Instead of painting, has anyone tried vinyl wrap?

[Mastiff107]

I was assuming you were talking about the full body wrap. Actually, I considered it. I also considered wearing a speedo for the summer for my 64 year old 270lb frame. I decided not to do both for exactly the same reasons:

#1 It just doesn't seem right.
#2 I'm doubtful that was the application for which they were intended.
#3 I'm not sure how well they work on compound curves.
#4 Durability is a concern.
#5 If you need to take them will permanent marks be left?
#6 Others may laugh at the way it looks after final application.

Or, I may have just overthought the whole thing and should just go ahead and do it!

[NewYorkGuy]

Originally Posted by Mastiff107

I was assuming you were talking about the full body wrap. Actually, I considered it. I also considered wearing a speedo for the summer for my 64 year old 270lb frame. I decided not to do both for exactly the same reasons:

#1 It just doesn't seem right.
#2 I'm doubtful that was the application for which they were intended.
#3 I'm not sure how well they work on compound curves.
#4 Durability is a concern.
#5 If you need to take them will permanent marks be left?
#6 Others may laugh at the way it looks after final application.

Or, I may have just overthought the whole thing and should just go ahead and do it!

#1 What seems right for a kit car?
#2 and #3 The Cobra shape is perfect for a complete vinyl wrap. Shape
has no hard edges, roof, or bumpers. It should be one of the
easiest cars to do.
#4 I've been told between 5 to 10 years.
#5 Vinyl does not damage underneath paint
#6 A good vinyl job looks like paint.

[KevinW]

We discussed this sometime ago over this side of the pond.

From recollection of the thread, and my own observations.....a really good complete body wrap, professionally applied, will not be much cheaper than a medium quality paint job. Several guys tried it themselves adding vynil stripes at home, and got really pi$$ed dealing with the compound curves over the trunk area. I have also seen what happens after a while on such 'wrap cars'/..... it starts to peel off, and look unsightly....seen it on a few hot rods that 'skimped' on paint.

[Cashburn]

Originally Posted by NewYorkGuy

#1 What seems right for a kit car?
#2 and #3 The Cobra shape is perfect for a complete vinyl wrap. Shape
has no hard edges, roof, or bumpers. It should be one of the
easiest cars to do.
#4 I've been told between 5 to 10 years.
#5 Vinyl does not damage underneath paint
#6 A good vinyl job looks like paint.

Actually not having hard edges, body panel breaks, and bumpers etc to hide seams makes the cobra shape far more difficult to wrap cleanly. The durability has a lot do with exposure to UV, so one of these if you could wrap it well would hold a long time. The vinyl can in fact damage the clearcoat and effect bodywork/glass that may still be gassing out. A great vinyl job can only look like mediocre paint.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by NewYorkGuy

#1 What seems right for a kit car?

You seem to use the term "kit car" derogatorily or with disdain. My car was delivered from manufacturer as a factory-assembled roller to a shop that dropped the engine and trans into the car and then delivered it to me finished. Not really a "kit car" from my point of view.

When you do purchase a kit car in your 10-15 year time frame, maybe the technology will have improved. But as of now, I've seen a few vinyl wraps up close and they're G-d awful.

I briefly wrestled wrapping the hard shells of some sport seats that I have for another car and, after seeing the vinyl crap, I had my seat shells painted. They came out gorgeous and for similar money to vinyl wrap.

[NewYorkGuy]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

You seem to use the term "kit car" derogatorily or with disdain. My car was delivered from manufacturer as a factory-assembled roller to a shop that dropped the engine and trans into the car and then delivered it to me finished. Not really a "kit car" from my point of view.

When you do purchase a kit car in your 10-15 year time frame, maybe the technology will have improved. But as of now, I've seen a few vinyl wraps up close and they're G-d awful.

I briefly wrestled wrapping the hard shells of some sport seats that I have for another car and, after seeing the vinyl crap, I had my seat shells painted. They came out gorgeous and for similar money to vinyl wrap.

Kit car, continuation, replica, tribute, fake, factory assembled in South Africa, hot rod shaped like a Cobra... are we going to start this again?

Vinyl wrap, plastic dip, or something else will pop into mainstream. It's good to keep an open mind & experiment.

I've seen vinyl wraps on cars & bicycles and some do look crappy, some look good, and some look great. I guess u get what u pay for in materials and craftsmanship.

[jwd]

Originally Posted by NewYorkGuy

I've seen vinyl wraps on cars & bicycles and some do look crappy, some look good, and some look great. I guess u get what u pay for in materials and craftsmanship.

The same applies to paint jobs.

[Bartruff1]

Nope....several pro's tried several times to get the nose stripe on... they couldn't do it.. so I had it painted...perfect.... as for speedos.... not prudent if you are like over 20....

[FatBoy]

This one has a full vinyl wrap in satin grey:



So far, it is proving to be very durable and cost a fraction of a full paint job.

Paul