Vinyl wrap the grill suround and/or bumpers?

[DillonC]

Has anyone? 3m makes all different colors of wrap one of which is a gloss black metallic that looks almost identical to the tuxedo black paint. here is a picture of the two beside each other.



the top is the 3m and the bottom is factory tuxedo black paint.

Has anyone used this stuff? seems like a great sollution to having to buy a new grill surround and bumpers then having them painted.

If nobody has used it i may be the first. i just ordered about 10 ft. of it and plan on doing it on my truck. I'll put up a write up or something if everything goes right.

[TripleE44]

Have you ever actually wrapped something before?

[DillonC]

Originally Posted by TripleE44

Have you ever actually wrapped something before?

I've played around with the stuff before. its a lot like window tint. I believe doing the bumpers and grill surround will be easy. the only spots I can see as difficult would be over the superduty letters but it should stick no problem.

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[TripleE44]

Wrapping vinyl I've used isn't like the tint I've ever used(granted that tint has only been the cheap vato zone stuff). But with that being said, the curves will throw a curve ball at you if you're thinking it's going to be like tinting windows.

You're going to need a heat gun at least(some guys use a torch), and a good deal of patience. Things like the outer corners of the grille surround where there's a compound curve won't be easy. The stuff will want to wrinkle up as soon as it starts to curve, and you've got to use the heat to convince it to lay down flat.

I used to work for a company that mainly made decals for MX bikes, and we did some wraps. I tried, and was unsuccessful because of my lack of patience. It's really difficult, but the guys that can do it well make it look easy. I'd look up some videos on youtube so you get an idea of how they do it.

Once you get it on though, if it matches well, it'll be a great alternative to paint I would think. Wouldn't really have to worry about the rock chips or anything.

[DillonC]

yeah im not sure about the curves yet but I know I'm definitely going to need to get a heat gun.

I've seen a thread online where a guy that has never touched the stuff wraps his whole bmw. it looked flawless after he got done so that gives me a little confidence.

once the stuff comes in I'll set a whole day aside to attempt it so I can take my time. im usually a pretty patient person.

chips are a main reason why I want to do it. I know that as soon as I get them painted I would probably get chips everywhere in the paint.

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[DillonC]

well the stuff came in today and it looks good so far



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[Six0~Stroker]

Can't wait to see the outcome!!!

[DillonC]

Originally Posted by Six0~Stroker

Can't wait to see the outcome!!!

Well i got bored and did the grill surround today. it took about 4 hours from taking the grill off for the first time to installing it again. in the process i cut all across one finger on the razor sharp radiatior fins, and stabbed my index finger almost to the bone with a flat screwdriver trying to pop out some plastic rivets in the grill .

Before i go on i will say you have to be pretty dedicated to attempt this. I nearly gave up before i got even a quarter of the way through the surround, but i'm glad i didn't. After i got backed into a corner with wrinkles i realized how much heat helps. I used a hair dryer and it worked perfectly, just heat up the wrinkled area then stretch the vinyl over the part. The stuff stretches pretty good. After i figured out the whole heat thing it all went pretty easy.

So anywho here is a picture of the finished product. sorry for the crappy picture but i'll get some more tomorrow when it's daylight.

[Korx]

looks good!

[DillonC]

thanks, it wasn't too bad for the first real thing i have wrapped.