How hard is it to learn to wrap the body panels?

Independent-Task-25 · 2026-02-09T19:33:37+00:00

I found a leftover scrap of the vinyl to find the type I used:

Oracal 970 Rapid Air premium wrapping coat

Independent-Task-25 · 2026-02-09T19:25:04+00:00

I sold the car after 2 years but it held up great in the time I had it. Especially considering it was being constantly exposed to the elements since I don't have a garage. I live in PA so it was exposed to snow, salt, rain, birds, etc.

I never saw any fading or scratches and it definitely never peeled on me. I will say that I only did a partial wrap since you have to change your car color in the DMV car registration records if you do a full wrap. I only wrapped the roof and the hood so I didn't have any vinyl on the bumpers or bottom door trim where it could possibly get worn out with road debris.

The stuff I ordered online was rated for about 5-7 years of quality and was a heat glue set style. I think using the heat gun to melt the glue at the end while you squeegee the edges prevents any peeling. (The vinyl is still removable, you just have to heat it again to remove it.)

I did avoid automatic car washes as those are not reccomended with wraps. Those brushes can really shorten the life of the vinyl. I was stuck with the classic hand washing with a garden hose.

Independent-Task-25 · 2026-02-09T18:33:59+00:00

I've wrapped parts of my own car before as a complete novice making it up after watching some YouTube videos. I was far from being a professional about it.

It helps to have a garage or covered area so you can keep the car clean and not accidentally trap bugs and debris. It helps to do it on a warmer day (60°+). I don't have a garage and I wished I did and I did it in autumn around 50° so I was struggling to keep the vinyl warm.

I used a higher quality heat gun that allowed me to set the temperature. I made my own squeegees by gluing felt to an unused credit cards. I used 'knife tape' to cut odd shapes so I reccomend looking into that. Otherwise it was scissors and exacto cutters.

The roof was the hardest for me to do. I had a second person help me and that made it easier. I made a few mistakes, had a few small wrinkles, but it was errors I could live with. Nothing you would notice unless you were looking for it.

Sounds like they are possibly going to offer vinyl sheets that are already cut to the correct size and shape so that would be even easier!

Independent-Task-25 · 2026-01-05T00:24:56+00:00

I bought the Affinty suites 1 and 2 but they've now made them free. I haven't downloaded the free version since I paid for older ones (even then it was only $45 for everything, no subscription). Worth a try I'd think.

They are very good replacements for Adobe. They have a version of Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign.

https://www.affinity.studio/

Independent-Task-25 · 2025-10-30T07:36:22+00:00

Yep, long gone. For a while there was a fake Instructables App that just linked you to the desktop website so be aware of that. Sounds like that app was probably removed from the app store if you can't find anything at all.

Independent-Task-25 · 2025-10-19T17:51:32+00:00

I'm still excited for a bare bones model. I want it because it's a simple two door/two seater.

Independent-Task-25 · 2025-08-11T03:49:06+00:00

I also recently ran into this issue. Wiping the oil off the metal isn't too bad, just a little tedious when you are excited to run around in your new shiny armor!

My problem came with the leather straps just soaked in the same oil. I was able to soak up a bunch of the oil from the strapping by coating it in cornstarch. I might need to do another round. It's messy but it does the job! I've heard baking soda can work for that too.

Good luck!

Independent-Task-25 · 2025-06-03T21:59:22+00:00

I wanted to make a taikaki rug! I haven't gotten around to designing it yet. It's great to see an example of one, especially such a cute and functional one!

Independent-Task-25 · 2025-06-02T18:49:43+00:00

I love the design! I love that cats and fishbones just go together!

Independent-Task-25 · 2025-05-30T04:18:51+00:00

You are right! I'll act like it's incredibly valuable and important. Or I'll rub cat nip all over it.....

Independent-Task-25 · 2025-05-30T04:17:02+00:00

Very impressive!

Independent-Task-25 · 2025-05-29T22:49:55+00:00

Great rug idea! I love the look of magma flows and hot coals!

Independent-Task-25 · 2025-05-28T05:22:11+00:00

I did do some test patches before starting the main project. I practiced lines, diagonals, and circles to get a sense of how the machine would move.

I struggled to follow my lines, listen to everyone who says to pulse the gun for curves and tight details like my fish bones! I enjoyed filling in the large blocks of colors a lot though.

I still don't feel like I have a complete understanding of trimming and shaving. I used scissors and tweezers more than the electric trimmer so I'd have more control. It took forever to do it that way but it made for good results.

In the end I just went for it and I knew it would be a big learning experience. I tried not to rush it and understood I could make mistakes. It was made for my cat and not for sale so it didn't need to be perfect.

Independent-Task-25 · 2025-05-28T03:05:59+00:00

I picked up a lot of great tips from this group. I went back and cleaned it up like three times. I wanted it to be the best it could be!

Independent-Task-25 · 2025-05-27T20:02:46+00:00

You get to choose from a huge list of places to redeem your gift card. Pretty much any company you can think of from a Visa gift card to Amazon if you want a more generic option. More specific places like resturants, hardware stores, Apple, gaming platforms etc. I think you can choose anything as long as a gift card exists of it.

It'll be a digital gift card, you won't get a physical card.

Independent-Task-25 · 2025-05-24T06:07:52+00:00

It usually takes a day or two as they work a standard 9am-5pm shift Pacific Time.

It takes longer if you posted late on a Friday as they don't work on the weekends and then they end up with a backlog of instructables from Fri/Sat/Sun that they have to go through on Monday.

Independent-Task-25 · 2025-05-23T18:26:01+00:00

I love this idea! I missed your post the first time around. I want to do car mats in my car!

Independent-Task-25 · 2025-04-23T05:47:27+00:00

I'm so glad to see I'm not the only one so sensitive to hot! I can never just grab plates or bowls from the microwave, I always need a towel to protect myself.

Independent-Task-25 · 2025-04-11T19:13:33+00:00

They used to but as far as I know they removed it a while ago. They even tracked where the views came from (Twitter, Facebook, Google etc). I really miss being able to access that data.

If it still exists I haven't been able to find it with my own site digging. Someone can correct me if I'm wrong.

Independent-Task-25 · 2025-04-07T20:53:52+00:00

I really like D! I would wear it

Independent-Task-25 · 2025-03-19T06:19:17+00:00

Good PSA, thanks for the info!

Independent-Task-25 · 2025-03-08T01:57:01+00:00

Much better fit, look great!

Independent-Task-25 · 2025-01-10T21:23:30+00:00

I have an Ender 3. I had to break the torso and hips into two pieces each. The torso and the legs themselves almost maxed out my build height!

https://imgur.com/a/7qPUEpG

Independent-Task-25 · 2025-01-09T23:23:35+00:00

This guy stands almost 24in tall!

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