Don’t do these during vinyl wrap installation | TeckWrap

There are some mistakes that installers will make when applying a vinyl wrap film. They are not necessarily about how you wrap with the material but more about how you approach it.

Using the wrong tools and prep carelessly can bring you significant risk during the vinyl film installation. Here are the common mistakes wrappers might make. Check to see how well you manage to avoid them:

Is thick buffer safer?

Some installers might think a thick buffer can give you promising quality, as it helps you pass on the pressure through your squeegee and avoid accidentally scratching the vinyl wrap film. However, these advantages will only be effective when you work on a flat surface. There can be many compound curves on a vehicle.

When applying the vinyl wrap film on those curvy areas, your thick buffer will push the material, which makes it bunch up. To tackle the problem, you will need to add heat to soften the vinyl. Doing this will increase your installation time, and you might overstretch the material during the process.

If you switch to a thin buffer, the whole world will change. A squeegee with a thin buffer can help you take the car wrap farther away. You will only need a little heat, achieving high quality and efficiency at the same time.

No more single-blade knife

A clean and precise cut is vital for car wrap installation. Some wrappers usually use a single-blade knife with a standard 45-degree angle tip, and this type of blade is flat and easy to get dull over time. But sometimes, you will need a sharper blade, like a 30-degree angle tip for specific sections.

The most convenient solution is to get a multi-cartridge knife, which you can load with different blades. Doing this can bring you a smooth workflow. There are articles at teckwrap.com teaching you when to use a 45-degree angle blade and when to use a 30-degree one. Check it out to learn more.

Is your cleaning truly thorough?

Cleaning is not a new topic. Clean your vehicle thoroughly can help the vinyl film stay well on the surface for the long term. The adhesive will get affected if there is remaining dirt. Thus, you should always double-check if the car is spotless.

You can do this by putting your squeegee in a paper towel, and sliding it in the deep areas. If it is white when you take it out, you have done a good job. But if there is dirt, you should better go back and clean the car again.

Keep the oil away

Be extra careful if you need to use an adhesive remover, which is an oil-based product. Even leaving one drip on the surface can affect the durability of the wrap finish. When you spray it, it is better to put a paper towel under the area to keep the adhesive remover from getting onto the surface.

Is it all done after wrapping?

The vinyl wrap film cannot truly stay well on a vehicle until the adhesive is well-activated. This usually takes about 24 hours when the adhesive flows into the surface. Thus, don’t let it hit the road right after wrapping. You can keep it in a room with a warm temperature, as heat can help speed up the process.