1-800-551-4754 
How to Vinyl Wrap Cars, Trucks, & Motorcycles
Learn to vinyl wrap your automobile and achieve professional results!
Wrapping a vehicle in vinyl is a fairly modern concept. In the mid-1990s, German taxis were wrapped to preserve paint. NASCAR followed suit by wrapping its race cars as more primary sponsors came into the sport, which forged a need for quick turnaround times because paint was slow to dry. As vinyl costs decreased, the private sector began to emulate these practices, which created the vinyl-wrapped automobile option that is now available for anyone.
CarTech, in conjunction with Apex Customs, brings forth the most modern publication on vinyl wrapping with How to Vinyl Wrap Cars, Trucks, & Motorcycles, which is easy to follow and heavily illustrated. Outlined in this book are the benefits of wrapping, the science of wrap, vinyl graphics applications, and the tools of the trade.
The majority of this book features techniques to wrap a vehicle from start to finish. Installation techniques, such as measuring, cutting, applying heat, trimming, laying, tucking, and post-heat treatment are covered through illustrations. Troubleshooting help is included for bubbles, tears/rips, peeling, wrinkles, and cracking. Every component of a vehicle from the grille to the rear bumper is wrapped and featured in vivid detail.
Why spend tens of thousands of dollars on paint when you can change your car’s appearance year after year for a fraction of the cost? How to Vinyl Wrap Cars, Trucks, & Motorcycles will have your ride looking professionally wrapped and the talk of the show.
About the Authors
Acknowledgments
Chapter 1: Vinyl Wrap Benefits and Uses
21st-Century Graphics
What Is Vinyl Wrap?
Vinyl Wrap Uses and Applications
Vinyl Wrap Benefits
What Works Well with Vinyl Wrap
Vinyl Wrap versus Paint
Vinyl Wrap versus Paint Alternatives
Vinyl Wrap versus Powder Coating
Vinyl Wrap versus Liquid Wrap
Vinyl Wrap versus Bed Liner
Chapter 2: Vinyl Wrap Science and Characteristics
Science
Types
Adhesives and Activation
Air Channels and Bubbles
Finishes and Patterns
Characteristics
Myths
Chapter 3: Vinyl Graphics Uses and Applications
Print versus Plot
Full Wraps
Partial Wraps
Plotted Graphics
Vinyl Printing: Methods and Tools
Vinyl Plotting: Methods and Tools
Chapter 4: Before You Get Started
Materials
Preparation
Environment
Asking for Help
Cutting
Surfaces to Avoid
Storage
Chapter 5: Application Planning
Tools
Quantity, Cost, and Time Estimates
Measuring and Mapping the Surface
Purchasing Material
Anticipating High-Tension Areas
Chapter 6: Installation Preparation
Preparing the Work Area
Old Vinyl Removal
Body Repairs
Body Parts Removal
Vehicle Surface Cleaning
Chapter 7: Installation Techniques
Measurements
Film Cutting
Heat Application
Horizontal Stretch
Trimming
Bridge
Tucking
Post Heating
Chapter 8: Resolving Issues
Steps to Avoid Problems
Color Distortion
Tears and Rips
Vehicle Disassembly
Planning
Chapter 9: Wrapping a Car Step by Step
Vehicle Disassembly
Cleaning and Preparation
Measuring and Cutting
Driver’s Side and Passenger’s Side Installation
Hood Application
Bumper Application
Trunk Application
Roof Application
Trim Application
Final Touches
Reassembly
Chapter 10: Vinyl Graphics Installation
Design Phase
Mock-Ups, Adjustments, and Obtaining Final Approval
Production Phase
Applying Transfer Film to Graphics
Vinyl Graphics Installation
Initial Positioning of Entire Graphics Set
How to Register Graphics for Installation
Installing a Graphic
Chapter 11: Vinyl Wrap Care and Protection
Reasons to Keep Vinyl Clean
How to Wash Vinyl Wrap
Difficult Contaminants
Washing Methods to Avoid
Fuel Spills 1
Gloss Vinyl Coating
Learn to vinyl wrap your automobile and achieve professional results!
Wrapping a vehicle in vinyl is a fairly modern concept. In the mid-1990s, German taxis were wrapped to preserve paint. NASCAR followed suit by wrapping its race cars as more primary sponsors came into the sport, which forged a need for quick turnaround times because paint was slow to dry. As vinyl costs decreased, the private sector began to emulate these practices, which created the vinyl-wrapped automobile option that is now available for anyone.
CarTech, in conjunction with Apex Customs, brings forth the most modern publication on vinyl wrapping with How to Vinyl Wrap Cars, Trucks, & Motorcycles, which is easy to follow and heavily illustrated. Outlined in this book are the benefits of wrapping, the science of wrap, vinyl graphics applications, and the tools of the trade.
The majority of this book features techniques to wrap a vehicle from start to finish. Installation techniques, such as measuring, cutting, applying heat, trimming, laying, tucking, and post-heat treatment are covered through illustrations. Troubleshooting help is included for bubbles, tears/rips, peeling, wrinkles, and cracking. Every component of a vehicle from the grille to the rear bumper is wrapped and featured in vivid detail.
Why spend tens of thousands of dollars on paint when you can change your car’s appearance year after year for a fraction of the cost? How to Vinyl Wrap Cars, Trucks, & Motorcycles will have your ride looking professionally wrapped and the talk of the show.
About the Authors
Acknowledgments
Chapter 1: Vinyl Wrap Benefits and Uses
21st-Century Graphics
What Is Vinyl Wrap?
Vinyl Wrap Uses and Applications
Vinyl Wrap Benefits
What Works Well with Vinyl Wrap
Vinyl Wrap versus Paint
Vinyl Wrap versus Paint Alternatives
Vinyl Wrap versus Powder Coating
Vinyl Wrap versus Liquid Wrap
Vinyl Wrap versus Bed Liner
Chapter 2: Vinyl Wrap Science and Characteristics
Science
Types
Adhesives and Activation
Air Channels and Bubbles
Finishes and Patterns
Characteristics
Myths
Chapter 3: Vinyl Graphics Uses and Applications
Print versus Plot
Full Wraps
Partial Wraps
Plotted Graphics
Vinyl Printing: Methods and Tools
Vinyl Plotting: Methods and Tools
Chapter 4: Before You Get Started
Materials
Preparation
Environment
Asking for Help
Cutting
Surfaces to Avoid
Storage
Chapter 5: Application Planning
Tools
Quantity, Cost, and Time Estimates
Measuring and Mapping the Surface
Purchasing Material
Anticipating High-Tension Areas
Chapter 6: Installation Preparation
Preparing the Work Area
Old Vinyl Removal
Body Repairs
Body Parts Removal
Vehicle Surface Cleaning
Chapter 7: Installation Techniques
Measurements
Film Cutting
Heat Application
Horizontal Stretch
Trimming
Bridge
Tucking
Post Heating
Chapter 8: Resolving Issues
Steps to Avoid Problems
Color Distortion
Tears and Rips
Vehicle Disassembly
Planning
Chapter 9: Wrapping a Car Step by Step
Vehicle Disassembly
Cleaning and Preparation
Measuring and Cutting
Driver’s Side and Passenger’s Side Installation
Hood Application
Bumper Application
Trunk Application
Roof Application
Trim Application
Final Touches
Reassembly
Chapter 10: Vinyl Graphics Installation
Design Phase
Mock-Ups, Adjustments, and Obtaining Final Approval
Production Phase
Applying Transfer Film to Graphics
Vinyl Graphics Installation
Initial Positioning of Entire Graphics Set
How to Register Graphics for Installation
Installing a Graphic
Chapter 11: Vinyl Wrap Care and Protection
Reasons to Keep Vinyl Clean
How to Wash Vinyl Wrap
Difficult Contaminants
Washing Methods to Avoid
Fuel Spills 1
Gloss Vinyl Coating
Related Products
