Satin Dark Grey 3M 1080 Vinyl Wrap

TommyC33 · 08-05-2016, 06:42 PM

I picked up a solid red 2016 370z Sport 6MT. Unfortunately, red is my least favorite color for a car.

I've ordered the material and tools and am going to attempt to wrap the car myself (first time!). I got quotes between $2,500-$4,000 to have it done, but decided for a total cost of $450 it was worth trying myself. It doesn't have to be perfect, so I figured why not.

Here are a couple pics of my car, and the color I'm wrapping it with.

TommyC33 · 08-05-2016, 06:43 PM

Wrap color

dvboy · 08-05-2016, 06:54 PM

Interesting project,I like the color you picked,make sure to follow this up with the "after" pics!!

OptionZero · 08-05-2016, 07:47 PM

if you don't like red, why did you buy a red car?

TommyC33 · 08-05-2016, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OptionZero

if you don't like red, why did you buy a red car?

It was the only sport manual within 500 miles and the price was right.

God-Speed · 08-05-2016, 10:47 PM

Keep us up to date on how things go. Best of luck and most important, Take Your Time!!!

Ventruck · 08-05-2016, 11:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TommyC33

It was the only sport manual within 500 miles and the price was right.

Nah man. The color chose you. It's your destiny.

no but really, I had no control over color either. Best deal in the local market was in Black Cherry. I'm not hating it, but I likely wouldn't have picked it given the choice.

Djvalerio921 · 08-06-2016, 12:35 AM

Same here, the only MT 370 within 500 miles and it was in black :/ hoping to wrap it in either red or white.. Looking forward to progress pics!

sunkist350z · 08-06-2016, 12:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OptionZero

if you don't like red, why did you buy a red car?

lol

axmea? · 08-06-2016, 01:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TommyC33

It was the only sport manual within 500 miles and the price was right.

Wrap jobs are never 100% even with the pros. It never lasts. I've seen pro jobs that don't even show well after 3-6 months.

Hope all goes well with your DIY. Take your time and watch out for those difficult corners and edges. The bad weather in the midwest + bad install = aaarrghh.

CDepp · 08-06-2016, 01:52 AM

Ugh, here we go again. Rest assured, it wont just be not perfect, but far from it. Id wager the 2500 quote would end you with "not perfect". Skilled installers know their worth, and theres a billion dollar industry surrounding the training and certifying of installers. If you havent laid a panel in 1080 before, be aware of stretch and adhesive lines, relift lines, and scoring. Also, make sure you have a second set of hands around for every panel. Pull bumpers and headlights and taillights, side rockers and the wing. Clear real good in the crevices as wax and grease buildup is common there. Pull inner door panel to remove mirror and loosen handles. Dont overstretch the tag recessed area or the lip to the lower accent diffuser. Im only giving you these day1 tips because if a person sees your car as their first exposure to wrapped vehicles, it makes it hard for a professional to erase that first encounter from their memory and show them what a good wrap should be. And, that affects their ability to pay their mortgage, child costs, etc.
Good luck! And be sure to order from the same lot the short roll you have was cut from when you need to order more. Wrap on, brother!

CDepp · 08-06-2016, 01:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by axmea?

Wrap jobs are never 100% even with the pros. It never lasts. I've seen pro jobs that don't even show well after 3-6 months.

Hope all goes well with your DIY. Take your time and watch out for those difficult corners and edges. The bad weather in the midwest + bad install = aaarrghh.

Those arent pro wraps.

Those are overpriced amateur wraps. I have wraps on the road 5 years old looking as good as the day they left tge shop (with inclusion of some chips from years of driving) i just removed my 46k old wrap this week on my shop car.

CDepp · 08-06-2016, 01:59 AM

^I've also been working with vinyl since 1996, and take the term "pro" to mean professional. And, i take that term for literal meaning- product of years of training, and experience.

"You dont get good at wraps until your 50th car, and you dont get excellent until your 200th. You wont be considered a professional in the industry until your 500th"

sunkist350z · 08-06-2016, 02:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CDepp

^I've also been working with vinyl since 1996, and take the term "pro" to mean professional. And, i take that term for literal meaning- product of years of training, and experience.

"You dont get good at wraps until your 50th car, and you dont get excellent until your 200th. You wont be considered a professional in the industry until your 500th"

I only wrap small carbon vinyl wrap on my motorcycle and its a bitch...Cant imagine a whole car, especially the sexy 370z. Red is awesome color keep it.

axmea? · 08-06-2016, 02:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CDepp

Ugh, here we go again. Rest assured, it wont just be not perfect, but far from it. Id wager the 2500 quote would end you with "not perfect". Skilled installers know their worth, and theres a billion dollar industry surrounding the training and certifying of installers. If you havent laid a panel in 1080 before, be aware of stretch and adhesive lines, relift lines, and scoring. Also, make sure you have a second set of hands around for every panel. Pull bumpers and headlights and taillights, side rockers and the wing. Clear real good in the crevices as wax and grease buildup is common there. Pull inner door panel to remove mirror and loosen handles. Dont overstretch the tag recessed area or the lip to the lower accent diffuser. Im only giving you these day1 tips because if a person sees your car as their first exposure to wrapped vehicles, it makes it hard for a professional to erase that first encounter from their memory and show them what a good wrap should be. And, that affects their ability to pay their mortgage, child costs, etc.
Good luck! And be sure to order from the same lot the short roll you have was cut from when you need to order more. Wrap on, brother!

Point taken. I have never seen a wrap job that would satisfy me as a consumer. I'm here in CA and have seen many show cars with wrap work that I know would not last. I've been on many shows and have not seen satisfactory work. The few do's and don't tips you mentioned above are variables that has to be in place for a perfect and lasting install. And these are things a pro can control. Add external issues like bad weather, heat, moisture, etc. it's just not worth it. Many professional installs never last IMO let alone DIY work.

OP - learn to love red instead.

Official Solid Red 370Z Thread

08-05-2016, 06:54 PM	#3 (permalink)
dvboy Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Canada Posts: 269 Drives: 2016,M6 Rep Power: 26	Interesting project,I like the color you picked,make sure to follow this up with the "after" pics!! __________________ Pioneer AVIC 8000NEX,Hertz ML 1600,ScanSpeak D3004,Audison AV 5.1K,Helix DSP.2,Illusion Audio L10 Sub,RJM Clutch pedal,Stillen G3 long tube intake,Nismo exhaust,AAM S-line axle back,Ecutek tune

08-05-2016, 07:47 PM	#4 (permalink)
OptionZero A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Sacramento Posts: 3,225 Drives: 15 370Z Nismo 6MT Rep Power: 214100	if you don't like red, why did you buy a red car? axmea? and JC-Nismo like this.

08-06-2016, 01:52 AM	#11 (permalink)
CDepp Track Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 837 Drives: sideways Rep Power: 14	Ugh, here we go again. Rest assured, it wont just be not perfect, but far from it. Id wager the 2500 quote would end you with "not perfect". Skilled installers know their worth, and theres a billion dollar industry surrounding the training and certifying of installers. If you havent laid a panel in 1080 before, be aware of stretch and adhesive lines, relift lines, and scoring. Also, make sure you have a second set of hands around for every panel. Pull bumpers and headlights and taillights, side rockers and the wing. Clear real good in the crevices as wax and grease buildup is common there. Pull inner door panel to remove mirror and loosen handles. Dont overstretch the tag recessed area or the lip to the lower accent diffuser. Im only giving you these day1 tips because if a person sees your car as their first exposure to wrapped vehicles, it makes it hard for a professional to erase that first encounter from their memory and show them what a good wrap should be. And, that affects their ability to pay their mortgage, child costs, etc. Good luck! And be sure to order from the same lot the short roll you have was cut from when you need to order more. Wrap on, brother! Kzonts likes this. __________________ -CDepp- 2011 MB Base+S M6 \| Invidia Exhaust \| TommyKairaHebiBeibi \| H&R Spacers 15/20 \| GTR Start \| 305hp/240tq

08-06-2016, 01:59 AM	#13 (permalink)
CDepp Track Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 837 Drives: sideways Rep Power: 14	^I've also been working with vinyl since 1996, and take the term "pro" to mean professional. And, i take that term for literal meaning- product of years of training, and experience. "You dont get good at wraps until your 50th car, and you dont get excellent until your 200th. You wont be considered a professional in the industry until your 500th" sunkist350z, MagmaRed370z and Kzonts like this. __________________ -CDepp- 2011 MB Base+S M6 \| Invidia Exhaust \| TommyKairaHebiBeibi \| H&R Spacers 15/20 \| GTR Start \| 305hp/240tq

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God-Speed A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Austin, Tx. Posts: 4,364 Drives: Prototype Rep Power: 2684377	Keep us up to date on how things go. Best of luck and most important, Take Your Time!!!

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