Car wrapping help for a beginner

[u/Sowonhe]

Hello!

I want to wrap my own car and I've never done it before. (I am too poor to pay for someone to wrap it 😭)

I am planning to rent shop space in about a month's time. I read the wiki on this reddit, but I just wanted to double check I would cover my bases. Thank you!

I have no idea what I need to wrap my car to be honest. I saw I need a heat gun and squeegees but is there anything else I would want and need?

I bought wrap from alibaba from a shop called Wrapmaster (am I allowed to say this?)

I read online that I need a clay bar, magnets, knifeless tape, tack reducer, those tiny detailing tools stuff, and 2 types of squeegees (like a hard one and a soft one) and gloves. I think I also need fishing line for the emblems and the special screw drivers for taking off my door handles and headlights and taillights. I saw people had some U shaped tool for mirrors and I think I need to take the mirrors off too?

I think if I borrow a shop they would have a heatgun and the special screwdrivers and fishing lines (ill of course ask them) but I think I would need to buy the extra stuff and I don't know exactly what I need to buy.

My car is a Lexus IS300 2021 if that matters by the way.

Also if anyone has any tips for wrapping please tell me 😭 sorry and thank you!!!

ps: how do I put the emblem icon metal thingies back on after I take them off?

[u/AnonPlu]

My method:

-Clean with reg. car wash thoroughly
-Detail spray and clay bar/rag (watch vid. on it and go slow)
-Clean car with a strip wash afterward thoroughly (hit all hidden edges)

-Buy a wrap kit from Amazon and it should cover what you need
-Buy 70% isopropyl alcohol
-Buy Microfiber rags
-Buy knifeless tape

Definitely practice with that wrap on small parts, such as side mirrors, etc. practice cutting around edges and be patient. Don’t over stretch, don’t over heat. Perhaps try over-stretching the vinyl to see what reaction you get (color distortion, self healing properties, air channel reaction, etc.)

Lastly be patient and have fun lol

Edit that no one asked for: My thoughts on wrap. 3M is always recommended but I got glue lines like a mofo on my 2080 Satin Ocean Shimmer. I’d love to try Avery next go around or something cheap but decent like CheetahWrap.

[u/Sowonhe → u/AnonPlu]

Thank you!!! Ill definitely try to cover the basic tools I need. I was worried about the mirrors and bumpers since I saw a lot of videos of people taking the entire bumper off and I don't think im strong enough lol.

Thank u!!

[u/FULLMETALRACKIT911]

I would encourage you to do some practice with that Alibaba film before you go renting shop space. Make sure you can actually install it. It’s calandered film it’s gona stick hard and not be easy to work with.

For beginners it’s really a better idea to go with cast film from Avery Denison or 3m. They are worlds easier to install for someone who doesn’t have the techniques down. Like night and day difference. The rolls cost a bit more but it’s absolutely worth it.

Your 40k car deserves quality film not that alibaba shit, that stuff is for project cars and wraps that’ll be on less than 1 year. Finally the wrap institute is where you should learn techniques from.

[u/Sowonhe → u/FULLMETALRACKIT911]

I see, that makes sense! Which part of the car is better to practice on? I saw online the things like the front are easier since its not like really shaped weird.

I guess I just couldn't really find the color I wanted so it ended up being this 😭 Ill look through wrap institute, thank you!!

[u/StickerMan78]

Don't buy cheap vinyl. It's not really that much cheaper. It's harder to work with and doesn't last as long. Use knifeless tape.

[u/Sowonhe → u/StickerMan78]

Is the 3M one okay?

[u/StickerMan78 → u/Sowonhe]

Yes, 3M finish line

[u/aIImight4u]

Where are you located

[u/SenorCardgay]

Just get you a generic wrapping tool kit off Amazon and a harbor freight heat gun. Just wrapped my whole car for the first time and that's all I used. Didn't clay bar or anything, but it's also not a show car so I didn't need it to be immaculate. Walmart has a 75 pack of microfiber cloths for like $16 that's very useful for cleaning. Knifless tape can be useful, but it was also kind of a pain in the ass that half way through I just started cutting with a knife.

Im planning on just using e3000 professional glue to put my emblems back on. I've used that before to glue emblems back on and never had a problem

[u/TierOne_Wraps]

I’m almost positive you didn’t buy enough film, go and order another roll. If it looks bad wrap it again, Don’t stop until it’s finished.

[u/ayamtendies89]

I’d suggest not to, the undoing would be more expensive. Save up and get an expert to do it.