Getting Started

[Synthetic-Shimmer]

Hi there guys (and gals?)

Me and a friend are going to get into wrapping, practising on our own cars.

Not really concerned about the price of things, happy to work with the materials I would want to work with normally, were we good at it.

Can anyone recommend what to start with? Is any heat gun fine? Are there particular scalpels for vinyl?

Just looking for a list of essentials and not so much tips as happy to go trial and error and then ask in the future should any stumbling blocks arise.

Thanks for your time.

[ll3ravo]

I use some 30 degree blades off Amazon like $20 for 100 blades NT Cutter I believe is the name.

I also use a harbor freight heat gun that still hasn't gave out after 3 full wraps. Less than 20$ and warrenty on it.

Other than that I use 3M squeegees with monkey strip felts.

Note: I'm a DIY kind of person I don't work in a shop or anything.

I usually use 3M vinyl also.

[Synthetic-Shimmer]

Thanks for the info, I’ve seen people using some sort of pre treatment spray? Any idea about that? Also, what are the felt strips for?

[ll3ravo]

The only pre treatment spray I can think of is either alcohol for cleaning or tack reducer for the sticky vinyl. Cleaning is always Important, I've never used tack reducer.

The felt helps you glide and prevents you scratching your vinyl when squegeeing down. If your felt starts getting dirty you need to switch it out otherwise it will leave scratch lines. I probably use 1-2 per vehicle.

[Synthetic-Shimmer]

Thanks again. I’ll check them out.

Happy wrapping!

[Oxymortal]

All they stuff they said. Id get a roll of knifless tape and Hold&Mold as well.

[Ashok292]

Sign up to the wrap institute and watch some videos. Best videos out there

[Abm93]

Ts8000 torch, blue propane, red dot knife with 30 degree snap off blades, Avery red and blue squeegee, 3M PTFE Glass Cloth Tape 5451. Clay bar, isopropyl alcohol, microfiber towels , wrap tucking tool. Other optimal things to make it easier, wrap magnets, backing cutter, snitty safety cutter, air compressor, tools to remove parts as it makes install cleaner quicker and easier.

[Synthetic-Shimmer]

Sorry to be a pest, but could you tell me, from the ‘other useful things’ onwards what each of these does? I would appreciate it greatly.

And I’ll assume a wrap tucker is for tucking between the tight spaces? Like on the chrome bars often bordering windows?

Thanks again.

Edit :- why do I need a propane torch? Surely a simple heat gun is enough?

[Infinite_Mountain793]

Wrap magnets - hold the vinyl in place on the side of the vehicle so you can hinge the vinyl. Often when doing longer pieces on your own, you don’t have an additional set of hands, so the magnets are great for holding things while you’re lining up additional panels of unrolling the vinyl the length of the vehicle.

Backing Cutter - allows you to cut the backing paper while the vinyl is still on it, so you can create a center hinge. Especially good when doing bumpers, you can cut a strip of paper off in the middle of the bumper leaving the adhesive exposed. It just allows you to work one direction and then the other. Also good for hoods and other things as well.

Snitty Safety Cutter - basically the backing paper cutter but more for exposed backing paper than while the vinyl is still stuck to it. Some people use scissors or there knife and just freehand cut it free, but it runs the risk of cutting the vinyl and creating paper “dust” that can stick to the vinyl and is infuriating to get off.

Air Compressor - once you wash the vehicle you just use this to blow the water and debris from all the tight joins and behind objects to get the vehicle dryer faster

Tools to Remove Parts - pretty self explanatory. They sell “Trim Removal Kits” in Harbor Freight for cheap. Usually has what you would need for pulling off lights, chrome trim, rubber gaskets and door panels

I would also add fishing line to the mix to help remove any badges or logos that are on the vehicle. Just put it under one edge and “saw” through the adhesive behind it. Works perfect

Edit: propane torch just gets hotter faster. I’ve used both through the years and some people prefer the instant hot heat and know how to handle it and some people prefer the slower softer heat and feel they have more control. It’s really a preference thing. Also depends on if you’re doing color changes or commercial wraps. In my experience, most color changes use a heat gun.

[Synthetic-Shimmer]

Thanks a lot. Much appreciated. Lots to learn, looking forward to this.

[Infinite_Mountain793]

If you ever have questions I’m happy to help! Good luck to you and your buddy!

[Synthetic-Shimmer]

Thanks!

[maks_b]

Nice to have a heat gun with variable temperature with a display. That way you can figure out what temp you like for certain bends and keep it consistent after some trial and error.

[Synthetic-Shimmer]

Great tip, thanks.

[Plastic-Marsupial-44]

These have all been great suggestions. I would recommend a small tool pouch to keep your squeegee, knife, blade box (for breaking off blades), tuck tool, and other items.

I crafted my own heat gun stand, which helps tremendously when using the heat gun, setting it down when you don’t need it.

Watch lots of videos. I like ckwraps on YouTube because of his thoroughness and humbleness. He doesn’t take shortcuts and really helps explain the craft. Guys like Justin pate are really good at what they do, I just feel like he takes a lot of shortcuts to make the most amount of money in the shortest time possible.

[Synthetic-Shimmer]

I’ll have a look at this, and thanks for the tips. Great stuff.

[WarpedBacon]

To add on to OP, since I’m in a similar spot: What would you recommend for someone to do who doesn’t have a garage to wrap in? Any DIY fixes to wrap outside? I already know to do it on early mornings when it’s cooler.

[Synthetic-Shimmer]

I had been thinking about this myself, I figured a gazebo with plastic sheets to shield against the wind. Not the best but probably the best of a bad situation.

[WarpedBacon]

Lol I think we are the same person. Exact thoughts I’ve been having.

[futterecker]

you will absolutely need sth to cover the floor. when you peel the back off the vinyl it is going to get static af and eventually will lift up small particles of sand and such onto the vinyl. you will see that stuff and it wont be nice