Overstretching is always something a wrapper needs to avoid during vinyl wrap film install. But how much exactly can you stretch without damaging the material? How much can you pull so that the film can self-heal completely? The percentage can vary depending on the type of material.
Here is a list of facts from a practical experiment for different types of vinyl wrap film. All the materials are stretched to a great (but the same) extent. And this list might be able to help you with relevant problems.
Cast Full Print Film (Laminated)
Thickness: 3.5 millimeters
Heat it for 10-15 seconds to reach the right temperature for stretching. You can hold the vinyl wrap film for a bit after stretching. Then, use heat again to trigger the memory effect. You can see the material 100% go back to its original shape.
Cast Textured Film
Thickness: 4.8 millimeters
Heat it for around 15 seconds to reach the right temperature for stretching. Hold it for a second and use heat to trigger the memory effect. You can see it completely go back to its original shape.
Cast Color Shift Film with Multilayers
Thickness: 4.25 millimeters
Heat it for about 15 seconds and stretch it. Then, trigger the memory effect. The vinyl wrap film will go back in shape. However, the sign of stretching will remain there because it is multi-layered. Thus, the material cannot ultimately return to its original appearance.
Cast Carbon Color Change Film
Thickness: 3.5 millimeters
Heat it for 10 seconds or so and stretch it. You can stretch it to where you find it almost split. Then, use heat to trigger the memory. The material can still go back to its original.
Multi-Layered Calendared Film
Thickness: 8 millimeters
Heat it for 20 seconds because it is thick, and stretch it. When you trigger the memory effect with heat, the material will go back in shape. But like mentioned above, because it is multi-layered, you will see the sign of stretching, so the appearance cannot return to the original one.
Cast Chrome Film (Unlaminated)
Thickness: 6.9 millimeters
Heat it for around 30 seconds because it is chrome. Stretch it at your best and trigger the memory effect. You will see that the material cannot go back to its original shape. It will be whitened, and the wrinkles will stay. Thus, be more careful when you have to stretch a chrome vinyl wrap film.
Alternatively, if you are unsure how much you can stretch for the vinyl wrap film you are applying, you can get a small panel and do an experiment before taking action to avoid costly re-do. Learn more about wrapping at teckwrap.com
