In today’s economy, cutting costs seems like the right thing to do, but should that be the case when it comes to your car? DIY wrapping has been trending on social media with extensive tutorials helping customers cut out the middleman and directly buy and apply the vinyl themselves. While some of these do turn out great, others have become cautionary tales on what not to do when you wrap your vehicle yourself. Here are a few incidents of DIY wrapping gone wrong and advice on how to rectify your mistakes.
Mistake #1: Investing In Inexpensive, Low-Quality Vinyl
On forums and social platforms, you often see people complaining about vinyl that’s difficult to handle. Some films fade, peel, or crack within a few months. Though these might appear vibrant and beautiful at first glance, they lose their original charm in no time. What seemed like a great deal quickly turns into a costly headache. Using low-quality vinyl not only affects the appearance of the vehicle but can also damage the surface underneath, leaving residue if removal becomes necessary.
Solution
Do not settle for less. Always buy high-grade vinyl for your vehicle. This is the best way to avoid the pitfalls of low-quality material. Do your research. Read customer reviews as they share their first-hand experience of installing a particular film. If your vinyl has faded or is peeling off, the only solution is to replace it with another premium-quality film.
Mistake #2: Bubbles Emerging After Car Wrap Installation
A self-wrapped car may appear pristine at first glance, but a proper inspection is needed to ensure you don’t encounter problems later. A video was uploaded showing a wrapped BMW with bubbles on its surface. The owner was seeking a remedy for this unexpected issue. The formation of bubbles ruined what could have been a standout wrap. Not only did it affect the appearance, but the compromised area also made the entire wrap more vulnerable to further peeling and environmental wear.
Solution
The bubbles can be attributed to trapped air and moisture and improper surface preparation. If they are a couple or so, you can remove them by pricking with an air release pen, then smoothing them out with a squeegee. If many tiny ones have erupted in a certain area, you have no choice but to replace that panel with new vinyl after thoroughly cleaning the surface.
Mistake #3: Overheating and Overstretching the Wrap
Another TikToker shared a DIY wrapping project in which silver-colored vinyl was being installed on a curved section of the vehicle. Heat was being applied while it was stretched to cover the area, but soon afterward, it started lifting off. This is caused by overstretching the film beyond its limit. This is a common mistake made by newbies that damages the vinyl’s integrity.
Solution
When you apply heat to vinyl, it becomes flexible, making it easy for you to cover the complex curves and contours of your ride. If you stretch it beyond its capacity, it will adhere to the surface for the time being but then shrinks and might peel off.
To avoid this, the temperature while heat application should be 60-80 degrees Celsius for correct installation. Keep the heat gun at least 10 to 13 inches away from the vinyl and do not concentrate heat in one area. Keep moving it to and fro for even distribution. Moreover, when the vinyl becomes malleable, it should not be tugged on excessively. If the material is starting to feel a bit resistant when stretching, that is probably its maximum flexibility.
Mistake #4. Applying Too Much or Too Little Pressure When Using a Squeegee
A squeegee is an essential tool for car wrapping that can make or break the final look. A lot of first-time wrappers do not know this, but even the amount of pressure applied to the squeegee when smoothing out the vinyl can have varying results. When you push down lightly on the film, you are causing wrinkles to occur and are also not removing air bubbles effectively, which will cause problems later on. On the other hand, if you press too hard, you can compromise the appearance of your vinyl and may even leave stress marks on its surface.
Solution
The best thing to do is to hold the squeegee at a 45-degree angle. Place your four fingers on one side, while your thumb should be on the other. Grab the squeegee close to the buffer and apply firm pressure with adequate force. It should neither be a lot nor too less. Apply overlapping strokes from the center towards the edge to draw air bubbles out. The buffer should also be of good quality. If there are creases, it is best to lift and replace the vinyl until it is smooth and flat, and then apply a squeegee.
Mistake #5: Improper Cleaning of the Edges
On a Grassroots Motorsports Forum, a contributor wrote that he bought vinyl from eBay and tried wrapping it with his 14-year-old son after watching some YouTube videos. Car wrapping seemed easy to them, but they faced quite a few problems on the way, one being that their vinyl kept lifting from the edges. It just won’t stick, and they could not figure out what they are doing wrong, asking for advice from others.
Solution
Wrapping vinyl along the edges can be tricky, and one of the foremost reasons for vinyl not sticking to them is improper surface preparation. We wash and clean the car before vinyl application, often ignoring edges, joints, recesses, and grooves on the body of the vehicle. Dust particles, grease, and other contaminants accumulated here can seriously affect vinyl adhesion. Make sure these are cleaned properly. After washing thoroughly, use a clay bar to get rid of grease. Wipe the edge with isopropyl alcohol and a clean microfiber towel.
Mistake #6: Working in a Cold Garage
In a video on YouTube, a person shared his first experience of wrapping his truck and told how working in a cold garage caused problems for him. When he stretched the vinyl, it tore easily, and he faced problems with its proper adhesion as well. Due to this, he bought a heater for the garage to make the temperature a bit warmer to properly wrap his vehicle.
Solution
Always wrap your car indoors and make sure that the temperature of your garage lies between 73°F and 79°F (23°C to 26°C). If it is cold, use a heater to raise the temperature and then wrap the car. Also, make sure the surface of your car is dry and there is no moisture or condensation. If it is summertime, the temperature should not be too high and there should be no humidity.
Mistake #7: Leaving Too Much Film Around the Edge
Applying vinyl on a flat area seems easy; however, when it comes to edges, DIY wrappers get nervous. They leave too much film around the edge of a panel in the hope of securing a better grip or margin for adjustment. However, this extra material tends to fold, bunch up, or trap air and dust, as pointed out by a YouTuber. Instead of a clean, flawless look, the result often looks bulky or unfinished.
Solution
To properly tuck around the edges, only leave 5 to 7mm of film. Apply heat using a heat gun, then pull the vinyl and stick it over the edge. Do not over-stretch the film. Press it firmly to ensure adhesion. You can use a squeegee or a wrapstick flex for this.
Mistake #8: Vinyl Bunched up at the Corner
Many amateur car wrap installers are not able to get clean corners. The vinyl either gets bunched up there, or a little film stays hanging. This does not give a neat, professional finish. Corners are high-stress zones that require careful stretching, tucking, and post-heating. When handled improperly, the vinyl may start to peel, making the entire wrap look sloppy and unfinished.
Solution
The best way to tuck a corner neatly is to lift the film a bit, stretch it, and tuck it under. Apply heat to allow the vinyl to shrink back and cover the corner completely without bunching. Press to adhere. Trim off extra vinyl and apply a final round of heat to ensure perfect adhesion.
How To Get a Flawless Wrap?
While the best thing to get a smooth car wrap is to opt for professional services, if you still insist on doing it yourself, here are a few things you must take care of to get the best results:
- Proper surface preparation is very important. Start with a squeaky clean, dry surface free from any damage. The paint should not be scratched, and your car should not have any dents. Vinyl works best on OEM paint.
- Invest in good-quality vinyl. If you compromise on this to save a little, you will end up spending more.
- Buy proper tools and equipment from a reliable vendor. Get the whole kit.
- Make sure to do your research before starting the process. Practice on a small area or a flat surface first before moving on to more complex parts of your car.
- Always keep extra vinyl in case of mistakes or mishaps. Order more than what is required.
- Consider letting family or friends with experience help. Applying vinyl is not a one-man job. You must have helping hands.
Practice Makes Perfect!
DIY wrapping does go wrong often, but it is important not to lose hope and give it your best shot. If you have made a mistake, don’t fret. You can always redo the panel or spot fix it. Do not give up. Keep practicing and you will achieve perfection. Always invest in premium materials such as vinyl from TeckWrap for that perfect professional look. Our wide selection in exquisite shades is sure to have something that you’ll love. Do not forget to order more than you need!
