A front fender is not always tricky to wrap with vinyl film. But if you are handling a Tesla Model 3 with a satin vehicle wrap, there are things you should pay attention to.
For a Tesla Model 3, there are lots of recessed areas with severe angles on its front fender. And it will be a challenge if you wrap it with hardware like the side light. But here are some tips in terms of how you can achieve a perfect finish in this case:
Lower surface energy
First, apply masking tape to the side light and under the A-pillar area. If you want a perfect look without adhesive lines, masking tape is a must. After putting the tape under the A-pillar area, use your squeegee to secure it and ensure it is tight enough.
Use Design Line to ensure full coverage
Apply Design Line Knifeless tape along the edge of the front light. When running it, make sure you do it symmetrically. Do it from the bottom to the top. Run it till the end and set its end at the front section. Apply the tape to the edge of a gap near the front light.
As no hardware is off, Knifeless tape can significantly help you get full coverage without overwrapping.
Start wrapping
As soon as you are well prepared, you can start wrapping. Release the backing paper of the panel and apply it to the surface. Hook the vinyl wrap film at the back. And you can start working with less stress.
Relief cut at the side light
Make a relief cut around the front light and tack the material to the upper bodyline, setting the car wrap in position. Once it is done, squeegee around the bodyline to secure the film in place.
Next, move onto the side light. Sharpen your blade and make a relief cut along the top section of the light from side to side. Use a micro squeegee to slightly pick the material up from the masking tape underneath, relaxing the film.
You can now cautiously pick the vinyl wrap up from the bottom and pull it down again. As you pull with your free hand, squeegee down the wrinkles at the top section. When your squeegee gets near the side light, hold the panel down and tuck the material underneath the light.
You can now use your sharp blade to cut along the bottom section of the side light, together with the cut before, making it an enclosed cut.
Doing this can help you avoid tearing a fragile material like satin. As soon as it is done, use a micro squeegee to form the film around the light. Then, you can move on to the bottom of the fender.
After tackling the side light, things will become much easier. You can quickly get the bottom done and deal with the front. Make sure you squeegee the vinyl down tightly on the Knifeless Tape.
Use Palm to avoid adhesive line
When getting to corners, you can add light heat to the material to relax it and tuck it deeply with a micro squeegee. This is an excellent way to get full coverage. Once everything is done, take on an application glove, and run your palm from one side to the other at the top of the front fender. Doing this can help avoid getting adhesive lines on the section.
Last but not least, cut away the excess film, release the Design Line, and seal all edges. You will then have a perfect Tesla front fender. Learn more about wrapping at teckwrap.com
