Using 3M vinyl wrap, anyone got experience?

[wynne71]

Hello all.

I have just inherited a set of 159 wing mirror caps in black (thanks perksy ) and want to have a play getting them right for my 159 LE.

As the LE has anthracite wheels, the chrome Ti style caps wouldn't look right in my eyes. So have been looking at the possible alternatives.

I'm liking the brushed aluminium look, and a darker silver carbon fibre look.

Both of these come in the 3M vinyl solution, so am looking for advice on fitting this to the exterior of the mirror caps.
Do folk think the vinyl would wrap properly around the shape? There is a complicated curve/kink on the back edge of the caps. Also, worried about the weather proof nature of this stuff.

All help and thoughts appreciated.

Oh, the reason I'm doing this is that the actual metal look mirror caps are over £65+, the wrap is around £12/£15 for the stuff I'm looking at. So if it works, its a no brainer!

Maybe if it works I can help a few other with the "upgrade".

Cheers.

[dtone]

You should be able to wrap it to the mirror cap but it is one of the hardest part of the car to wrap as it is so curved. You also need squeegee and a heat gun to manipulate the vinyl to get around those curves. One advice do not just trim it just at the end or rim of the mirror cap as chances are it will shirk due to the stretching(i know from past experienced).Once you have eliminate the folds or creases on the vinyl remove the mirror cap and then tuck behind or underneath the mirror cap itself. I just installed just one of my mirror today.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-V...2/IMAG0425.jpg

[wynne71]

Sounds like good advice to me, cheers. I have the mirror caps off the car (a spare set) so should be easier to do on their own.

Will certainly need the heat gun, will take some manipulating to get the curves done properly.

[Joss]

It's a tricky business using 3m. I covered all of the silver trim on my facelift 156 interior. Get a decent heat gun. Buy way more than you need. A couple of bits I got right first time but most are on their 2nd or 3rd version after I decided I wasn't happy with th finish. Try and tuck all edges under something. If you leave an edge it will peel. I'll dig out some pictures of the dash for you later. Heavily curved objects are tricky but not impossible

[wynne71]

Thanks Joss.
I was uncertain as to try the vinyl or go for a spray instead. The paint/spray option certainly sounds easier!

Will order some of the brushed alu vinyl and try one mirror.

[Joss]

Here you go . I've done a steering wheela and the binacles too so it is very possible

[dtone]

Originally Posted by wynne71

Sounds like good advice to me, cheers. I have the mirror caps off the car (a spare set) so should be easier to do on their own.

Will certainly need the heat gun, will take some manipulating to get the curves done properly.

You still need to have the mirror cap on the actual wing but loose enough to remove it so make sure it doesn't come off and have one of the clip attach. The main reason is you need it to hold it in place when you stretch around the curve. I will try and take pictures later today as I need to do the offside hoping the weather holds and does not rain.

[wynne71]

Joss, the interior looks really good. Fingers crossed it sticks and stays! I have seen a video on YouTube showing someone doing a console trim, using the heat gun to meld the vinyl round the trim edges.
My only worry with the wing mirror cap is the inner edge, its got a sharp turn and a sharper edge. I think the vinyl, even heated, would struggle to get round this.

Still, I think it is worth a try!

Would be good to see photos of yours dtone. I think the 147/GT mirrors are a little more rounded than the 159 ones.

[Joss]

Cheers mate. The sharp turns aren't a problem for the vinyl. The heat gun makes it go like balloon rubber. Careful not to over heat it or it looses it's texture and so you loose some of the finish. Your biggest problem will be lifting edges. As said, make sure you get it tucked over and rounds the back of any edges you can. I used super glue in places after a month when some edges started to lift although now it's been fine for 9 months or so with no issues

[wynne71]

The mirror caps have a nice little edge to tuck under. It is where the cap seats in the wing mirror housing, so hopefully will give a nice snug fit.

Will make sure I clean the paint surface with alcohol before trying to fit.

Am thinking of ordering this stuff:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BRUSHED-AL...ht_8437wt_1141

Should do the job.

[dtone]

Right here it is after a couple of times where it was spitting of rain but luckily if did not fully rain at the end.

1 Remove the mirror by prizing off with a screwdriver or similar.
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-v...2/IMAG0427.jpg
2 You should the undo the clips that hold the mirror cap
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-y...2/IMAG0429.jpg
3 started the mould the vinyl wrap to the mirror
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-p...2/IMAG0430.jpg
3 Finished shaping the vinyl
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-h...2/IMAG0431.jpg
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-j...2/IMAG0432.jpg
4 - trim off about and leave about 1 to 1.5cm of vinyl from the rim of the mirror cap
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--...2/IMAG0433.jpg
5 - Finish job
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-q...2/IMAG0434.jpg

Just to let you know that I am not using 3M but a brand called KPMF,its a UK Vinyl manufacturer.Hope that helps.

I didn't mention but make sure that you wash off ant way or polish on the cap and if you got any Isopropyl then use this to do a final clean before you apply the vinyl. Make sure that you clean around the rim of the cap when you take it off in the beginning if not then chances are it will unstick at a later date.

Good luck

[wynne71]

Nice job.

I am beginning to see just how pliable this stuff is. Seems like the heat can help to get it in some pretty stretched shapes.
My worry with my job will be the effect the heat and stretch will have on the brushed alum finish. I can but try!

Am really up for this job now, cheers for the input.

[MalcQV]

Used the Di-Noc stuff (think that's the name) on door sills. I found it a bit awkward to use, but then I'm **** at anything like that

Paint is easier.

[alfamaninworcs]

Hope it goes well, I would like to see some pics afterwards and I might do mine.

[tzziviielles]

attention with 3m not to heat it woo much as it will easily make some nasty looking bends.

if i can suggest you something, i would go for the mito QV anthracite color, enjoin one every day it looks rather nice.

cheers

[wynne71]

Thanks for the input all, I've taken the jump and ordered this:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1206724876...ht_7638wt_1398

I went for the anthracite CF in the end as I felt this would work better with the wheels I have. But, if I don't like them after the work, I will either sell them or re-fit another colour!

Can't wait for the stuff to arrive now!

[Joss]

make sure it's genuine. Should be textured on the front and very matte looking. Should also haev 3M logos all over the back of it. lots of fakes on ebay

[TOX1C]

Originally Posted by Joss

Here you go . I've done a steering wheela and the binacles too so it is very possible

I've been considering doing mine in silver CF, I may now give it a go. How did you cope with the climate vents on the consol?

[davidjwbailey]

has anyone ever tried to take it off a car, and what damage did they find if they did?

if i was offered one second hand, I would automatically assume the car had a scrape / paint failure / rust issue underneath; so how do you guys get over that ?

[eaglemmoomin]

Yeah I'd be wary of that too. If anything is out of the ordinary like that people tend to get funny especially about cars.

[wynne71]

I'm only doing the mirror caps, which are plastic and don't tend to rust that often, and will keep the original black ones as spares, so doubt there will be too much suspicion.......

[MalcQV]

Originally Posted by davidjwbailey

has anyone ever tried to take it off a car, and what damage did they find if they did?

if i was offered one second hand, I would automatically assume the car had a scrape / paint failure / rust issue underneath; so how do you guys get over that ?

If I did it to my car, I would have it removed or at least offer to have it removed prior to selling.
If I do by the time I have finished with the car it will as usual (in my case) the scrap wrap will be worth more than the car

[dtone]

Originally Posted by davidjwbailey

has anyone ever tried to take it off a car, and what damage did they find if they did?

if i was offered one second hand, I would automatically assume the car had a scrape / paint failure / rust issue underneath; so how do you guys get over that ?

There is a right and wrong way to take a wrap off. The longer the wrap has been applied,the bond will be a lot stronger. So if you do want to remove a wrap safely,you would need to heat up at the corner of the panel your working on with a heat gun and peal it slowly.The heat will loosen the adhesive and make the peeling process easier and less likely to damage it.

Now if you yank the the wrap without heating it up then its a bit like waxing a leg,when pulled hard all the hair come off meaning the potential of paint damage.

The other reason why paint will peel off is when it was initially wrap,if it has been partially respraint say from an accident,the paint has not cured and therefore it has a higher chance for peeling.

Wraps can be beneficial keeping the body work in good condition from the elements from the sun,stone chips,light scratches to salts through the winter.

For your info I've never wax my legs lol it was just metaphorically speaking

[davidjwbailey]

Originally Posted by wynne71

I'm only doing the mirror caps, which are plastic and don't tend to rust that often, and will keep the original black ones as spares, so doubt there will be too much suspicion.......

that actually makes a lot of sense, given that the standard fit is pretty "nondescript"

[davidjwbailey]

Originally Posted by dtone

For your info I've never wax my legs lol it was just metaphorically speaking

It's ok, we don't discriminate against Olympic cyclists in here