Question on how to wrap this area.

[Dennis422]

Purchased the new vehicle few weeks ago and looking to wrap it in the next few weeks (Work permitting, slammed right now)
The question I have is specific to this car, later models only. It is a Ford Flex with recessed letters on the rear door panel. See attached image.

I do not know should I just heat the vinyl and push in, or should I just cut them out?

Any valid suggestion will be appreciated.
Using Avery 1005 RS/EZ and DOL1360

Thanks

 

[Dennis422]

Instead of fighting with an US Cutter guy, can someone chime in here?

Any pointers would be appreciated

 

[oksigns]

The first thing that came to mind was a video that was posted here a little bit ago; search 3M Wrapping Techniques by William Smith on youtube.

 

[rjssigns]

If I was doing it I'd take some laminated scraps and give it a shot. You'll figure out right quick how not to do it.

 

[eahicks]

I run either Magnetic strip (if it's metal) or tape up a thin styrene to cover recessed letters like that, and then wrap, especially on Ford Super Duty trucks.

 

[Dennis422]

I run either Magnetic strip (if it's metal) or tape up a thin styrene to cover recessed letters like that, and then wrap, especially on Ford Super Duty trucks.

Thought about that, but if anyhow possible, I would like to keep that recessed.

Will try to use some scraps to practice.
I was just hoping someone will see the post that had already done newer Ford Flex

 

[HulkSmash]

that will pop, no matter what technique you use..

 

[Bly]

1460 lam on Avery might be a bit less inclined to pull back out.
I'd use 3M vinyl with primer if I had to do it though.

 

[HulkSmash]

If you use primer, you will most likely pull up the chrome when you remove..

 

[formanek]

Design the wrap with the customer understanding that the deep recess area can not be easily wrapped. I would bridge the material over the deep recess. Cut the wrap all the way around the areas and then put those cut pieces in the deep recess flat. That would just have the 90% edges not covered but the bottom of the recess and the rest of tail gate would be. That would look a lot better than the wrap pulling away or being overly stretched.

 

[Dennis422]

Design the wrap with the customer understanding that the deep recess area can not be easily wrapped. I would bridge the material over the deep recess. Cut the wrap all the way around the areas and then put those cut pieces in the deep recess flat. That would just have the 90% edges not covered but the bottom of the recess and the rest of tail gate would be. That would look a lot better than the wrap pulling away or being overly stretched.

It is actually my car, no need to explain it to the customer
Also, this is sooooooo thin, that cutting and recessing would not make much difference.

In the meantime, design changed a bit, it will be covered by a black brushed metal vinyl.

 

[Dennis422]

Is there some kind of filament that can be used to fill that area before it is wrapped.
Caulk or something (Please do not laugh, if I knew I would not ask)

But I would like to be able to remove it when the wrap is taken off. Of course

 

[eahicks]

I don't get why you want the recessed letters to show.... I would simply cover it and wrap instead of fussing over it.

 

[Dennis422]

I don't get why you want the recessed letters to show.... I would simply cover it and wrap instead of fussing over it.

I have realized that showing will not be possible. I asked in my last post how to fill them in, and then I would wrap over them.

I'm not sure if there will be any issues with vinyl if I just wrap over them when they are not filled in.

 

[TampaVinyl]

I have realized that showing will not be possible. I asked in my last post how to fill them in, and then I would wrap over them.

I'm not sure if there will be any issues with vinyl if I just wrap over them when they are not filled in.

Cover the letters with thin Styrene like eahicks suggested earlier.

 

[Kwiksigns]

if it was my vehicle, I would trim out the letters and just leave them chrome. I don't think putting any type of caulking would be a good idea.

 

[Nuagedesigns]

I would suggest away from using any sort of caulk or filler. If applied properly you should have no issues with that. Sounds as though you are quite new to vehicle wraps. Do some research on youtube for deep channle installtaions. Get your self a nice smooth wrap glove and print out a larger enough practice panel and go at it with your finger and a glove. There is no better tool in my application bag than my wrap glove. Be sure to understand the process of pre heating and post heating the vinyl to correct temputeres for propper adhesion. As long as this area of your wrap doesnt include any text I think it will look fine and show to your customers that you can tackle such things as grooves like this. (if it it is done correctly) . Pull the emblem and the rear-view camera, and you might want to put a little bit of primer in the letters FLEX other than that have at it.

Best of luck and this is your own vehicle so practice. practice. practice.

 

[Dennis422]

I would suggest away from using any sort of caulk or filler. If applied properly you should have no issues with that. Sounds as though you are quite new to vehicle wraps. Do some research on youtube for deep channle installtaions. Get your self a nice smooth wrap glove and print out a larger enough practice panel and go at it with your finger and a glove. There is no better tool in my application bag than my wrap glove. Be sure to understand the process of pre heating and post heating the vinyl to correct temputeres for propper adhesion. As long as this area of your wrap doesnt include any text I think it will look fine and show to your customers that you can tackle such things as grooves like this. (if it it is done correctly) . Pull the emblem and the rear-view camera, and you might want to put a little bit of primer in the letters FLEX other than that have at it.

Best of luck and this is your own vehicle so practice. practice. practice.

Thank you!!! I have installed graphic on pretty intricate pieces but never did a full wrap. I have and I have used a wrap glove before, so that should not be an issue.
Also, it should be a bit easier because this will be a color change wrap, no worrying about where the letters would be.

Thanks again