Vinyl matte wrap by myself

[menerso]

OK, I am taking the leap and going to wrap my truck myself in a matte black. I found a site to get the wrap for around $500 (3M 1080), I have watched every video on Youtube and I feel it can be done. I got some sample sheets in and did some tests and feel it is doable.

My question is if anyone else have done this themselves and what they have found are the tough areas on the Raptor. I am wondering about the emblems and what did you use to re-attach them... (3M VHB tape??) I am wondering about going around the door handles... is it wise to remove them before the wrap?

Let me know your thoughts.

 

[RaptorScrew]

Good luck and we look forward to the project!

Be sure to take shots in progress. I would think that around the headlights will definitely be a challenge.

Keep us posted...


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[IRONMAN]

Good luck!
I to looked into doing this. Was going to take a coarse that 3M offered in traverse City but never got around to it.
I agree with RaptorSCrew, the head light area and any tight curve area should be a real pain in the ass.
Keep us posted on your progress.

 

[BOJANGLES]

Headlight area, front fenders, flairs, roof, the curve on the hood. Good luck!

 

[Blind1]

I would think you would need to remove everything possible (lights, door handles, emblems, etc...) before getting started. I recommend you call the local body shops to get an idea on what they use to re-attach emblems.
I too, would love to acquire the skills to accomplish a task like this, but I know I don't have the patience to do it. I can't even wrap a Christmas present right.

Good Luck and keep us posted

 

[Yogurt Raptor]

Good Luck.... Im with Blind 1, I would check and see what Ford suggest using to reattach emblems. I to would start with as much already removed from truck as possible. Vents, Fender flares, handles, emblems, lights, bed rails, and probably remove sirius antenna to. I believe hood will be the toughest and Ive seen my local tint shop do wraps and they usually remove hood from truck and place on sawhorses so they can get vinyl to wrap underneath the hood enough to help its longevity. Soapy water, Spray Bottle, and several differnt size squegies , and a lot of time is all you need I believe.


Tip Id buy a few new fender snaps in case you break them so your not stuck having to drive to dealer..

 

[Big Green Machine]

I don't envy you but applaud your effort.

When I had my truck wrapped the places that gave him the most headaches were the headlights, the mirror caps, the rear area where it curves in behind the bumper ends and the area of the body that curves in behind the bed. For some reason there were issues along one of the bed rails getting the top edge to stay down.

The key is prepping, cleaning and going slow.

I think some of the issues were heat related, or lack thereof considering the wrap started when it was dead of winter and his shop wasn't as warm as it could have been.

Good luck.

~BGM

---------- Post added at 09:17 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:15 AM ----------

Oh.. yes, we used 3M tape to reattach the emblems, take pics and measurements so you can get them back in the exact same spots.

We took off everything except the door handles, the flares, and the antenna mounts (terrestrial and SAT). i.e.: Headlights, taillights, rear bumper, hood vents, fender vents, badges, etc...

~BGM

 

[Squid 3]

Good luck. I consider myself a pretty handy guy and tried to tackle it myself. just the front end and it went from bad to worse. the hood just above the headlights got me.
I'm sure you'll do a much better job than I did.

 

[BOJANGLES]

I've also used 3M double sided tape for emblems, got it Auto Zone. (I removed my F-150 and Raptor badges, ditched the F-150 one and moved the Raptor one over to the driver's side to cover the alignment holes they use for the F-150 one) that stuff works great. Use a ton of pressure and a little heat and the emblem(s) will be very secure.

 

[menerso]

I will keep you all posted on my progress. I am ordering the film and prep stuff tomorrow.

Weeeeeeeee