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Custom Cladding...not Paint

Looks good, but a little too thick for me, great idea... is there a thiner type of vinyl? maybe heat it to thin it out?


~BIDRED
 
Big Red,
Actually you can't tell from the picture, but it's the thinnest 3M makes. It looks thick because of the rouigh texture of the cladding. It looks almost exactly like the rock guard paint on the lower portion of some vehicles.
 
maybe thats what it is... I like the smooth look. well looks good no matter what. any plans on doing the nose and rear bumper?


btw is that a north face? it sure looks like one. >:D


~BIGRED
 
Big Red,
Yes it is a North Face, and no I don't Plan on any more vinyl. I just wanted to set off that section to see how it would look. The good thing is I can remove it if I decide to.
 
I have seen a AV at a local dealership that has smooth painted cladding. I inquired to the sales manager. He said they done it in their body shop for around $2000. All the texture was sanded smooth. Looked nice. However the paint (white) was a shade brighter. They done two. Did not see the black one. Just FYI
 
Looks good ATGR! How much did it cost? You mention it was tough, do you think someone could do all the cladding or is that too much?
 
i'm really interested in this. could you post more info like part numbers, price, and how hard it really was. that looks great. i was thinking of doing the same to my green av and doing small part of the front bumper. how has it help up with washs and stuff
 
NICE, looks like it makes a nice edge. I'm interesed in the cost. Do they make it in Black and how well does it stay stuck? Heat and water have any effect?
 
I'm very curious as to how long that vinyl is going to "stick", due to the texture of the cladding. If it were sanded down I would think it would stick fine, but the way it is... ???

It looks really good though Atgr!!
 
OK Guys, I'll try to answer some of the questions.
It is 3M sign vinyl. You can get it in any color your heart desires. I own a part time graphics business, thats why I tried it in the first place. There is no part number, just pick a color.

If this stuff is applied correctly it won't come off.
There are a few "tricks" I used to put it on, including heat from a hair dryer. PATIENCE is another big key.

In this case you don't use any application tape. This way you can work it and stretch it to fit the coutours. That is the only way you can prevent it from wrinkling. There are a couple of small wrinkles in mine, but they are underneath where they won't be seen.

It was not pre-cut. I applied it in one rectangular piece and used a sharp X-acto knife to trim it along the contour of the cladding. I left it long on the bottom and wrapped it up and stuck it on the backside of the cladding to prevent it from lifting.

The other thing that is hard to see is there is a 3/8" stripe that is in the crevice at the top. This covers any uneven edges where it was trimmed.
WHEW...that about covers it.
 
great info. thanks for posting that (y) i'm still very interested in this. can this vinyle be purchased by people not in the graphics biz. if so would you have any ideas where or the name of the vinyle. do you know if there is a color that matches a forest green av
 
look in the phone book under sign makers. most of them will usually sell vinyl by the rolls. some will even sell it by the sq ft.

 
As was previously stated you should not need a buy a roll. I should have said I applied mine in 4 pieces(one for each door). Add 3 or 4 inches to your measured length where it is going so you can make the trim cut on one end and wrap it inside the door on the other.

I'm considering doing the area behind the rear tires and will try to take pictures while I do it. Then maybe it will give you a better idea what is involved.
 
From the prices of the vinyl, it looks like this might be worth a try. Are there any special tools I should order to install the vinyl. Any of you guys who work with this stuff have a recomendation on a brand/color to match Indigo Blue?
Thanks.
 
i agree that the price is right. i'm got contact the company and see about some samples before i orders a large roll. i must say they sure do have rainbow of colors :) i'm think of either a blue or a green for my forest green av. i'm thinking the blue might set off the green and give it more of a two-tone feel.

side note - you can also by reflective rolls. that could really interesting. >:D
 
That looks fantastic! Do you think a novice like me could do it since you are in the business and it seems to have taken you a while to do it? Also, what color would match indigo blue? Thanks! :B:
atgr said:
Hey all,
If you go to my link you'll see what I tried on my cladding. It's vinyl, not paint. It was a tough application, but came out OK.
Pay no attention to the edge of a trampoline that snuck in to one picture...oops!
Lets hear what you think, good or bad
Thanks
http://community.webshots.com/album/40276130fByCZm
Click to expand...
 
That looks really nice . . and I like the non-permanent nature of it . . . and with a variety of colors you can even change the looks of it at different times . . .

Let's see . . . :0: how about woodgrain like Mom and Dad's old station wagon . . . NOT. :D:
 
OK here is a little more info.

This is something anyone can do, although this type of application takes practice.

I recommend 3M vinyl and make sure you get "Cast" vinyl not "Calendered". Cast is the premium stuff.

I recommend cleaning the area of application thoroughly with alcohol, making sure it is dry before you begin.

You will need a plastic squeegee also. A sign busines should sell you one.

I think there are enough colors available to match about anything, I've even got some of the shade shifter stuff like the expensive paint.

When I get back home on Saturday I'll try to give you an idea what might match some of the AV colors.

As I said previously I'll do the area behind the rear wheels and take pictures so you can see how it's done.

By the way, the 3M paint protection film may be thicker than normal vinyl. That would make it extremely difficult to install.
Thanks for all the interest!
 
ATR
You are to be commended for this idea :0: and all the information provided. Think I?ll give this a try before forking out $1500 to have the cladding painted. Hey if I screw up or don?t like it can just peal it off.
 
Atgr,
I like what you have done. I was considering painting the chrome bar in the middle of our grill that holds the bowtie. I am wondering if I could try this on the chrome bar? It would be great if this would work as then I wouldn't have ruined the chrome by sanding and priming it. Do you believe it to be durable enough on the front to withstand bugs/small rocks?

Jamie
 
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