Paint or Wrap / Wrap or paint ???

[jpbellis]

The body on my cart is is in decent shape. I was going to buy an aftermarket one for $600 but was thinking that I could have it vinyl wrapped or painted for less. WHICH ONE THOUGH has been bouncing around in my head.

Have folks ever done wraps themselves or is it one of those tings you need to have done a bunch of times to get it right? For sure I can't paint it myself.

[E36Racer]

There is a few threads on wraps you can find with the search. Typically it seems a first time wrap job comes out better than a first time paint job. Paying to have it painted will probably exceed $600 if you get it done by a good body shop


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Rooster59]

Depends on what condition the body is in. Vinyl won't hide imperfections like scratches and dents. If the surface is solid with no rust or flaking go with the wrap.

Make sure you get vinyl for wraps. Lots claim they are, 3M makes the best. For just a color change specify 3M 1080 film. For a printed wrap specify 3M 180cv3 with 8518 laminate. Both films have "air egress" technology. That provides tiny grooves in the adhesive to greatly reduce bubbles during application. And the film is repositionable until you have squeegee'd it firmly. Great for newbies or diy.

Good luck with your project.

Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

[jpbellis]

Originally Posted by Rooster59

Depends on what condition the body is in. Vinyl won't hide imperfections like scratches and dents. If the surface is solid with no rust or flaking go with the wrap.

Make sure you get vinyl for wraps. Lots claim they are, 3M makes the best. For just a color change specify 3M 1080 film. For a printed wrap specify 3M 180cv3 with 8518 laminate. Both films have "air egress" technology. That provides tiny grooves in the adhesive to greatly reduce bubbles during application. And the film is repositionable until you have squeegee'd it firmly. Great for newbies or diy.

Good luck with your project.

Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

Very helpful, thanks

[Rooster59]

No problem. If you will diy 3M has some helpful videos on youtube. They won't transform you into a 3M certified installer but you will know what not to do and how to fix it if you do.

Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

[Mrfoto]

Originally Posted by Rooster59

Depends on what condition the body is in. Vinyl won't hide imperfections like scratches and dents. If the surface is solid with no rust or flaking go with the wrap.

Make sure you get vinyl for wraps. Lots claim they are, 3M makes the best. For just a color change specify 3M 1080 film. For a printed wrap specify 3M 180cv3 with 8518 laminate. Both films have "air egress" technology. That provides tiny grooves in the adhesive to greatly reduce bubbles during application. And the film is repositionable until you have squeegee'd it firmly. Great for newbies or diy.

Good luck with your project.

Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

Like how scratched? Would a wrap cover like 200 grit sand scratches?

[Rooster59]

Originally Posted by Mrfoto

Like how scratched? Would a wrap cover like 200 grit sand scratches?

Wrap vinyl is only 4mil thick. It doesn't "fill" scratches. Hence the scratch will create an irregularity in the surface exactly like it was prior to film being applied. Just like spraying paint over a scratch. If vinyl is bridged over a gouge that will leave air under the vinyl. Air expands when warmed and will create a bubble. Air under vinyl deteriorates the vinyl rapidly.

A rough sanded surface is not as smooth as a painted or original surface. I'm not saying it won't adhere. But it won't adhere as well as a fully prepped and finished surface.

If the vinyl has a pattern rather than solid color the scratches may be hard to find or see.

[Mrfoto]

Originally Posted by Rooster59

Wrap vinyl is only 4mil thick. It doesn't "fill" scratches. Hence the scratch will create an irregularity in the surface exactly like it was prior to film being applied. Just like spraying paint over a scratch. If vinyl is bridged over a gouge that will leave air under the vinyl. Air expands when warmed and will create a bubble. Air under vinyl deteriorates the vinyl rapidly.

A rough sanded surface is not as smooth as a painted or original surface. I'm not saying it won't adhere. But it won't adhere as well as a fully prepped and finished surface.

If the vinyl has a pattern rather than solid color the scratches may be hard to find or see.

Oh my never thought about air expansion in the scratches, thanks for the insight.