How to Install a Vinyl Wrap Extrusion
Vinyl wrap extrusions are often used as the primary medium for applying an advertising or customization graphic onto vehicles or glass. Vinyl's heat properties make it the perfect material for adhesion onto a glass or metal surface. Several varieties of vinyl wrap exist to choose from based on your needs. Installing vinyl wrap is relatively straightforward, requiring only a few common tools to complete. Installing vinyl wrap yourself will save money and takes only a few hours of time.
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Things You'll Need
- Non-lotion detergent
- Water
- Non-abrasive sponge
- Vinyl solvent cleaner
- Lint free cloth
- 3M primer
- Small paint brush
- Heat proof cotton gloves
- Hand torch
- Squeegee
Instructions
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Thoroughly prepare the surface by washing it with a solution of non-lotion detergent and water, using a non-abrasive sponge. Rinse with water and dry with a lint free cloth.
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Allow the surface to dry completely, preferably in temperature-controlled environment overnight --- a garage, for example.
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Bring the surface temperature of the vehicle or glass up to a minimum of 60 degrees Fahrenheit by raising the temperature of the room in which you'll install the vinyl or waiting for a warm, sunny day.
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Identify areas where the vinyl wrap could lift once adhered, such as concave and convex areas. Apply a thin coat of 3M primer using a paint brush around the edges of these areas and allow it to dry for five minutes.
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Peel away the protective strip from the back of the vinyl and position it onto the prepared surface. Roughly smooth out wrinkles by running the palm of your hand from the center of the vinyl out to the edges, working you way around the entire piece.
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Equip a pair of heatproof cotton gloves. Turn on the torch and heat the surface of the vinyl to roughly 180 degrees Fahrenheit by sweeping the flame across the surface carefully. Keep the flame in constant motion while applying heat to avoid blistering the vinyl.
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Remove wrinkles and air bubbles with by running a squeegee over the problem areas with medium to hard pressure at a sharp angle in a sweeping motion from the center to the edge of the vinyl.
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Re-heat areas with wrinkles and air bubbles, and run the squeegee over them if you're having difficulty flattening them out.
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Heat the vinyl to roughly 200 degrees Fahrenheit once all wrinkles and bubbles have been removed. Accomplish this by moving the torch roughly 1 inch every two to three seconds.
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Tips & Warnings
Generally, vinyl wrap doesn't require cutting, but if you need to cut a portion due to overlap, heat the vinyl to soften it and cut it with sharp utility knife.
