Vinyl wrapping the whole car

[86GT635]

Im getting fed up with the shot paint on my 89. I started reading up on doing vinyl wraps. Looks like it is achievable. I can get enough vinyl to wrap the car for less than $200. People report the job takes 30-50 hours and is extremely frustrating.

Initially while imbibing I thought I should get a vibrant color and said "Yea! Mint green! That would look sweet!" Luckily I didn't order the product before I came to my senses. I think I finally came to my senses and have settled on using a metallic silver vinyl.

So, I'm gonna do it. I have some rust to grind out and fill with body filler, and the paint is peeling in places so there will likely be some texture showing through. But to have a single shade all over the car will be wonderful.

Anybody have experience with doing this on a car and have any good tips?

[Rapido5]

I've not done the whole car but I have wrapped the chrome bits. The stuff works. Are you wrapping it the same color? The only downside is when it nicks you can tell. But if it's the same color this shouldn't be an issue

[FernandoBunster]

Make sure you prep the car as well as if you were repainting it. Vinyl wrap will show every imperfection left behind on the car's surface.

[MylesPH1]

I thought about this - and even have some metallic brown wrap sitting in my garage - but my paint was rough. I realized that by the time I finished doing all the sanding and smoothing required to not make the vinyl lumpy and uneven, I might as well paint the car properly. I laid a piece on my trunk and it looked terrible, the paint underneath has to be smooth.

I think vinyl is a great idea if you want to change color on a car that's in decent shape, not as an alternative to proper bodywork and a respray.

[bmw42ofus]

Good luck, heard it is a pain to do, however, the results can be awesome! Pics please........

[pthm]

I believe the wrap also only has a 5 year life. then it becomeshard

[dbc011]

I can attest to everyone's comments on the vinyl showing any imperfections underneath. If you come over to Lucky's, I can show you some stuff he wrapped on a V-Rod that looks good. He's planning on doing the Mercedes coupe, but as stated, needs bodywork done before the wrap.

I know James over at Digital Efx if you want the pro's to do it. Not sure what it costs for the entire car, but he's good to work with. Give me a buzz if you want to go that route.

[TJC1]

C i v i c...

[86GT635]

C i v i c...

No doubt. But you gotta understand I made 24klast year before bonuses and side jobs. hahha

[Gunz635]

Hello 86gt635,
yes you can get the vinyl for less than $200 but to install it is quite difficult. its a very tedious and time consuming procedures. That is why some place charge between $1000 to $4000 for wrapping a car. If you mess up one panel, you have to redo it. I would consider if i were you do plasti dip it. Now they have metallic colors too and any custom color you need, even glossy. good luck :)



Im getting fed up with the shot paint on my 89. I started reading up on doing vinyl wraps. Looks like it is achievable. I can get enough vinyl to wrap the car for less than $200. People report the job takes 30-50 hours and is extremely frustrating.

Initially while imbibing I thought I should get a vibrant color and said "Yea! Mint green! That would look sweet!" Luckily I didn't order the product before I came to my senses. I think I finally came to my senses and have settled on using a metallic silver vinyl.

So, I'm gonna do it. I have some rust to grind out and fill with body filler, and the paint is peeling in places so there will likely be some texture showing through. But to have a single shade all over the car will be wonderful.

Anybody have experience with doing this on a car and have any good tips?

[Sprocket]

86, from where are you ordering it? What brand?

[86GT635]

Im going to try to get it locally. There is a shop that sells on ebay and have store in Louisville that sells 24" by 30 yards for $60, maybe they can order the 48" for twice that. Am going to go with oracal 651 silver grey metallic. Other wise, the best price I've found is almost $250 for 48x50 yards, enough to do 2 cars.

[GAflyer]

I've got some decent products from Eastwood.com. They have a pretty neat looking "thermoplastic" spray-on coating, "ElastiWrap" which is removable with solvent, or, if multiple coated, by peeling. Haven't tried it yet, but considering trying on the degraded black trim around my windows. Comes in rattle cans or larger quantities for spray rigs.

http://www.eastwood.com/paints/elastiwrap-coatings.html

If anybody has tried it, I'd like to know what you think. Thanks.