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Unwrapping a treat
| 06 January 2012
Chris Pook is a director at vehicle wrapping specialist Creative FX. Here he sheds some further light on vehicle wrapping techniques, in this instance, removing a wrap.
When people come to us wanting a wrap, whether the latest design trend or a commercial wrap to advertise their business, the most common question we’re asked is ‘will it damage the original paintwork?’ The answer is no, as long as you follow a couple of simple tips.
One of the benefits of vehicle wrapping is that once the wrap comes to the end of its life, or you fancy a different look, it can be easily removed. On top of this the wrap will act as a layer of protection for your original paintwork, protecting it from UV exposure and minor abrasions over the years. But to make sure your paintwork remains undamaged requires it to be in good condition before the wrap is applied, and involves proper installation and careful removal.
At Creative FX, before applying a wrap we always ask our customers ‘has the vehicle had any damage to the body or paint work done to it?’ The reason being, new or non-factory paintwork can sometimes cause difficulties when removing a wrap if it has not been keyed on to manufacturer standards. If the answer to the question is no, however, and a vehicle still has factory paint then there shouldn’t be a problem.
It is essential, nevertheless, to use an experienced installer when having a vehicle wrap applied, so you can be sure the correct vinyl is applied and in the right way. We were recently asked to remove a wrap fitted by another company on a Range Rover. The removal should have taken just three hours, but because an inferior vinyl had been used, it took us over eight hours to get it off and a further twelve hours to remove the glue left behind. At Creative FX we have nearly 100 years collective experience between our senior team, so we will always make sure the right vinyl for the job is used and that it is properly applied.
As well as selecting an appropriate vinyl for the job, during application the right tools have to be used. We always use felt-covered squeegees to apply the vinyl tightly to the vehicle; the soft edges ensure the vinyl doesn’t get damaged. The scalpels used also need to be extremely sharp; that way, only very gentle pressure is required so you don’t cut through to the surface of the car. Here, our installers are so confident in their precision, they maintain they could cut a piece of vinyl on someone’s hand without cutting through to the skin.
A properly installed wrap can last up to five years, so unless you get bored of it before then, with a bit of TLC when it comes to cleaning, you could easily have a wrap that outlives how long you want your car. Yet when it comes to selling your car, or changing the look for yourself, you may wish to restore it to its original condition. In removing the wrap there are a couple of things to note to keep from damaging the paintwork.
Temperature is paramount. Using a heat gun the wrap should be heated to around 60-80 degrees, and you should lift a corner or edge. You then need to pull it at a 45° angle very slowly - don’t yank it! - to avoid damaging the paintwork beneath. This is best done with both hands and fingers spread apart so you get maximum contact with the film. The wrap needs to be continually heated as you peel, until entirely removed.
Any residue left on the surface can be easily removed with a citrus based cleaner; ensuring the car is restored to its original state, or ready for further wrapping.
Chris Pook
www.fxuk.net
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