Vinyl wrap VS. Real paint

ok so im thinking about getting vinyl wraps on my tank side covers and fenders instead of traditional paint.
has anyone done this?
i figure it the most cost effective.
plus i can do some real kool graphics.

any one have any pros or cons to this?

I have a little experience with viny wraps most contoured vehicles have to be printed to accept the contours of what you are applying it to. Unless you are goint with random grapghics. or in several sections which leads to seams that on a large object the seems arent noticeable but in small tank might stickout like a sore thumb. lol with that said

I have toyed with the idea of setting up a pattern and scanning it to make a full contour wrap for the KZ tanks but since I am just a friend of the business my stuff isn't a money making prioity

but if you have any questions or designs PM me and I can help

ok so im thinking about getting vinyl wraps on my tank side covers and fenders instead of traditional paint.
has anyone done this?
i figure it the most cost effective.
plus i can do some real kool graphics.

any one have any pros or cons to this?

Not sure which process you are talking about?

I've seen the stuff that essentially is floated on water, then the part is dipped carefully to cause the floated pattern to apply and adhere to the part - OK for smaller stuff, but looks pretty tricky on something large like a tank...

Do you have a pointer to what you are considering?

I think what he is having done is a plain color wrap with graphics laid pver it then cleared

the place I hang out at does printed wraps for bush series cars and local businesses but most of that has the contour demensions in the computer for the hood top fenders etc...

they are suppoesed to get a float tank or whatever you call it this summer I am clearing out one of the warehouses to expand their graphics department. i have seen the float tank on OCC but never in real life I cant wait to try it lol

what im gonna get is a solid base color and the they are gonna put a vinyl flame job over the vinyl base then do a clear gloss coat and then chrome sticker emblems for the tank and side covers.
they take a vynil sheet, print everything out.

lay the base over the parts and heat it and stretch it and adhere it to cover the parts. then apply the flames the same way. spray it with a gloss protective coating the place the lettering decals.

gonna use something like Kentucky blue with reflective yellow flames (good visibility at night and they look awesome) it wont have the pixelization like the older wraps it should look pretty close to paint and be alot more durable.

plus its only 200 bucks for a custom wrap in any color with whatever graphic( no matter how complicated since its printed not airbrushed)

ill keep yall updated with pix when i get it done(may be a bit as im a broke dick lol)

I've been kicking around getting an ugly helmet done in carbon fiber pattern but opted for newer helmet. Let us know how it turns out. I have other ideas to possibly use it on.

Les

my graphics guy was talking to a customer about wrapping his entire dodge ram in carbon fiber rediculously expensive the mock carbon fiber vinyl is twice as expensive as the other vinyls.

ya definitely Les i gotta do some small sanding and patch the emblem holes before hand but ill definitely post some before and after pix

Cool, looking forward to seeing them

Les

the one thing that turned me off from wraps was when they said it is only good for about 3 years :pinch: .

you can get alot longer than that outta some decent paint.

leon

now the company i went to has done some local cop cars the towing company ambulances etc..... and i talked to vernells towing and they havent had to redo thiers yet and its looks awesome still, been on for 5 years

just parroting what i read.( alittle incorrectly it appears :pinch: )

here is what i read:

Q: How long will a wrap last?
A: Assuming the superior cast product is used, the typical life is five years. The printed vinyl is covered by a clear laminate with UV protection. After five years, the sunnier the environment, the quicker the degradation

Read more: www.hotrod.com/techarticles/body/hrdp_09...l.html#ixzz1v8sXOXcc


ymmv,
leon