roof wrap DIY

[ToMeToYou]

Right...
Got a little bit of damage to the roof of my car and have smoothed it off but, it's an eyesore.

So, I'm thinking to get some gloss black vinyl to cover it and at the same time, probably make it look like it's a pan roof.

Anyway, I've found some gloss black vinyl on eBay for £25 delivered.

Could I wet apply this? Ie.. spray a load of soapy water on the roof and then install? Do I need to heat the vinyl up prior? Or?

I have attempted to do this in the past by installing with a dry roof and I completely and utterly screwed it up.

I don't want to pay £200 for wrap specialist or painter to sort it as the car will be up for sale soon... So need to keep expenses down.

Any tips?

[paintman]

Go on youtube & look for the professional fitters, plenty on there.

I toyed with the idea of doing the bonnet on mine as a temporary measure a few years ago as the lacquer was peeling but as the surface you put it onto needs to be sound I stripped & refinished it instead.

[BlindedByTheLights]

Is it normal vinyl or air release wrap vinyl? as it will differ how you should apply it. Also buy yourself some cutting tape, panel prep spray and a felt edge squeegee on eBay or similar so that you aren’t putting a knife into paint or scratching the vinyl when applying it. YouTube has lots of helpful vids but you should be able to get a good result if you take your time.

Forgot to add, please be honest with the buyer of the car at what lurks beneath too!

Edited by BlindedByTheLights on Thursday 30th March 21:30

[ToMeToYou]

BlindedByTheLights said:

Is it normal vinyl or air release wrap vinyl? as it will differ how you should apply it. Also buy yourself some cutting tape, panel prep spray and a felt edge squeegee on eBay or similar so that you aren’t putting a knife into paint or scratching the vinyl when applying it. YouTube has lots of helpful vids but you should be able to get a good result if you take your time.

Forgot to add, please be honest with the buyer of the car at what lurks beneath too!

Edited by BlindedByTheLights on Thursday 30th March 21:30

Sadly, YouTube make it look far too easy. I'm looking at this one...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/200659920382?mkcid=16&a...

You tell me if that can be wet applied? I'd prefer to wet apply it as it will definitely make life easier. I already ordered the squeegee thingy.

[BlindedByTheLights]

ToMeToYou said:

BlindedByTheLights said:

Is it normal vinyl or air release wrap vinyl? as it will differ how you should apply it. Also buy yourself some cutting tape, panel prep spray and a felt edge squeegee on eBay or similar so that you aren’t putting a knife into paint or scratching the vinyl when applying it. YouTube has lots of helpful vids but you should be able to get a good result if you take your time.

Forgot to add, please be honest with the buyer of the car at what lurks beneath too!

Edited by BlindedByTheLights on Thursday 30th March 21:30

Sadly, YouTube make it look far too easy. I'm looking at this one...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/200659920382?mkcid=16&a...

You tell me if that can be wet applied? I'd prefer to wet apply it as it will definitely make life easier. I already ordered the squeegee thingy.

That’s an air release vinyl so you don’t need to wet apply, it is a lot easier to lay as it has little channels to release the air. If the roof is pretty flat it shouldn’t need to be pre heated to apply but a post heat can help it set in place and prevent shrinkage.

[ToMeToYou]

BlindedByTheLights said:

ToMeToYou said:

BlindedByTheLights said:

Is it normal vinyl or air release wrap vinyl? as it will differ how you should apply it. Also buy yourself some cutting tape, panel prep spray and a felt edge squeegee on eBay or similar so that you aren’t putting a knife into paint or scratching the vinyl when applying it. YouTube has lots of helpful vids but you should be able to get a good result if you take your time.

Forgot to add, please be honest with the buyer of the car at what lurks beneath too!

Edited by BlindedByTheLights on Thursday 30th March 21:30

Sadly, YouTube make it look far too easy. I'm looking at this one...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/200659920382?mkcid=16&a...

You tell me if that can be wet applied? I'd prefer to wet apply it as it will definitely make life easier. I already ordered the squeegee thingy.

That’s an air release vinyl so you don’t need to wet apply, it is a lot easier to lay as it has little channels to release the air. If the roof is pretty flat it shouldn’t need to be pre heated to apply but a post heat can help it set in place and prevent shrinkage.

I've used this one before and I got it all wrong. 😂