Vehicles vary. Some have vents that are easy to wrap with vinyl film, but others are challenging, for example, the vent near the rear window on a Toyota Land Cruiser. This type of vent is made of deep recessed areas. And it is surrounded by tight gaps, so it is tricky to wrap around. Let’s learn the tips to get the job done perfectly.
Cleaning is always the first big step
For every installation, whether a big project or not, cleaning should never be neglected. Clean the vent and the area around it thoroughly before you approach it. Because the gaps are tight, you can take a foam applicator to reach every spot more easily, including the mesh and the outside edge. Remember to dry out the section when you finish.
Set the material in its best position
You can take out the vehicle wrap piece as soon as the preparation is done. Do not rush to apply the material just yet. Put it on your working table with the adhesive side facing up after removing the backing paper.
Then, gently apply heat to the film with your heat gun. There is tension built up in the material during the manufacturing process. By doing this, you can take this stress out, which will ease your application.
Wrap it up
Once the car wrap cools down, you can apply it to the vent and start wrapping. Run your finger around the outside edge to lock the piece in position. Then, squeegee along this edge again to tuck the film deeply into the gap. At the same time, your free hand should firmly pick up the material on the outside.
When done, run your finger once more to secure the vehicle wrap and ensure it is tucked into the gap tightly. Then, sharpen your blade and cut along the outside edge to remove the excess film.
You should angle your blade slightly out to get enough material to fully cover the area. Squeegee around the outside to seal the edge as soon as you remove the excess material.
Deal with the middle
After wrapping up the outside, it is time to deal with the middle. Cut in the middle to remove the film, which is essentially an enclosed relief cut. Do not cut too close to the outside.
Make another relief cut right from the bottom corner and start tackling the corners first. Repeat cutting when needed, and use your squeegee to get the film in place incrementally. When everything is set, cut away the extra material. Again, remember to sharpen your blade first. Seal the edge right away when you finish.
This way, you can achieve a high-quality and tension-free wrapped vent smoothly. Learn more about wrapping at teckwrap.com
