The aftermarket of automotive has been continuously evolving, and many kinds of vinyl wrap films are flourishing. For example, TeckWrap pushes sales for new series every now and then. The properties of car wraps vary as more colors and finishes are available. It is unwise to jump in a new material and start wrapping it right away.
It is recommended to test out a new vinyl wrap film before you install it. Knowing its properties can help you avoid many potential problems and achieve a perfect result.
Here are a few tips to help you get to know a new car wrap quickly:
Know the adhesive
Take a sample of the new vinyl film, or cut it into a small piece. Pull off a bit of its liner to observe the adhesive. Doing this will let you know whether the adhesive is water-based or solvent-based, and if it has air regress feature, which can give you insight into how you should approach the vehicle wrap.
Check the way it shrinks
Next, you can use the same piece to test how the vinyl wrap film shrinks. Heat it on a working table. Wave your heat gun in the direction where the material is made with overlapping heat, and wait to see how it shrinks. Some car wraps will shrink on both sides, while others shrink on all sides. This critical factor can determine how you should handle the film during the installation.
How hard should you press with your squeegee?
Apply the sample to a hood, and squeegee it to the surface. You can then check its tack. If it is low, you know you should press harder with your squeegee or need the help of heat when installing the vinyl film.
The air egress feature
If the vinyl wrap film has an air egress feature, you can create a bubble on the material and flatten it out. Doing this can help you understand how its air egress feature works.
Does it self-heal?
Not every type of material can self-heal properly. If you assume it does, it can lead to a costly re-installation as you approach the car wrap incorrectly. Thus, you should check if the film has this feature.
For a color-change film, you can create some wrinkles on the side of the material and trigger its memory effect. Doing this will give you insight into how well it can self-heal. For a full print film, you can also stretch the material and trigger its memory effect to see if the graphics become whitened.
Best way to cut
Some car wraps are easy to split. Making relief cuts in a standard way might cause the material to tear. Thus, it is best to cut and test out its performance. If it is a kind of film that splits easily, you should use other cutting approaches during the application.
Perfect temperature for post-heat
Apply the vinyl wrap film to a section like a door handle or mirror, and post-heat it. You can then hang the piece on an open window. If the material can stay in shape, you have reached the right post-heating temperature. But if it shrinks, it means the heat is not enough. Keep testing until you find the perfect temperature.
Putting together the test results of all these, you should have a relatively complete picture of your new material. Think ahead and handle it accordingly. You shall enjoy a smooth installation then. Learn more about car wrapping at teckwrap.com
