In recent years single-color paint wraps have come on strong in the marketplace, and rightfully so. p r o d u c t i o n & i n s ta l l at i o n B y J u s t i n Pat e The Art of the Paint Wrap Paint Wraps Paint wrap films vary greatly, but so do the techniques needed to install them U Justin Pate is a certified instructor/ installer who has been working out of New York City and Amsterdam for more than 17 years. In North America, Justin heads the popular Avery-Mutoh School of Wrap workshop and certification program (http://na.averygraphics.com/ AvGrNA_avery_wrap_school.asp). He has a DVD instructional series that is sold at www.learntwrapcars.com and at many distributors in the U.S. and Canada. He also teaches workshops for manufacturers and private clients throughout the world. For more information on Justin Pate go to: www.justinpate.net. 114 I WRAPS I 2013 p until a few years ago, full print wraps was the only game in town for car wrapping. With full print wraps, there are variations in the complexity of the design or how aggressive and thick a certain brand of film is, but the install techniques and tools are essentially the same every time. Recently, paint wrapping (single-color wraps) have come on strong in the marketplace, and rightfully so. With paint wraps, the types of film to choose from are wide and varied: gloss, matte, matte metallic, brushed metallic, textured (e.g. crocodile), carbon and chrome. What makes paint wrapping a unique challenge from an install point of view compared to full print wraps is that the install techniques needed to achieve professional results are as wide and varied as the types of finishes available. Each type of paint wrap material requires different tools and techniques. Not knowing how to approach each type of paint wrap film can easily result in wasted material and slow install times, which are profit killers. The following breaks down how to approach each type of paint wrap film to help make your next paint wrap more efficient and profitable. Each paint wrap film will be discussed in terms of tools needed, how to section the film, the unique characteristics of the film, specific install techniques and post wrap tips. Standard Gloss Films Tools Standard tools can be used for gloss Sectioning Gloss film can be applied on the vehicle in any direction.this makes gloss film one of the most economical and low-stress films in terms of square footage needed. For example, two fender pieces can come out of one panel and large sections of extra film from the side windows can be used on the trunk or bumpers. Characteristics Gloss film is basically like installing a full print wrap. The main thing to watch out for is whitening of the color if extremely overstretched. If whitening does occur simply pick the film
back off the surface, heat the film to trigger the memory effect so it shrinks back to its original shape and color, then reinstall. Install Technique Standard technique avoid overstretching, use a good buffer on the squeegee and a propane torch or heat gun can be used to heat the film. Post Wrap Three things to do after the wrap is installed. Wipe down the finished wrap with alcohol to clean off handprints or dirt. There may be fine scratches caused by the buffer during the install. These can be easily removed by heating the area with a propane torch or heat gun. The heat softens the lamination layer causing it to self-heal (see Figure 1). Even though the gloss film feels smooth, there are actually tiny indentations throughout the surface. Applying a finishing product like Croftgate Aquanial or similar product from Meguiar s is a good idea. These products put a coating on the lamination layer that fills these indentations. This keeps dirt and oil from building up on the surface which helps maintain the luster of the wrap for the duration of the install making for a happy client (and interested new clients). Post heat the film where needed as normal. Matte Films Tools Only use a heat gun (no propane torch) and use a very good buffer on the squeegee. The buffer ideally should be made out of fabric that can be used with soap and water. Sectioning Matte films are like gloss in terms of cutting into sections so it is equally as economical and stress free to install. For example, any extra piece can be used for a mirror, door handle or fill in piece. Characteristics Matte films can easily scratch, show marks from oil or dirt and can become shiny when overstretched. Install Technique Here are too tips you can use: To minimize scratches from the squeegee during the install, a good tip is to spray the surface of the film with soap and water before applying it. The soap acts as a lubricant, which makes the buffer on the squeegee glide over the film. This is why a buffer that can Figure 1 Fine scratches in standard gloss film can be easily removed by heating the area with a propane torch or heat gun. The heat softens the lamination layer causing it to self-heal. Figure 2 Matte film can easily scratch, even from the buffer on your squeegee. Use a heat gun, but never a propane torch, to self-heal the film. 2013 I WRAPS I 115
p r o d u c t i o n & i n s ta l l at i o n Figure 3 It is especially important with brushed metallic films (and other metallic films), to make sure all sections are oriented in the same direction and ensure that the light reflects uniformly. Figure 4 Many textured films, like this white carbon, have a multi-layered surface area of varying thickness making them prone to split when overstretched or post heated as shown here. Matte film (like gloss) is economical and stress free to section up and install. It also creates an outstanding look on just about any car. Metallic films can come in gloss, matte and brushed finishes. This horse trailer was wrapped using a metallic gloss film. 116 I WRAPS I 2013 be used with soap is key (polyester or plastic fiber buffers won t work). Avoid overstretching the film during the install, as it will cause the matte finish to become shiny. In some cases, using the memory effect of the film to shrink the film back to its original shape will not remove the shiny section on the film, so it is something to really watch out for. To avoid losing the matte finish, be sure to start stretching the film around a compound curve much earlier than normal and pull evenly. If feeding the film into a deep recessed area, keep the bridged area as wide as possible. This will maintain the matte finish as well as reduce the tension in the deepest area. Post Wrap Here are four tips for after the installation. Avoid using straight isopropyl alcohol to wipe off handprints or dirt as it can leave droplet marks on the film. It s best to use a general cleaner like white vinegar and a low friction hand towel (paper towels can scratch the matte surface area). For any minor scratches, use a heat gun to self-heal the film (see Figure 2). A propane torch will cause glossy stripes to occur on the film, which is complete disaster unless you are going for a zebralike result. The biggest complaint about matte wraps is they get dirty easily, so using a finishing product specifically designed for matte films is key. Croftgate, Meguiar s or Swiss Vax make solid products for matte films. When post heating, be sure to heat the film no hotter than the manufacturer s requirements. Matte film can become shiny even with a heat gun so only do what is necessary to kill the memory. Metallic Films Characteristics Metallic films can come in gloss, matte and brushed finishes. What is very important to remember with metallic films is how they are produced.the metallic flakes are placed into the film in a certain direction during the manufacturing process, which is called the flop.this means the film must be applied to the vehicle so that the flakes run in the same direction. If metallic film is applied to the vehicle in different directions, then the sections of the vehicle will reflect differently. This is
called metamerism, which is a fun word to drop at parties but a bad one to have to explain to a client because it makes the car look like it has different colors or certain sections look dull (see Figure 3). Sectioning Based on the characteristics of the metallic flakes, sectioning the film up properly is very important. Generally, with metallic films, 10-20 percent more film will be used on a wrap than for regular gloss/matte wraps. The reason for this is two fenders cannot come out of one piece and large extra pieces may not work on the trunk or bumper. Be sure to use the manufacturer s logo on the backing paper as a guide to keep the panels going in the same direction.this is especially important when installing small sections like inlays, door handles and mirrors. Brushed Metallic Films Along with keeping the film going in the same direction, brushed metallic films have a few more important characteristics to keep in mind. Like matte films, brushed metallic films can become glossy when overstretched. This happens because the roughness of the surface area gets minimized. To avoid this, apply brushed metallic like matte film stretch the film around compound curve areas earlier than normal and work the film evenly at all times. The textured lines on the surface need to stay uniform and line up with other sections on the vehicle.this requires the installer to really take a step back on each section to set the panel up properly, especially on areas with compound curves Avoid using hinges when applying brushed metallic films because folding the film on the hinge can often create a crease in the film that cannot be worked out. Instead of a hinge, try and release the entire backing paper, choose a good starting point and work the panel out from there. Textured Films Textured films can be made to resemble a crocodile hide, a weave pattern, carbon fiber and other interesting things.textured films add a unique finish to a vehicle but they can also be tricky to apply. Install Technique Here are a couple of What is great about paint wraps is the ability to mix and match finishes for a customized look. In this case, the car was wrapped in a textured black matte then a wide stripe of crocodile film was placed on the hood and roof along with the side mirrors and gas tank. Carbon fiber film makes for a great paint wrap. When the wrap is finished wipe it down with a low-friction hand towel. On some carbon fiber films, paper towels can snag on the textured surface and leave paper bits. (image courtesy of Hexis) important things to note about installing textured films. Since textured films have a multilayered surface area there are varying degrees of thickness. This makes these films prone to tear, especially if the workspace or vehicle is cold. To avoid tearing, be sure to take extra time handling the film, especially when picking it back up off the vehicle.when forming the film into a deep recessed area, give the film as much extra space as possible. If the film is overstretched it can split. Textured film generally doesn t have a lamination layer built into the top for obvious reasons. This makes these films prone to scratching. These scratches cannot be self-healed because there is no lamination layer. To avoid these scratches be sure to put a new buffer on the squeegee at the beginning of the install. Also, keep the film as flat to the application surface as possible when squeegeeing. A low angle on the film significantly reduces the chance of the corner of the squeegee making a mark. Post Wrap Here are a couple of tips for after the installation of textured films. Be careful when post heating textured films as the film layers can split (see Figure 4). To avoid this, try to feed the film into recessed areas instead of bridging the area and pushing the film in. With carbon film, be sure to wipe it down with a low friction hand towel. On some carbon fiber films, paper towels can snag the textured surface, which can leave fibers in the top layer that are difficult to remove. Reprinted from Wraps magazine 2013 All rights reserved. Visit our website at www.sdgmag.com.