Geek Wraps (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) has specialized in the vehicle-decoration for approximately five years, according to Kenny Calman, the shop’s sales and production manager. He said, “We insist that vehicles to be waxed be brought to our shop clean, and, preferably, not waxed.” Installers usually disassemble cars as much as possible, although the make and model to be wrapped somewhat influence that procedure.
Typically, Geek Wraps begins its process with a Prep-Sol application to the vehicle surfaces before completing preparation with a wipedown with 91% isopropyl alcohol. He said what constitutes a difficult a wrap isn’t a car’s complement of complex curves. Rather, he said an old car covered with a shoddy coat of paint, overspray, broken or missing parts, moulding or trim, or simply matted with embedded dirt that’s difficult to remove.
To set out its shingle, Geek Wraps plied its trade on this Ford Econoline commercial van. The design, which was completed with Adobe Photoshop and 3D Studio software, features a somewhat quirky, green typeface that befits the shop’s quirky brand identity. The shop output the shop on its Roland SolJet Pro IIV SC 545-EX printer/cutter on Avery Dennison Graphics’ MPI 1005 Supercast air-release media.
The shop implements several of its own, proprietary tools, which it sells to other shops. Geek wraps uses soft-tipped Super Squeeges to apply the media, and Power Slam magnets to secure the vinyl during the installation process. For extremely tight areas where installers prefer to use their hands, the shop uses Wrap Juice. Callman said warmed vinyl was quick to fold and cause wrinkles that require re-work. He noted the fluid allows fingers to move easily over warmed vinyl while pressing and setting the vinyl on the surface and eliminate abrasiveness. Callman said, “With this technique, we’re able to ‘read” the vinyl and feel any wrinkles or bubbles and smooth them before warm vinyl folds and wrinkles.”
Cullman said the seven-person shop worked with the motto, "smarter car wraps, smarter wrap tools." He said, "We help guide our clients cmapaigns with smart, creative, professional advertising concepts, artwork and layout."