Sweat the Details

An ongoing debate in the vehicle-wrap industry questions which job is most important: design, installation or print/color management. The truth? None of the above. All project phases intertwine and deserve equal credit (or blame) for a project’s end result. For this article, I’ll focus on four project principles that will help deliver the best installation possible.

Collaboration
Nothing is more important than an installer’s collaboration with the designer – and, perhaps, the sales person or project manager. The designer can make things go so much easier (or even become impossible) for the installer to create a more professional finished product.

Review the vehicle’s challenges with the designer and salesperson to ensure the panels have enough bleed and proper alignment. The final install must meet the expectations the salesperson has set — and we all know salespeople tend to set lofty expectations. Take the extra time to make sure the prints match the intended design.

Verification
To make sure a wrap job flows through your shop, verify that you have everything you need prior to installation. Before you prep the vehicle, spend a few minutes verifying the following:

• Design proofs and prints for all vehicle sides;
• A wrap layout with instructions for decorating such details as emblems, taillights, wipers, etc.;
• A vinyl manufacturer’s pre-inspection form;
• And, all essential tools for removal and installation (i.e., Fine Line masking tape, sockets, Allen wrenches, propane for your torches, etc.)

Preparation
Only after you’ve verified your layout and tools, begin your vehicle prep. Information abounds for this, and several methods are used. Whatever you do, be thorough; clean every nook and cranny. Our shop preps with either denatured alcohol or Easy Prep compound.

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We remove everything we can, and there are helpful products, such as knifeless tape. The best installs always contain the most concealed edges. Always end with isopropyl alcohol, and have someone else spot-check your prep. Verify that you have primed all the appropriate areas with a product such as 3M’s Primer 94. And, don’t let the primer sit too long – preferably no more than 20 minutes.

Installation
I’ve been involved with several claims against film manufacturers that resulted from poor installation, not film defects. Remember, installers aren’t machines. Installers apply varying amounts of pressure in their wrists, and their eyes can miss areas of application. To produce the best wrap possible, use the following steps:

• Read the film specs; don’t assume all media offer the same performance. Verify suggested installation temperatures, material-application recommendations and approved application techniques.
• Move at a speed conducive to your skill level. Not everyone can match WrapStar competition winners Todd Wendell or Dustin Shelley. Don’t compromise cleanliness and accuracy.
• Think about what you’re doing before you do it. Don’t cut the media unless you’re sure, and never take short cuts. They’ll bite you in the end.
• If you’re not sure, get a second opinion.
• Never compromise for speed’s sake. Don’t screw the customer (and your reputation) with a poor install because you’re running behind.

Quality control
When you’re done, have someone check your work. Depending on your standards, panels may need reprinting, or a just a few trims may need cleaning up. Either way, you need a second set of eyes to catch what you might have missed.

The installer can make or break your shop’s reputation and brand. Poor performance will likely yield rework and decreased profit. To get better, take the training you need, and always remember a vehicle wrap is a silent salesman for your shop. Think about what it will say for the next three years while under scrutiny on the road.