Vinyl Wrap, sexy or not?

[geberhard]

So just picked upa new project (68 vert Firebird). Also picked up a LS, wheels and tires, so prioritizing the build and later on paint. I am seeing the 3M DIY matte finish kits for a full car wrap in the sub $400 range, possibly as cheap as $300 for the greta quality 3M 1080 material. A Google image search pops a lot of great wraps being done on killer dream rigs, from Lambos, to Ferraris and even muscle cars 

Anyone has experience with the kit? Yep, I know I should pony up for paint, blah blah, however the body is in very good shape, and I want to make her a driver sooner than later (i.e. drive and enjoy her on this year’s summer 

Yay, nay, opinions, experiences? Anyone has pics of wraps on Camaros, Chevelles, Stangs, etc and how they come out? Anyone has done the install themselves?

I am debating a matte silver or gray, but have not discarded a matte black yet ;)

Thanks!

Gui

http://www.satincars.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/matte-metallic-porsche.jpg

http://gallery.rennlist.com/albums/album732/IMG_2208.jpg

http://i826.photobucket.com/albums/zz187/docaam/370z/adbd9eba.jpg


http://i826.photobucket.com/albums/zz187/docaam/370z/36c7fbd6.jpg

[Track Junky]

If the cars pictured above are wrapped I'd say hell yeah, why not. The 1st pic of the Porsche looks best to me. And for $400....:thumbsup:

[CRCRFT78]

I agree. If the wraps can give you the qaulity shown in those pics I say do it. Of course it will still depend on the flaws or lack of on the Firebird body how good it comes out. I like pics 3 & 4. Do it.

[ironworks]

I bought the same wrap for 575 for my Camaro. They show the same results on the company I bough my stuff from, but mine is not that nice. We didours when it was kinda cold and that could have something to do with it. The wrap I put on my car looks good from 10ft away. But that stuff looks real nice in the pictures. If you are expecting those results you will have to pay a pro to install, if it's just a car you plan to beat the crap out of by all means save some dough enjoy it and not worry about anything else.

[geberhard]

Guys thanks! Yep, am hoping to have this as a short term solution that would free up funds for other more important mods, powertrain, frame suspension, etc. Priorities are make it go fast, but looking better than she sits does not hurt :)

I may give it a shot, contacted a seller and can get it for under $300 shipped more than enough material. Will keep you guys posted :)

Now debating between matte silver or matte black :) The interior is red, in perfect shape, the top is black, ok shape, but will be down for some time :)

[Boss 5.0]

Are you sure those are wraps? Lambos come from the factory with that exact finish on some of their models. PPG has a clear that reproduces it perfectly. D8113 in the Global line in case you are interested. I have sprayed it, pretty cool stuff.

[hifi875]

The wraps were very popular at sema. Mequiars has the adaptive and were doing some cars. Done right they look great. They said a good quality job runs 2500 and up. I would like to do my hood n trunk in satin black. To contrast w my silver paint on my camaro

[Flash68]

Wraps have been popular for awhile with the imports and Euro scene from what I can tell... would like to see more muscle cars done with them. For about $3-4k they can look damn good.

And that Gallardo in the top pic is definitely a wrap.

[rogue]

throw some concave wheels and some big yellow brembos on there for good measure

[rogue]

I see a matte black car nearly every time I drive around hollywood/studiocity/westside, and ever time I laugh because the the matte looks absolutely horrid unless properly taken care of.

Saw an LP lambo the other day with giant swirls all around the vinyl.

Matte black is as played out as spinners, at least in my opinion.

Other colors can be creative but overall its a very high maintenance decision. The guy I bought my p71 from did his truck and it looked fantastic the first day I saw it, this week I saw him, and he regrets it without a garage and a detailer every 2 weeks.

[ironworks]

I see a matte black car nearly every time I drive around hollywood/studiocity/westside, and ever time I laugh because the the matte looks absolutely horrid unless properly taken care of.

Saw an LP lambo the other day with giant swirls all around the vinyl.

Matte black is as played out as spinners, at least in my opinion.

Other colors can be creative but overall its a very high maintenance decision. The guy I bought my p71 from did his truck and it looked fantastic the first day I saw it, this week I saw him, and he regrets it without a garage and a detailer every 2 weeks.

I have had my wife's jeep wrapped for 1.5 years. It parks outside every night because it won't fit in the garage. Sure it get's dirty and needs detailer every 2 weeks, but that is because I park it out side everynight. It actually cleans up really easy with a hose.

A bunch of the big wax cleaner company's a dedicated wrap cleaner. It's pretty easy.

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt248/ironworksspeed/Her%20Jeep/Lastchancecanyon011.jpg
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt248/ironworksspeed/Her%20Jeep/Lastchancecanyon012.jpg

[elitecustombody]

I see a matte black car nearly every time I drive around hollywood/studiocity/westside, and ever time I laugh because the the matte looks absolutely horrid unless properly taken care of.

Saw an LP lambo the other day with giant swirls all around the vinyl.

Matte black is as played out as spinners, at least in my opinion.

Other colors can be creative but overall its a very high maintenance decision. The guy I bought my p71 from did his truck and it looked fantastic the first day I saw it, this week I saw him, and he regrets it without a garage and a detailer every 2 weeks.


any color paint or vinyl,matte or gloss if not washed for a while will look like crap,

OP, keep in mind,it's not that easy to wrap a car, I'd have a pro do it,otherwise you'll end up with alot of relief cuts,wrinkles,e.t.c.

[crazycarguy22]

My .02 is that you go for it. Your reason is for the wrap is a good one, it is just temporary until you finish your performance upgrades and have money/time for a real paint job. It is a a relatively cheap way to completely change the look of the car.

I would go with matte silver/gray. Also, I have read plenty of forums where people have done the wraps themselves and while it is a challenge as long as you have the patience and the appropriate tools it can be done. Just take it one section of the car at a time. From what I have seen it definitely seems to be a 3 person job to do correctly. 2 stretching/holding the wrap and the 3rd applying it.

[GregWeld]

I've got a Sata 4000....

It's how you change the color on a car.....:rofl: :woot:

[CMCResto.com]

Yeah I've heard installed wraps are like $1500 and up. I've seen a bunch of race cars with these wraps and they look great at 10-15 feet but up close not so much.

[mexMan]

I have had my wife's jeep wrapped for 1.5 years. It parks outside every night because it won't fit in the garage. Sure it get's dirty and needs detailer every 2 weeks, but that is because I park it out side everynight. It actually cleans up really easy with a hose.

A bunch of the big wax cleaner company's a dedicated wrap cleaner. It's pretty easy.

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt248/ironworksspeed/Her%20Jeep/Lastchancecanyon011.jpg
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt248/ironworksspeed/Her%20Jeep/Lastchancecanyon012.jpg

Well your wife has some fun that's for sure. Nice wrap.

If you're sure about it go for it, it would look nice that's for sure.

[groovyjay]

A friend of mine does this and I asked him to work his magic on my dad's 65 coupe Corvette (without him knowing! :lol: ). You can imagine my dad's look when I took the covers of it after it'd been gone for 2 days... :D

Thankfully he loved it... So the wrap stays on.

Here's a link showing how it was done.

http://c3-r.com/c3rimages/65wrap/

[GregWeld]

A friend of mine does this and I asked him to work his magic on my dad's 65 coupe Corvette (without him knowing! :lol: ). You can imagine my dad's look when I took the covers of it after it been gone for 2 days... :D

Thankfully he loved it... So the wrap stays on.

Here's a link showing how it was done.

http://c3-r.com/c3rimages/65wrap/



You can take that NCRS placard off the front bumper now! They see that after what you've done and they'll cancel your membership.... :unibrow: :D


That wrap looks FANTASTIC! WOW! Super kool.

[GregWeld]

I have had my wife's jeep wrapped for 1.5 years.


http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt248/ironworksspeed/Her%20Jeep/Lastchancecanyon012.jpg


Your wife has a very nice looking rear end.....


:willy: :willy: :willy: :rofl:

[jocko124]

A friend of mine does this and I asked him to work his magic on my dad's 65 coupe Corvette (without him knowing! :lol: ). You can imagine my dad's look when I took the covers of it after it'd been gone for 2 days... :D

Thankfully he loved it... So the wrap stays on.

Here's a link showing how it was done.

http://c3-r.com/c3rimages/65wrap/

Looks great. Where does your friend work?

[elitecustombody]

A friend of mine does this and I asked him to work his magic on my dad's 65 coupe Corvette (without him knowing! :lol: ). You can imagine my dad's look when I took the covers of it after it'd been gone for 2 days... :D

Thankfully he loved it... So the wrap stays on.

Here's a link showing how it was done.

http://c3-r.com/c3rimages/65wrap/


it turned out great:thumbsup: ,just have him fix the vinyl on side louvers before dirt gets in there

http://c3-r.com/c3rimages/65wrap/images/vantaa3_jpg.jpg

[geberhard]

Cool guys and thanks for the info!

Yep I am piece mill putting together a LS from the bare block up, so powertrain is teh priority right now. I just picked up a vert 68 with a crappy paint job but decent enough body. This will be the lab rat:


She currently has a Chevy 307 that was swapped in :( Runs good and all, but it is a 307 and I do not want to keep it that way for long. Fun to drive, but I am spoiled with a juiced 400 on my other bird, so thsi has got to go :D

Mocking up a couple sets of wheels:

Foose Nitrous 18's is not a go, too busy:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v256/geberhard/IMGP1844.jpg

Winna, 18/20's

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v256/geberhard/IMGP1843.jpg?t=1305044630

In!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v256/geberhard/Firebird%20vert/photo.jpg

I ordered and just received yesterday the 3M 1080 Dinoc Vinyl which is supposedly one of the best out there for car wraps. Will post up pictures on the process and keep you posted on how teh install goes. I am far from a pro vinyl installer, but hopefully can make it work well enough.

Priorities right now:

1- engine
2- improve the car looks
3- safety :P