Lessons Learned from vinyl wrapping! - BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum

FrozenM5 · 05-08-2012, 10:46 PM

Post em up!

I know a lot of people are interested in taking the DIY plunge and a lot of costly knowledge could be disseminated here!

balgopi · 05-08-2012, 11:57 PM

Ive only wrapped my interior but I would say to someone get use to wrapping around the corners and grooves. Also practice on something else because you will need to slightly stretch the vinyl to manipulate.

So PRACTICE PRACTICE on something before you do it on your car I guess.

Vesar · 05-09-2012, 07:56 AM

Been wraping for long time and yeah practise is really what you need and a lot of patience.

FrozenM5 · 05-09-2012, 01:05 PM

Patience is what has got me by the balls. I don't have it so I pay people for theirs.

djaemac · 05-10-2012, 12:17 PM

alot of patience, a keg, and swear jar...hahaha

take your time and it'll be beautiful

ramirez330i · 05-11-2012, 10:04 PM

Practice, precision, and whole lot of patience. Your work will get better and easier with experience.

mashimarho · 05-12-2012, 12:48 AM

Never do it again and pay someone else.

MyBoyBlue · 06-03-2012, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mashimarho

Never do it again and pay someone else.

+1

E90Company · 06-03-2012, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mashimarho

Never do it again and pay someone else.

LOL well said, I can't wrap

Dark_Knight_335 · 06-03-2012, 05:58 PM

I could tell you some lessons learned from trying to plasti dip a freaking badge

I can only imagine the nightmares of trying to vinyl wrap..good god! This is my first and last type of project of this nature..

ChasVS · 06-03-2012, 06:00 PM

Come on folks, help him out. Patience and Practice are a given. How do you stretch it around the corners to make it smooth? Do you heat the areas slightly before stretching? Do you hold the corners in place with anything as you go? Those are real lessons learned or techniques that would be a bit useful.

Black Magic · 06-04-2012, 03:38 AM

Heat the areas that need to be stretched especially round the corners. Found that a hair dryer works perfectly. If you get any creases the pull the wrap back of in those areas and heat it... the creases will come right off.

Cisco661 · 06-04-2012, 04:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dark_Knight_335

I could tell you some lessons learned from trying to plasti dip a freaking badge

I can only imagine the nightmares of trying to vinyl wrap..good god! This is my first and last type of project of this nature..

Lol. Saw your plasti dip post. I wouldn't give up. Your first coat was way too heavy. I'm looking to do my chrome trim wrapped with shadow line vinyl.

Dark_Knight_335 · 06-04-2012, 05:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cisco661

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dark_Knight_335

I could tell you some lessons learned from trying to plasti dip a freaking badge

I can only imagine the nightmares of trying to vinyl wrap..good god! This is my first and last type of project of this nature..

Lol. Saw your plasti dip post. I wouldn't give up. Your first coat was way too heavy. I'm looking to do my chrome trim wrapped with shadow line vinyl.

Haha, yea well thanks for the encouragement bud, but I think my trunk lid needs some time to recover from the battle scars it suffered at my hand, else I fear my car might revolt against me!

Thinking about a debadge anyhow...or one of those nifty Bimmian gloss black deals. Then I can practice all I want to by sticking my old badge on some useless piece of sheet metal!

XYR03 · 06-04-2012, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChasVS

Come on folks, help him out. Patience and Practice are a given. How do you stretch it around the corners to make it smooth? Do you heat the areas slightly before stretching? Do you hold the corners in place with anything as you go? Those are real lessons learned or techniques that would be a bit useful.

Well its kind of hard to give how to on what to do becuase ever curve is different and every car is different. Even wrapping the left panel is different from the right panel. There's a lot of things involved in wraping then just a heat gun. Vinyl will react different to the direction that you pull. I doubt anybody would remember exactly where and how the much they stretched at each section of the car. The OP needs to stick a piece of vinyl on the flatest part of the car and work from there. Not much heat is needed since stretching too much will reveal the paint underneath the car which is pretty bad if you are wrapping a dark color car with a light color vinyl. Dont be afraid to fuck up on small spots such as fenders and doors. Learn from your mistakes, remove all the parts that in the way so you can tuck. Be alittle bit smarter than the vinyl, you're the boss...you pretty much have control over how everything turns out. Know where you stretched so you can compansate the stretch on the opposit direction. Not to piss you off but when it comes down to everything its just straight PATIENCE AND PRACTICE. Also, keep in mind wrapping a panel and trims on a weekend is easy...but wrapping a whole car on a weekend is a whole different story. lol Have fun wraping.

GRLPWR · 06-04-2012, 11:27 AM

If you plan to keep it on for a while (or forever), use 3m primer first. Great adhesive (I used the brush-on kind, guess spray works just as good).

ramirez330i · 06-04-2012, 11:59 AM

for corners, have the vinyl just over the surface in the air, holding it up with your hands. heat it a little bit to get just enough stretch, then pulling at 45 degree angles from a center point with both hands (forms a sort of triangle) will allow you to take any small creases away from the curved area and onto the flat regions, which are then really easy to work out.

That probably made no sense.... but hope it helps

GRLPWR · 06-04-2012, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ramirez330i

for corners, have the vinyl just over the surface in the air, holding it up with your hands. heat it a little bit to get just enough stretch, then pulling at 45 degree angles from a center point with both hands (forms a sort of triangle) will allow you to take any small creases away from the curved area and onto the flat regions, which are then really easy to work out.

That probably made no sense.... but hope it helps

Makes perfect sense. Wish I had thought about this or read it somewhere when I was doing mine.

EYE4SPEED · 06-04-2012, 06:24 PM

Somethings it is better to pay to have done. I wonder how long this fad will last... will we see vinyl wrap stores pop up? Would be cool if they did it like the free windshield repair guys setup at the grocery store. When i get sick of my color, would love to do a matte something.

mcrazyrider · 06-04-2012, 08:44 PM

Jus t finished wraping my interior trim, it does take s lot of patience to get it done , it not that bad at all. Start with the smaller pieces first so you cam get some practice

FrozenM5 · 06-05-2012, 04:16 AM

This thread is progressing nicely, a lot of information to help people learn from your mistakes!

Thanks!

Cisco661 · 06-05-2012, 05:18 AM

this should be helpful to some that will wrap interior. i got this from another member who did his.

05-08-2012, 10:46 PM	#1
FrozenM5 Coach Drives: M5 and E93 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: New York Posts: 167 iTrader: (0)	Lessons Learned from vinyl wrapping! Post em up! I know a lot of people are interested in taking the DIY plunge and a lot of costly knowledge could be disseminated here!
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05-09-2012, 07:56 AM	#3
Vesar Lieutenant Drives: 320i Ε92 M-Sport Join Date: May 2011 Location: Thessaloniki, Greece Posts: 452 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 BMW 320i [5.00]	Been wraping for long time and yeah practise is really what you need and a lot of patience. __________________ GP Thunder 8500k AE \| Yellow Fogs \| Plasti Dipped Badge \| Matte Grilles \| LED Interior \| Carbon/Black Emblems \| ///M Sport Package

05-10-2012, 12:17 PM	#5
djaemac Oh haiz Drives: slllloooooowwww Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: 661/619 Posts: 448 iTrader: (4) Garage List 2008 Nissan frontie ... [0.00] 2005 Toyota corolla [0.00] 2000 Mercedes c280 ... [0.00] 2004 Mercedes CLK 430 [0.00] 2001 Honda d17 turbo [0.00] 2011 Range rover sp ... [0.00] 2010 BMW 335i [0.00]	alot of patience, a keg, and swear jar...hahaha take your time and it'll be beautiful __________________ Wrapped My E90---->http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=376442 -------> my crimson red e92 http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=501945

05-11-2012, 10:04 PM	#6
ramirez330i MATTE Drives: Frozen Grey e90 Join Date: May 2011 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 511 iTrader: (6)	Practice, precision, and whole lot of patience. Your work will get better and easier with experience. __________________ Full Mod List: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=647519 A-RAM WRAPS- VINYL WRAPPING SERVICES IN HOUSTON http://imageshack.us/g/818/dsc02742e.jpg/ Matte Frozen Grey e90: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=709625[SIGPIC]

05-12-2012, 12:48 AM	#7
mashimarho Boss Drives: e92 LCI 335i xDrive™ Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Grand Rapids, michigan Posts: 5,818 iTrader: (27) Garage List 2012 BMW 335i xDrive [5.00]	Never do it again and pay someone else. __________________ -Sean. 360 FORGED///DynamikiLLu51ions///ER///BMS///KW///VRSF///ARKYM///DD///CYBA///STOPTECH///BMW Performance /// My Progress: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=770326

05-08-2012, 11:57 PM	#2
balgopi AC Milan Rossenari Drives: 2007 328i Sedan Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: U.S.A Posts: 135 iTrader: (0)	Ive only wrapped my interior but I would say to someone get use to wrapping around the corners and grooves. Also practice on something else because you will need to slightly stretch the vinyl to manipulate. So PRACTICE PRACTICE on something before you do it on your car I guess.

05-09-2012, 01:05 PM	#4
FrozenM5 Coach Drives: M5 and E93 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: New York Posts: 167 iTrader: (0)	Patience is what has got me by the balls. I don't have it so I pay people for theirs.

06-03-2012, 05:58 PM	#10
Dark_Knight_335 Came to the N55 Darkside Drives: 2011 335 E93 M-Sport Join Date: May 2010 Location: NY/NJ Posts: 5,784 iTrader: (17)	I could tell you some lessons learned from trying to plasti dip a freaking badge I can only imagine the nightmares of trying to vinyl wrap..good god! This is my first and last type of project of this nature.. __________________ Assorted E9x bushings, 200$ local pickup or 225$ shipped! http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...2#post13995632

06-03-2012, 06:00 PM	#11
ChasVS Colonel Drives: 2007 E92 335i Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Central FL Posts: 2,248 iTrader: (9)	Come on folks, help him out. Patience and Practice are a given. How do you stretch it around the corners to make it smooth? Do you heat the areas slightly before stretching? Do you hold the corners in place with anything as you go? Those are real lessons learned or techniques that would be a bit useful. __________________ My speeding isn't the problem. It's the Slow Folks ahead of me that cause accidents!

06-04-2012, 03:38 AM	#12
Black Magic New Member Drives: 2006 E90 320i Motorsport Join Date: May 2012 Location: South Africa Posts: 5 iTrader: (0)	Heat the areas that need to be stretched especially round the corners. Found that a hair dryer works perfectly. If you get any creases the pull the wrap back of in those areas and heat it... the creases will come right off.

06-04-2012, 11:27 AM	#16
GRLPWR Lieutenant Drives: '07 335i Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Durham, NC Posts: 480 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 335i [0.00]	If you plan to keep it on for a while (or forever), use 3m primer first. Great adhesive (I used the brush-on kind, guess spray works just as good). __________________ http://s745.photobucket.com/albums/x...view=slideshow

06-04-2012, 11:59 AM	#17
ramirez330i MATTE Drives: Frozen Grey e90 Join Date: May 2011 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 511 iTrader: (6)	for corners, have the vinyl just over the surface in the air, holding it up with your hands. heat it a little bit to get just enough stretch, then pulling at 45 degree angles from a center point with both hands (forms a sort of triangle) will allow you to take any small creases away from the curved area and onto the flat regions, which are then really easy to work out. That probably made no sense.... but hope it helps __________________ Full Mod List: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=647519 A-RAM WRAPS- VINYL WRAPPING SERVICES IN HOUSTON http://imageshack.us/g/818/dsc02742e.jpg/ Matte Frozen Grey e90: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=709625[SIGPIC]

06-04-2012, 06:24 PM	#19
EYE4SPEED Ex-Quattro Driver Drives: E90 335d M-Sport LCI Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: West Coast... of Michigan Posts: 1,984 iTrader: (21)	Somethings it is better to pay to have done. I wonder how long this fad will last... will we see vinyl wrap stores pop up? Would be cool if they did it like the free windshield repair guys setup at the grocery store. When i get sick of my color, would love to do a matte something. __________________ FS: HRE Center Caps http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...post13972317l] FS: OEM Kidneys http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=783447

06-04-2012, 08:44 PM	#20
mcrazyrider Second Lieutenant Drives: 08 E90 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Orlando FL Posts: 219 iTrader: (1) Garage List 08 E90 [0.00]	Jus t finished wraping my interior trim, it does take s lot of patience to get it done , it not that bad at all. Start with the smaller pieces first so you cam get some practice __________________

06-05-2012, 04:16 AM	#21
FrozenM5 Coach Drives: M5 and E93 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: New York Posts: 167 iTrader: (0)	This thread is progressing nicely, a lot of information to help people learn from your mistakes! Thanks!

06-05-2012, 05:18 AM	#22
Cisco661 Cisco661 Drives: 2006 Monaco Blue 330I Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: California Posts: 831 iTrader: (15) Garage List 2006 BMW 330i [0.00]	this should be helpful to some that will wrap interior. i got this from another member who did his. Attached Images __________________ 2006 330i/ Monaco Blue/ ZSP/ ZPP/ I Drive/ Burl Walnut Trim/ Steptronic/ Xenon Adaptives/ Logic7/ CF Mirror Caps/ Matte Black Grills

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