....

2 qts of application fluid for the vinyl

I used a felt squeegee so it wont scratch the surface of the vinyl.

I also used a heat gun from Harbor Freight... $10 FTW!!!!

1 XActo knife and scissors

AND LOTS OF PATIENCE!!!!!

I fully detailed the car prior to vinyling including:
- Full car wash, Clay bar'ed the car, and waxed just to be sure the car was flawless.

It is important to make sure there are no specs of dust, bugs, dirt, or anything that would affect the vinyl application onto the car...

Applying:

1. Start with the easiest parts first (for me, it was the roof, trunk, and hood)

2. Cut the vinyl to the size of the section you are going to start on and make sure you cut an oversized piece just in case for stretching the vinyl.

3. Spray the application fluid all over the area you are about to vinyl, and peel off the backing of the vinyl and apply it to the section.

4. Be sure you squeegee the vinyl slowly because if you're too rapid, that may cause creases and lots of air bubbles; this is where the heat gun comes into play. With creases, just lift the vinyl back up and heat the area which you creased, stretch the vinyl until there is no more crease and reapply the vinyl. ALWAYS SQUEEGEE FROM MIDDLE OUTWARD...

5. The vinyl may keep coming up at the edges, this is due to the application fluid. Let it dry and you may continue to squeegee the vinyl down.

Now for the curvy areas!!!!

This is where you may need some help from a person or two...

FOR THE BUMPERS:

1. do not use application fluid when vinyling the bumpers or the most curvy areas of the car. If you do, it will be a Bi*ch to apply it.

2. Use A LOT of stretch and heat for this application

3. Start middle outward; squeegee the middle area of the bumper on, and have someone pull on the vinyl away as you heat the vinyl and squeegee it down. Do NOT over heat or overstretch the vinyl as it may lose its flat black appearance.

FYI: There will be a lot of bubbles on the sections where you do not spray the application fluid. NO WORRIES! try to get the bubbles as small as possible, and when you're done, let the car sit out in the sun and the bubbles will magically disappear!! (with the help of a needle from time to time) =)

when starting this project, you'll learn more and more as you keep vinyling sections of your car.

I learned as i went, and you all will too! (if you decide to tackle this)

Try vinyling a piece a time. I vinyl'd a section a day because that took all my patience in a day..

In the end, you'll be satisfied. This is a pretty straightforward DIY, so if there's any other questions, feel free to PM me.

Thanks again everyone!!!!!

Lexi · 04-19-2010, 02:03 AM

nicely done! and cheap at that!

but then a question pops up, what's the point of choosing a color at bmw anymore when you can just... do it yourself

PhantomMaxx · 04-19-2010, 02:03 AM

Cool. How long do you plan to keep it on?

Tee212 · 04-19-2010, 02:05 AM

looks like you had fun doing it, did you wrap up the door jam also?

djaemac · 04-19-2010, 02:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lexi

nicely done! and cheap at that!

but then a question pops up, what's the point of choosing a color at bmw anymore when you can just... do it yourself

thank you =)

very true about picking colors....i guess its all preference now..

djaemac · 04-19-2010, 02:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhantomMaxx

Cool. How long do you plan to keep it on?

maybe a year or so. The vinyl i chose last up to 4 years...

djaemac · 04-19-2010, 02:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tee212

looks like you had fun doing it, did you wrap up the door jam also?

it took alot of patience...LOL..

no, i just left 'em blue

Cni2i · 04-19-2010, 02:12 AM

Great job...especially considering you didn't have any experience in this area at all.

Eric the Ricer · 04-19-2010, 02:12 AM

Very clean job man. Now get a deal on a bulk supply of materials, and change colors every few months!

ramtin325i · 04-19-2010, 02:21 AM

Great job but you should of blended it with the color. Matte hood, roof and trunk would of looked sick!

ABSAUTOBODY · 04-19-2010, 02:22 AM

what happens when you carwash!?!?

alexanderlt · 04-19-2010, 02:36 AM

Thats so bada$$! Where'd you get all the stuff for it?

bmw-hoya · 04-19-2010, 02:38 AM

Dayyyymmmmm! Looks good!

BMW-NC · 04-19-2010, 02:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ABSAUTOBODY

what happens when you carwash!?!?

The car gets clean?

back to topic:
Our vinyl company stickers stay on the car just fine, I wxpect his to do the same....

ABSAUTOBODY · 04-19-2010, 03:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMW-NC

The car gets clean?

back to topic:
Our vinyl company stickers stay on the car just fine, I wxpect his to do the same....

=) ty

bsamoul · 04-19-2010, 03:41 AM

Looks really good man. Are you gonna put the side blinkers back on?

lux.sh · 04-19-2010, 03:57 AM

dude I don't care how it looks. Im clapping my hands for you. That is CRAZY.

As a car guy here too, I understand it takes huge amount of determination to do something like that. Props.

p.s: Im a fan of flat-black. good choice.

PUMPD · 04-19-2010, 07:12 AM

Good Job !!! Where can I buy the vinyl ? Can you post a more detailed DIY, with all the things you learned (tips) while wrapping your car.

virtualbong · 04-19-2010, 07:36 AM

I am sooooooo not patient enough to do something like this. Great job!

SpmnE9zero · 04-19-2010, 07:53 AM

GREAT job! This takes more patience than I have these days! I gave up trying to tint my DAMN! windows let alone wrapping the whole car!

MusclezMarinara · 04-19-2010, 08:31 AM

looks hott man great job!

Alpine Whiteboy · 04-19-2010, 08:45 AM

That. Is. F*ckin. RIDICULOUS!...

In a good way of course...

Props to you my man, now start advertising and make some $$$$$$

04-19-2010, 02:00 AM	#1
djaemac Private Drives: 330i, CLK 430 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: San Diego Posts: 51 iTrader: (0)	wrapped my car I vinyl wrapped my car flat black. This was just a random project i decided to pull the trigger on.... I had no experience whatsoever on vinyling anything. I just watched a few vids on youtube and got some advice from friends who do vinyl stickers. Here's a few pics of the process and outcome... Hate it, Love it...It was my first time... it took me 1 week and a day to complete....did a panel a day after work =) oh, and for the record... I didn't pay over $3000 bucks that most people pay to vinyl their car.... I paid about $120 for all materials... and i did all the work myself, with some help from my fiance from time to time =) enjoy DIY!!!! so this will be my little DIY since there's not really much to mention =) THINGS YOU NEED: Vinyl (about 25 yards give it take..also depending how much you mess up)... measurements for the vinyl i got were 25 yrds and 48 inches wide.... 2 qts of application fluid for the vinyl I used a felt squeegee so it wont scratch the surface of the vinyl. I also used a heat gun from Harbor Freight... $10 FTW!!!! 1 XActo knife and scissors AND LOTS OF PATIENCE!!!!! I fully detailed the car prior to vinyling including: - Full car wash, Clay bar'ed the car, and waxed just to be sure the car was flawless. It is important to make sure there are no specs of dust, bugs, dirt, or anything that would affect the vinyl application onto the car... Applying: 1. Start with the easiest parts first (for me, it was the roof, trunk, and hood) 2. Cut the vinyl to the size of the section you are going to start on and make sure you cut an oversized piece just in case for stretching the vinyl. 3. Spray the application fluid all over the area you are about to vinyl, and peel off the backing of the vinyl and apply it to the section. 4. Be sure you squeegee the vinyl slowly because if you're too rapid, that may cause creases and lots of air bubbles; this is where the heat gun comes into play. With creases, just lift the vinyl back up and heat the area which you creased, stretch the vinyl until there is no more crease and reapply the vinyl. ALWAYS SQUEEGEE FROM MIDDLE OUTWARD... 5. The vinyl may keep coming up at the edges, this is due to the application fluid. Let it dry and you may continue to squeegee the vinyl down. Now for the curvy areas!!!! This is where you may need some help from a person or two... FOR THE BUMPERS: 1. do not use application fluid when vinyling the bumpers or the most curvy areas of the car. If you do, it will be a Bich to apply it. 2. Use A LOT of stretch and heat for this application 3. Start middle outward; squeegee the middle area of the bumper on, and have someone pull on the vinyl away as you heat the vinyl and squeegee it down. Do NOT over heat or overstretch the vinyl as it may lose its flat black appearance. FYI: There will be a lot of bubbles on the sections where you do not spray the application fluid. NO WORRIES! try to get the bubbles as small as possible, and when you're done, let the car sit out in the sun and the bubbles will magically disappear!! (with the help of a needle from time to time) =) when starting this project, you'll learn more and more as you keep vinyling sections of your car. I learned as i went, and you all will too! (if you decide to tackle this) Try vinyling a piece a time. I vinyl'd a section a day because that took all my patience in a day.. In the end, you'll be satisfied. This is a pretty straightforward DIY, so if there's any other questions, feel free to PM me. Thanks again everyone!!!!! Attached Images Last edited by djaemac; 04-20-2010 at 08:47 PM. Reason: ADDED DIY*
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04-19-2010, 02:03 AM	#3
PhantomMaxx New Member Drives: E36 M3 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Bay Area Posts: 28 iTrader: (0)	Cool. How long do you plan to keep it on? __________________ E36 M3 & E92 335i

04-19-2010, 02:05 AM	#4
Tee212 All talk rollin on stocks Drives: none Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Riverside Posts: 1,793 iTrader: (3)	looks like you had fun doing it, did you wrap up the door jam also? __________________

04-19-2010, 02:12 AM	#8
Cni2i Lieutenant Colonel Drives: e92 335i 6MT Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: South OC Posts: 1,958 iTrader: (2)	Great job...especially considering you didn't have any experience in this area at all. __________________ '09 335i coupe BSM \| 6MT \| iDrive \| ZSP \| ZPP \| BMW Performance style 269s (19) \| BMW Performance Exhaust and Rear Diffuser \| Sirius \| Full Msprt \| M Perforated steering wheel, knob, and ebrake \| \| OEM M3 spoiler \|Clear Bra by Premier\| '07 Audi RS4 DG '05 BMW ZHP coupe AW 6MT

04-19-2010, 02:12 AM	#9
Eric the Ricer Private First Class Drives: 07 335i Sedan Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Alexandria, VA Posts: 105 iTrader: (1)	Very clean job man. Now get a deal on a bulk supply of materials, and change colors every few months! __________________ Cammed C5 - 91 318is - 07 335i

04-19-2010, 02:03 AM	#2
Lexi Private First Class Drives: E90 328i Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Canada, Hong Kong Posts: 158 iTrader: (0)	nicely done! and cheap at that! but then a question pops up, what's the point of choosing a color at bmw anymore when you can just... do it yourself

04-19-2010, 02:21 AM	#10
ramtin325i Private First Class Drives: 02 E46 ZSP Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Woodland Hills 818 Posts: 139 iTrader: (0)	Great job but you should of blended it with the color. Matte hood, roof and trunk would of looked sick! __________________

04-19-2010, 02:22 AM	#11
ABSAUTOBODY Private First Class Drives: 2008 6MT AW M3 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: South El Monte, 626 Posts: 102 iTrader: (0)	what happens when you carwash!?!?

04-19-2010, 02:36 AM	#12
alexanderlt New Member Drives: 2006 BMW 330i Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: So Cal Posts: 11 iTrader: (0)	Thats so bada$$! Where'd you get all the stuff for it?

04-19-2010, 02:38 AM	#13
bmw-hoya Captain Drives: Montego Blue 335i Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: San Francisco Posts: 635 iTrader: (0)	Dayyyymmmmm! Looks good! __________________ "Of course I do. I'm Leonard Shelby. I'm from San Francisco." (Memento) "Look, we are all reasonable men here. We don't have to give assurances as if we were lawyers." (Godfather: Part II)

04-19-2010, 03:41 AM	#16
bsamoul Major General Drives: E90 325i Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Walnut Creek, California Posts: 6,141 iTrader: (1)	Looks really good man. Are you gonna put the side blinkers back on? __________________ 2X 2006 BMW 325i [Electric Red & Mystic Blue] \| ZPP \| V1 \| Rear Fogs \| M3 Lip Spoiler \| EAS RemoteKey \| BMS Powerbox

04-19-2010, 03:57 AM	#17
lux.sh missing two turbos. Drives: very gently. Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Eugene, OR Posts: 4,244 iTrader: (12) View lux.sh's Garage	dude I don't care how it looks. Im clapping my hands for you. That is CRAZY. As a car guy here too, I understand it takes huge amount of determination to do something like that. Props. p.s: Im a fan of flat-black. good choice. __________________ 06 AW E90 330i ZPP/ZSP/Step/Expired Warranty : Hartge Front : ACS Rear : ACS Roof : BlackLines : Simota Intake : Carbon Fiber Interior Trim : Exhaust valve mod : : Luminics Yellows : 24% Charcoal : V1 Hardwired : Solaris Invisibulbs/LED interior :

04-19-2010, 07:12 AM	#18
PUMPD Private First Class Drives: 2007 335i Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: S.E. Florida Posts: 135 iTrader: (0)	vinyl Good Job !!! Where can I buy the vinyl ? Can you post a more detailed DIY, with all the things you learned (tips) while wrapping your car.

04-19-2010, 07:36 AM	#19
virtualbong Lieutenant Drives: 2007 E92 328xi Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 551 iTrader: (0)	I am sooooooo not patient enough to do something like this. Great job! __________________ Car = 2007 e92 328xi (Jet Black) Motorcycle = 2008 Ducati 848 (White)

04-19-2010, 07:53 AM	#20
SpmnE9zero semper ubi sub ubi Drives: JB 33ZERO Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: The Burgh Posts: 21,277 iTrader: (11) View SpmnE9zero's Garage	GREAT job! This takes more patience than I have these days! I gave up trying to tint my DAMN! windows let alone wrapping the whole car! __________________ JB 06 330xi l Premium l Cold l Navi l Logic7 l Linea Corse Strasse 19's l H&R Sport Springs l M-Tech Spoiler l UNDER CONSTRUCTION

04-19-2010, 08:31 AM	#21
MusclezMarinara Veinyyy Drives: 09 335i xdrive Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: North Jerze Posts: 1,329 iTrader: (2) View MusclezMarinara's Garage	looks hott man great job! __________________ "Lifes Tough Get a Helmet" M Sport Bumper, Black Perf Grills, M3 CF Lip, Suede Boots, Vent Boost Gauge, JB3, Muff Delete, Black Chrome Tips, DCI, AMS FMIC, M Sport Bumper, CF Roundels

04-19-2010, 08:45 AM	#22
Alpine Whiteboy Lieutenant Colonel Drives: AW 2010 335i xdrive Coupe Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Bronx, N.Y. Posts: 1,871 iTrader: (0)	That. Is. F*ckin. RIDICULOUS!... In a good way of course... Props to you my man, now start advertising and make some $$$$$$