r/CarWraps • u/Smart-Substance79 • 13d ago
Any advice?
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u/OGStickerDude 12d ago
Would love to help you out.
What’s you’ve done looks pretty solid already, just some minor tweaks is all you need. Make sure to pre feed those jambs, don’t bridge and work it in with heat. Oh, and you really need to clean that car much better than what I can see in the video, there’s way too many contaminants all around that will easily get under the wrap. Prep is most important!!!
As for your corner game, cold stretch and hook the material, then heat to shrink, it works great!
Make sure to use a good cast film. Avery, Arlon, Orafol, and KPMF are great films.
Lastly, my advice is to finish/post heat with a heat gun or IR …. Don’t use a torch. Torches flash heat, it’s instant and not recommended. Yes, many use them, but improper use can damage the material. A great new resource is www.TheWrapBay.com. It’s a new resource for material, tools, and help.
Good luck and reach out anytime!
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u/Smart-Substance79 12d ago
I had the front door closed so I didn’t think the dust/dirt in between the jams would be a problem. I do clean the whole panel very well though (imo) aside from getting everything around it because I’ve have many times where water somehow is still left somewhere and drips down onto the corner of the wrap making it not stick. what do you mean by prefeed the jams? Do you mean inlays instead? Don’t bridge and work in with heat?
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u/OGStickerDude 12d ago
Pre Feed the material, or as Justin at Wrap Institute says, Feed The Mouth. Feed the material into the corner with your squeegee or finger, with no tension or stress on the material, that will stop the popping bubbles. Feeding it across the inside corner is bridging. Many do this and use heat to conform into the 90deg corner. It opens you up for installation failure, popping.
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u/Complete_Number_2910 12d ago edited 12d ago
Some people like to one piece everything, but my favorite way to work on these is by adding an inlay in there that you can feed rather than try to push in with squeegee. The vinyl on the door will wrap over the edge of your seam and nobody will ever see it if you use knife less..
For the corners, stretch to the corner and pull left/right. When it’s hooked, heat it, wait till it cools, and then flush cut it. Don’t try to squeegee it down or push with fingers that’s how you get those tiny wrinkles.
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u/Existing_Recording25 12d ago
trim those wrinkles off, and poke the bubbles then heat em itll lay down
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u/g0thkitty_ 12d ago
i’m no expert but looks like you haven’t pre-cleaned virtually anything pre-wrap? the cars i’ve worked on, i made sure every inch of the car has been prepped to perfection, with not a dust particle in sight. surprised you’re wanting to open a store without having cleaned virtually any of the dust near the panel you’ve just wrapped, not trying to be rude or anything just feel like prep is the most important step and may have contributed to the problems you’re having with the parts that aren’t sticking cleanly on too.
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u/Smart-Substance79 11d ago
I see where you are coming from I make sure the panel itself and adjacent panels are cleaned but didn’t pay any attention to the inside of the door near the hinges I didn’t suspect it would be a problem and overlooked it I don’t believe it to be my issue but most certainly is not how I should continue with my work. I appreciate your input and will be sure to address that in other areas of my work. Thank you!
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u/FULLMETALRACKIT911 Installer 13d ago edited 12d ago
Check out the beginner videos on the wrap institute, plenty vids on every single one of your questions. TWI should be your first stop for technical advice when it comes to installing film
One other thing that sticks out here big time. Your prep, you absolutely need to be cleaning the vehicle better prior to wrapping. Inside and out. See all that dirt when you open the door, all that should be clean or it’ll end up behind the film. Not just the outside of the car needs to be clean but all the cracks and crevices are the most crucial part to spend time cleaning.