Exterior Vinyl Wrap care?

[Jumbosrule]

Did a quick search and see that this is a relatively un-discussed topic. In recent years the vinyl wrap films have become immensely more popular. From matte finish to Carbon Fiber style, films are showing up on the interior and exterior of just about every make and model.

In addition, there's not a lot of care/feeding information available from the manufacturers of these films.

Have there been any products specifically designed to clean and protect products like 3M Di-Noc or other PVC based wrapping products? I wonder if using products or certain applicators might change the surface appearance or longevity? Can waxes be used?

Any experienced advice is welcome.

 

[Flash Gordon]

205 and a green pad will make an improvement/remove oxidation/make it shiny

 

[FUNX650]

In addition, there's not a lot of care/feeding information available from the manufacturers of these films.

Can waxes be used?

Not for sure what is meant by the "feeding"....

But if you're going to wax these "wraps"...I advise using waxes/sealants that exhibit "clearness" upon curing.

Just throwing my $.05 and half into the equation.



Bob

 

[604_Snooze]

As I remember, Richy has tried DG501 on it, you might want to ask him.

There is also Swissvax Opaque pre cleaner and Opaque wax, but expensive. Chemical guys has the Meticulous matte detailer, onsale now.

 

[toycar18]

Treat them like paint. I have had lettering on my work van. We have polished, sealed and waxed them many times over the last 8 years. Just don't use high pressure on the vinyl.

 

[Jumbosrule]

Not for sure what is meant by the "feeding"....

Just an expression - I'm an engineer, we frequently use this term to talk about periodic or preventative maintenance. Feeding is essentially what the vinyl material needs to stay healthy long term.

As I remember, Richy has tried DG501 on it, you might want to ask him. There is also Swissvax Opaque pre cleaner and Opaque wax, but expensive. Chemical guys has the Meticulous matte detailer, onsale now.

I actually talked to the Chemical Guys at SEMA about this very thing. I believe the matte care product to which you refer is for paint and not vinyl, but I will confirm and report back on that.

Treat them like paint. I have had lettering on my work van. We have polished, sealed and waxed them many times over the last 8 years. Just don't use high pressure on the vinyl.

Great datapoint, thanks for the feedback.

This is a shot of the material I'm going to be working with.

 

[bullitt 736]

When I had my '08 Bullitt I applied a black satin vinyl tail lamp panel blackout. The vinyl was stick on that came from Hobby Lobby.



After wash and dry, I would use Finish Kare FK-425 just like on the rest of the car.

 

[FUNX650]

Just an expression - I'm an engineer, we frequently use this term to talk about periodic or preventative maintenance. Feeding is essentially what the vinyl material needs to stay healthy long term.

Then, if I'm to understand correctly, your definition (expression) of "feeding" = maintenance (PM), which does seems to deviate somewhat from my definition of "feeding". Especially when it comes to vinyl.

I know you don't need my approval of your "feeding" definition. But....

I always was under the impression that "feeding" involved attempts at keeping things such as: Vegetation & members of the Animal Kingdom nourished/alive... So they may have a decent chance of survival, at the very least, to their expected end-of-life event. I've always categorically dismissed vinyl as being just plain "dead", even so unto it's synthesis.

And, conversely, approval of my definition of "feeding" is not necessarily expected.



Anyway, back to the gist of your thread.

Although, before I purchase products designed for automotive use, I normally make an effort to garner every tid-bit of information I possibly can...And that includes care & maintenance of said products.
Basically that also means, so to speak, whenever there's doubt, I get that information: "Straight From The Horse's Mouth".

In your case, if I may be so bold to suggest, your "Horse's Mouth" is:

KK Label Co., Ltd.
515 North Virginia Avenue
Azusa, California 91702

Ph. no.'s:
626.470.6060
888.430.7468

Fax:
626.228.2567

email:
[email protected]

Happy Holidays!



Bob

 

[Jumbosrule]

Well Bob it seems we violently agree on just about everything except for semantics. I represent a rather large community of people (NASA) that use my definition and my expression. I wouldn't expect it to be common anywhere else but sometimes forget where I am and allow the expression out in conversation. Most people understand or can at least infer the context since I've never had to explain it before.

I went to KK label for my information, of which they had none beyond "wash with soap & water". I found this company while at SEMA and spoke to them there - they are an importer/distributor and not much else. The manufacturer is Chinese. The price was right and I am not afraid of failure - the worst that can happen is the vinyl doesn't last as long as I expect and I need to remove it.

Hence my question to the forum, which was posed only after I did a search for related items, including clear bras, graphics & decals and even pinstripes. I figured this would be the place to get actual experience or as you suggested, experiences from, "the horse's mouth".

 

[Flash Gordon]

Well Bob it seems we violently agree on just about everything except for semantics. I represent a rather large community of people (NASA) that use my definition and my expression. I wouldn't expect it to be common anywhere else but sometimes forget where I am and allow the expression out in conversation. Most people understand or can at least infer the context since I've never had to explain it before.

I went to KK label for my information, of which they had none beyond "wash with soap & water". I found this company while at SEMA and spoke to them there - they are an importer/distributor and not much else. The manufacturer is Chinese. The price was right and I am not afraid of failure - the worst that can happen is the vinyl doesn't last as long as I expect and I need to remove it.

Hence my question to the forum, which was posed only after I did a search for related items, including clear bras, graphics & decals and even pinstripes. I figured this would be the place to get actual experience or as you suggested, experiences from, "the horse's mouth".[/QUOTE]

I can only offer advice coming from the "other" end of the horse

I would try a mild polish like 205 or power finish with a medium cut pad. I would be afraid anything stronger will give you fits

 

[FUNX650]

Well Bob it seems we violently agree on just about everything except for semantics. I represent a rather large community of people (NASA) that use my definition and my expression. I wouldn't expect it to be common anywhere else but sometimes forget where I am and allow the expression out in conversation. Most people understand or can at least infer the context since I've never had to explain it before.

I went to KK label for my information, of which they had none beyond "wash with soap & water". I found this company while at SEMA and spoke to them there - they are an importer/distributor and not much else. The manufacturer is Chinese. The price was right and I am not afraid of failure - the worst that can happen is the vinyl doesn't last as long as I expect and I need to remove it.

Hence my question to the forum, which was posed only after I did a search for related items, including clear bras, graphics & decals and even pinstripes. I figured this would be the place to get actual experience or as you suggested, experiences from, "the horse's mouth".

Sounds like we don't run around in the same circles...Or is that ellipses?

I realize, now, since your furthering explanation of the semantics involved of your using "feeding" of vinyl....And why it differs. That is: versus where I just use "cleaning/protecting" vinyl in its stead.

IMO...Something you should note, is: The fact I was never arguing with you to begin with. I was attempting to get a clarification from you on what I felt were the inferred method(s) you may have in caring for vinyl. Many people visit the AGO forum, and as such, may have read what I interpreted as misinformation.

Although our terminology may somewhat differ because of our career choices (that, of course, includes "semantic-specific language-speak"), I believe your expressing that we were in "violent agreement"is without substantiation. Indeed!!


You may wish to entertain the notion to use the AGO Search function once more...many, many articles, regarding your poser, may be readily available, by doing so.

Examples:
Auto Geek Online Auto Detailing Forum - Search Results

Auto Geek Online Auto Detailing Forum - Search Results


Question for you though:
Is our Government-funded Space Program forever doomed to the sh1t-can?

I wish you happy wrapping....For your vehicle, and the upcoming Holidays' gift exchanging events.




Bob

 

[Royaldetail]

I think swissvax or zymol has a product for vinyl

 

[zkeeper]

When I was considering vinyl wrap for roof of my Bimmer, I was told by Megs and 3M that they did not recco buffing or waxing per se...but washing, and using a QuickSpray wax, and just hand buffing it out. I ended up with FlexPaint, from Germany, which is paint ON vinyl wrap, and can be buffed and waxed as it is paint on vinyl. Cash Advance | Debt Consolidation | Insurance | Free Credit Report | Cell Phones at Flexpaint.com It clays and buffs out nice, and has not dulled, but does need a bit extra care as it is paint and can scratch more easily.
I have seen guys here who do try to wax vinyl wrap out, and yes it has scarred & dulled it, and that may have lots to do with the quality of the wrap. The color is not painted on...it is ink I believe on vinyl, so one has to be a bit more concerned about what is applied. The above was what Megs told me this past summer. The flexpaint was my option. Yours may be to use a good spray on wax on a regular basis with a good MF to buff it out. rops:

 

[opie_7afe]

zkeeper that link is not a real link, brings you to a generic "place holder" page. back on topic, i would not use a machine polisher on matte vinyl film, and as a poster said some wraps are inked on but i think they would use a thin covering over the ink, some wraps are made into the vinyl itself so no need to worry, before you try anything give it a test in a hidden area to see how the product works, but do not buff/try to polish a matte film it just may make it glossy so i would not use that advice at all...good luck wish they made more products for matte paint/vinyl as so many cars from the factory has matte parts on it...good luck with finding a product to work for you, i know for protection you can use something like optimum spray wax or xmt360 spray wax.

 

[Jumbosrule]

You may wish to entertain the notion to use the AGO Search function once more...many, many articles, regarding your poser, may be readily available, by doing so.

Examples:
Auto Geek Online Auto Detailing Forum - Search Results

Auto Geek Online Auto Detailing Forum - Search Results


Question for you though:
Is our Government-funded Space Program forever doomed to the sh1t-can?

I wish you happy wrapping....For your vehicle, and the upcoming Holidays' gift exchanging events.

Bob

To answer your question on the space program... sort of off topic but what the heck its my thread, right?

America's program isn't and has never been doomed - just like anything else it evolves with the political climate and the country's priorities. NASA's budget has not been reduced with the cancellation of the shuttle program, those funds have been allocated to the many, many programs in development in government run centers. Goddard Space Center, Marshall Space Flight Center, Johnson Space Center, The Jet Propulsion Laboratory... just to name a few. Let's not forget the International Space station is orbiting less than 400 miles above the Earth's surface. It is the size of a football field and can be seen with the naked eye on a clear evening. The lion's share of work is related to International Space Station contracts (myself included). Who talks about the Space Station?

To me fault is two-fold. Its the American public's fault for not taking interest. The government's funding is a reflection of the people's attitudes. Why would politicians take up a mostly exploratory cause for which people dont seem to have much enthusiasm? The second part is NASA and it's public relations. They could do a lot better with some dedicated advertising. Not just to garner interest in the industry but to help in recruiting and retaining the best minds.

There is a long term plan for a new launch vehicle, which I have not really seen publicized often. It's out there - NASA websites have good info. But the biggest change in philosophy has only recently started - privatization. Read about SpaceX. Amazing private space company, with which NASA is contracting resupply flights to the Space Station. Privatization is the best thing that could happen to the Space Industry, IMO. Americans seem to thrive on competition. Also, China is poised to become a space leader because of their resources. They have three times as many people in their program as the Americans do - and they have a full line of launch vehicles. We went to the moon because we were motivated by a race with the Russians. Maybe when China outshines the US in the near future, we'll decide to get back into the game with more focus.

When I was considering vinyl wrap for roof of my Bimmer, I was told by Megs and 3M that they did not recco buffing or waxing per se...but washing, and using a QuickSpray wax, and just hand buffing it out...
...I have seen guys here who do try to wax vinyl wrap out, and yes it has scarred & dulled it, and that may have lots to do with the quality of the wrap. The color is not painted on...it is ink I believe on vinyl, so one has to be a bit more concerned about what is applied. The above was what Megs told me this past summer. The flexpaint was my option. Yours may be to use a good spray on wax on a regular basis with a good MF to buff it out. rops:

While I was installing the vinyl, I noticed a powder or dust appear as I would use a plastic squeegee to smooth out the material during application. I think it's wax. After installation, I used a QD and the surface sheen of the vinyl was a little uneven. I tried the spray wax and I think this is the solution. Looks smooth and even. This photo shows just the trunk & fuel lid wrapped. I have not used wax on the fuel lid, but wiped down the trunk.

 

[zkeeper]

Yup you're right on the link issue: sorry....I meant, FLX-Paint Home Page
I think that will work to see this material.
In any case, others have been correct. Test the material first before using any abrasive or pads. Thanks all, and Happy New Year week. rops:

 

[opie_7afe]

that flx paint is some awesome wrap material, find it awesome they use real paint for it, just some fantastic looking product, page says its about 700$ a roll which is not that bad way cheaper then a repaint and have some nice colors and can even get custom colors to a color code. pretty sweet.

 

[Jumbosrule]

This material was $1.49 per square foot - $600 for a roll 5' x 82', which is enough to do two four door sedans. This KK vinyl car wrap is ok for the price but knowing what I do now, I'd go with the 3M if I had it to do over again. It is much easier to install.

How does the flexpaint go on? Same way - squeegee & a heat gun? I browsed the link - the cars look nice but it's rarely a whole car wrap they showcase. What's there looks good in the photos.