Project Wrap

[TheJoker]

This gives me hope...

I'd say just go for it. If you're a bit handy, got a sharp knife, some scissors and a squeegee, you've not got anything to lose.

My intention is to summarise my experience once I've got it done, but for now, ask and I'll do my best to explain what I know. I feel I'm learning with every sheet of vinyl I use.

 

[Greggers]

I was also looking at the 3M stuff - I think the thickness has a lot to do with the ease with which it can be applied, but as was said, heat heat heat is the answer...

 

[vtr1000sp1]

Yep Greggers, the heat really changes the properties of the stuff! It’s pretty impressive the way in which it changes. Only thing to watch out for is not giving it too much heat where you could then stretch the pattern printed on the outer surface when covering your item.

It's not cheap but gives good results!

Someone asked about covering scratches. I think the 3M stuff would be thick enough to cover over scratches – not talking caverns though!

Cheers
Phil

 

[TheJoker]

Righto.... Panels 4 (LHS side panel) and 5 (beak) are done, panel 6 (RHS side panel) to go.

Panel 4 top part.

Another shot of Panel 4 top.

Panel 4 done.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_RYaCsvd_Rss/TV4nZeqsGyI/AAAAAAAAIfM/9fyaTN5jSh0/s640/photo%20008.JPG[/IMG

Panel 4 from the front.
[IMG]https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_RYaCsvd_Rss/TV4naOV32sI/AAAAAAAAIfQ/Qnd_RnarUTo/s640/photo%20010.JPG
You can see some tiny air bubbles at the front. You can also spot at least one seam in the pic.

Panel 4 from the bottom/rear.

Again you can spot some tiny bubbles, and some seams "up-n-under" the gill.

Comparison between Panel 4 (wrapped) and Panel 6 (unwrapped)

Panel 4 on the bike.

Panel 5 wrapped.

Another shot of panel 5.

The conclusion is that, although not perfect, I'm pretty pleased with the overall result. The photos reveal a lot more than you can see "walking by". I'm probably still going to redo some of the panels, faux-tank, at least.

I'm hoping to get down to Ace Café on Sunday for the Overland thingy should anyone want a butchers.

Right, one more panel to do (round 1), when I have time.

 

[(RIP) Kaister]

its about time you moved onto your next biking fad , isn't it ?

 

[TheJoker]

its about time you moved onto your next biking fad , isn't it ?

I was wondering when you'd run out of other people to annoy and it would be my turn again. I'll call your mummy so she'll put the toys back in the pram.

 

[(RIP) Kaister]

keep alert

 

[TheJoker]

keep alert

Why should I?

 

[TheJoker]

Right, all panels done, version 1.

This is how horrible and desperate it looks whilst in the middle of it.

At this stage one can't think it'll end up even half-decent.

But, it can turn out half-decent. :cool

No bubbles, very few creases. Biggest problem is the F800GS decal showing through. I'm hoping to remedy that by sticking a new decal on top of it.

Albeit I'm least pleased with this (Panel 6) side of the panels (vs Panel 4), it's not too bad at all. All the "problems" are on the "underside" and not easily spotted.

Here you can see some of the patchwork.

This is how the bike looks now.

... Other side:

What's next...?
Well, I want to redo the faux-tank panel ASAP. Not only because of the seams, but because I've decided I want it matt-black, with some charcoal at the front. :cool :cool Then, I think I'll leave it a bit and see how it fares and what bugs me. If I'm not happy with it, I'll tear it all off.

Overall, not too bad.

 

[Stop Stop]

looking good got me thinking now...

 

[TheJoker]

It looks "alright" yeah... nice from a distance, but it's not paint finish.

If anyone is going to the Ace Café Overland/Adventure day today, we'll be there, so you can have a look and judge for yourself.

 

[Axel F]

Bike looks good in that colour, thanks for all the posts Ive been following it, wouldnt mind giving it ago myself. I think its excellent little skill to have if you get it mastered.

Quick question do all the panels come off easy enough?

 

[Farmer Palmer]

Rap Rappin!

I quite like the idea of changing the colour and the fact that the wrap could protect the finish of the original panel.

I have a spare set of 'rattle can' painted panels for Mrs Ps F650GS and was going to have them repainted but I might try wrapping them just to see how it could work out. It's a cheap way of seeing what a bike would look like without having it painted and regretting the colour choice later.

A flat colour like white might reflect the light back easier and show less blemishes. Also the shape of a simple panel would be much easier to wrap.

FP.

 

[TheJoker]

Thanks guys!

I re-wrapped the faux-tank last night. It went OK, thanks to a very patient CrazyCaz, but then the wrapping started getting in the way of my beer drinking so I ran out of patience. Result was several creases. I'll upload the pictures soon so you can see for yourself.

If you're considering doing it, I say go for it. It's so cheap that there's virtually nothing to lose. It takes skill and paitence. I've noticed that I've learnt from every panel I've wrapped, but I still lack a lot of skill. Patience I've got so-so.

Red/White bike for Xmas, Yellow for Easter, Green for summer, Orange/Red/Brown for autumn, etc.

Quick question do all the panels come off easy enough?

Yes, they come of surprisingly easily. Most bolts are easy to spot, and there's no hidden tricks or kung-fu-grips to master. You can take all painted panels off under 10 minutes if you're in a hurry. In fact, they're so easy to take off that I'm now considering taking them off if I do a thorough wash.

 

[Axel F]

Thanks guys!

Yes, they come of surprisingly easily. Most bolts are easy to spot, and there's no hidden tricks or kung-fu-grips to master. You can take all painted panels off under 10 minutes if you're in a hurry. In fact, they're so easy to take off that I'm now considering taking them off if I do a thorough wash.

Cheers bud thats good to know, took panels off previous bikes before and always seemed to be a pain to get back on and get them flush again

 

[TheJoker]

Faux-Tank, attempt 3 (I think ).

Off with the old;

Notice the lack of sanding, priming, chemicals, etc, etc.

Here we go... all pretty good so far...

But it was going to get worse... We were running out of patience and needed beer.

And this is how it ended up.

Damn creases!!!

On the bike #1;

On the bike #2;

Damn creases!
But fear not... all I have to do is redo it.

 

[jolyon_russ]

I had a go yesterday and got very frustrated, might not have been such a good idea to start with the tank, the hardest panel

I ended up getting the missus involved and tried applying from the middle out, taking a bit of backing off at a time, but the result was creases galore

When I have some spare time and more patience I'm going to start with a back panel and see how I go...

 

[TheJoker]

The pieces that are easiest are the rear panels, on the (real) tank, one on the filler side and the other side. The filler side has got a nasty ridge, but the other side is probably the easiest one to start with. Other than that, I found the top of the side panels quite easy, and the beak wasn't too hard either. The bottom of the side panels required a lot of pieces, th tank I've not figured out.

Don't give up, just keep at it, you'll be getting better by leaps and bounds very quickly.

 

[Steve the Kiwi]

Might be good to line alu panniers with the stuff to stop the marks on your kit......

 

[DRIVER]

Very cool. Thanks for setting all of us thinking about the what if ...

We had a Sprinter Van lettered recently and the company's sales rep showed up in a car that had been wrapped in flat black. Nice, now it's a conspiracy !