Vinyl Wrapping v Respray?

[VicnStew]

Any one got any experience of, or opinions about, vinyl wrapping as opposed to an expensive respray? Only just come accross this idea and seems to be a potentially nice way to save money after blowing loads getting bodywork rust free and protected but i'm sure there's bound to be a catch!

[Jonnyb416]

I'm no professional but from my experience of seeing this type of question answered before, the rust starts from the inside, therefore, vinyl wrapping may only be worse for rust I.e. hiding it.

Get it rolled. When you see the rust return. Clean back, treat again and roll over.

Jon.

[trentjim]

from what ive seen the choice is between expensive respray or slighly less expensive vinyl wrapping or real cheap roller job...
and the amount you pay is not neccessarily reflected in the finish.
have you phoned anyone for a quote on vinyl wrapping?

[Silky]

We've got a vinyl wrap on our T25 and I guess it wasn't much different in cost to a respray. The life span is apparently 3-5 years, if it's treat well I suspect it'll be closer to the 5 years (plus?) as it's fairly hard wearing.

The wrap probably does protect the bodywork it covers, however it doesn't help some of the hot spots, eg in the corner of the windows for example as there are small gaps between the edge and the rubber.

We chose the wrap for advertising purposes, I'm currently doing up an LT and that's in the process of being roller painted, a great, cheap option.

Silky

[VicnStew]

have you phoned anyone for a quote on vinyl wrapping?

I have just started looking and have sent some electronic enquiries for quotes, seem to start from £1500

[VicnStew]

We've got a vinyl wrap on our T25 and I guess it wasn't much different in cost to a respray. The life span is apparently 3-5 years, if it's treat well I suspect it'll be closer to the 5 years (plus?) as it's fairly hard wearing.

The wrap probably does protect the bodywork it covers, however it doesn't help some of the hot spots, eg in the corner of the windows for example as there are small gaps between the edge and the rubber.

We chose the wrap for advertising purposes, I'm currently doing up an LT and that's in the process of being roller painted, a great, cheap option.

Silky

Thanks for the input silky, am considering the roller option too although worried about having no indoor space to carry out the work and having the time to do it in the first place as it does appear very time intensive

[Plasticman]

expensive respray????
bit of an odd request really .
if your van needs work in the seams and such then it needs work, the wrap is the same as the paint ,the major work is in the prep, so wrap and cover the rot if that makes you happy
mm

[VicnStew]

nah, wouldnt just cover the rot, will prep all first, just looking at various options for saving pennies etc etc blah blah blah, you know how it is

[Silky]

[
Thanks for the input silky, am considering the roller option too although worried about having no indoor space to carry out the work and having the time to do it in the first place as it does appear very time intensive

No indoor space here either, few home garages fit in a 3 metre high LT . The time is in the preparation which can be done in any temperature or weather, actually applying the paint is quick (it's only workable for a few minutes), the only problem is it needs to be at least 12 degrees outdoors. I started mine at the end of last year and the job's stopped until Spring, the wait is killing me. That said, for the cost of a couple of tins of Rustoleum the finish is great, and I know if I get bored of it I can do it again.

Silky

[Plasticman]

I think Silky sums it up for you, if you wrap the whole van , well I could get a decent coat of paint applied for less, then what happens when it comes through a while later, do you live with it or unwrap the area and then try patch up , nope go with the roller.
mm

[Jonnyb416]

If its a bling look that's wanted, for a year or so then the wraps your one. I could certainly think of a few great images I'd like to see on a van.

If, like some, you need a bit of longevity from your hard work, then roller.

If you got the cash do what you want.

[CovKid]

I'd still roller even if i was (though I'm not) intending to spray long term. As said above, the big advantage of rollering is it gives you time to identify genuine trouble areas rather than spending a fortune on a respray only to find it ruined within a year or so by emerging rust - I see a lot of that sadly. With Rustoleum you're giving a layer of protection for any future plans as well as highlighting bits that need much more thought. A wrap won't serve to do much except give a temporary clean look and you'll probably, if anything, make matters worse.

[VicnStew]

Well! as far as saving pennies goes, rollering just cant be beaten by the looks! Only issue is time (I am a mature student holding down 2 jobs and a Mrs!) and weather, but hey I'm sure I can manage both somehow

Has anyone ever offered a rollering service? seems like a good idea, I'm not trying to be lazy but I genuinely dont see how I would have the time until the summer holidays and its too late by then!

[CovKid]

Do it in stages then - panel by panel. A few have done it that way. It gives you a Sunday morning to do a bit and then go do something else with your life. Use masking tape along seam lines to create stop zones. Before you know it, in a few weeks its all done. Finish is down to prep, even coats and time spent flatting and polishing. Some are more than happy with finish as it is - I'm in that category. As long as it looks tidy and is shrugging off our rotten weather, thats fine with me. It means I can do any body repairs as and when I have time and roller back in afterwards.

You can spray it, but if you get the hang of rollering, theres not much difference between gun and roller. In fact I've seen brand new commercial vehicles where the finish was very poor compared to my roller paint. You really have to get into the executive car market to find perfect paint finishes these days. Manufacturers sell what the public will accept at a distance. Start looking at cars really carefully and you'll see what I mean.

I get asked a lot if I'll roller other peoples but its 90% prep. Best way is to get a panel flat and any minor chips sorted with vactan, then get the paint on. Takes ten minutes to do a whole side so one small panel won't take long at all. April/May are best months unless we get a mild March and you can start then. Leave it late and its way too hot and the bugs wake up. Leave those warmer months to help harden the paint further.

If in a years time you see trouble spots, sort them then roller in again. Rustoleum is fade-resistant. That way you can finally get a grip on any underlying rot. Certainly for restoration work, thats the best way to tackle it.

If you're adventurous you can mask off areas, do two-tone or even camo colours. Wish I'd done the latter actually. Just waiting to see someone else do a Rustoleum camo job. The DVD may inspire you!

[New Kentish Campers]

^^^^^WHS^^^^^ I have to say that I was sceptical on the concept of rollering as against the more traditional route of spraying, until I saw a van parked in Whitstable the other week. It is a very good way of making the van look nice, for little cost when compared to a respray.

And as for wraps, they look nice, etc etc, but do mention that you've had it done to your insurers as, trust me because I know from personal experience on a customers van, they will not pay for reinstatement if you make a claim; best you can hope for is the cost of the refinishing to the damaged areas and you then have to pay for the wrap on top