Today's vinyl wrap experience

[HEADPHONES]

Did the other side.

It looks milky but I'm not ripping it off this time as I'm sure it'll clear

[davey_83]

This guy's getting good 

[HEADPHONES]

I thought I'd update this old thread.

The wrapped headlights have endured 2 really harsh summers.

Parked facing direct sunlight both at work and at home.

Zero fade.

As crystal clear as day 1 

[polaris]

Definitely need to do this for my Z. What brand of vinyl wrap did you use? Got a link?

[HEADPHONES]

13 minutes ago, polaris said:

Definitely need to do this for my Z. What brand of vinyl wrap did you use? Got a link?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/252659046182

[davey_83]

Wonderful, better than any other method in my mind as you maintain the clarity due to the UV shield with the additional bonus of protection from stone damage.

[Jay zee]

On 25/07/2021 at 19:44, HEADPHONES said:

So I repolished one of the headlights and then wiped down with alcohol. Re wiped with water.

Then started my wrap.

All went well til I peeled off the protective top layer.

No bubbles but some cloudy patches similar to when celotape sticks against itself adhesive side to adhesive side and when you pull it apart it isn't clear anymore.

I thought maybe I used the wrong lube so tried again with JUST WATER........

May as well have tried using it dry....... total mess

Going to order another FOUR pieces as I'm adamant to nail this

That's a great idea man. Is there a specific wrap you used? If so, do you have a link?

**EDIT, sorry. Just seen the link above 😂

Edited January 2, 2023 by Jay zee
I can't read.

[HEADPHONES]

Decided to re do the headlight wrap.

Used a heat gun to help get the old one off.

Came off very easily just leaving a cloudy residue behind and some oxidation where I had creases and bubbles from my first attempt 😄 

I taped it off and polished by hand using some TW headlight polish I had left over from using their polishing kit years ago 

Still took me 2 hrs to do just 1 side despite me finding it easier to work and stretch the film.

Not so worried about the cloudy finish as this was exactly the same the first time and cleared after a few days

[Neilwade]

On 31/07/2021 at 20:30, HEADPHONES said:

Is it me or the material?

I get this milky cloudiness and this is my third attempt.

If I do a small patch that doesn't need stretching or lifting to reposition, it's all good.

But I have to heat and stretch to get round the curves right?

heating and stretching the material is necessary to conform to curves, but this can sometimes result in milky cloudiness if not done correctly. Ensure you use even heat and gently stretch the material to avoid trapping air or moisture, which causes the cloudiness.

[Zalas]

Would a hairdryer be better than a heat gun?

Very interested in doing this myself. Used the 3M to good effect with GTechniq G4 a few years back but they've gone again, as has the e70. This film looks great!

 

 

[HEADPHONES]

8 hours ago, Zalas said:

Would a hairdryer be better than a heat gun?

Very interested in doing this myself. Used the 3M to good effect with GTechniq G4 a few years back but they've gone again, as has the e70. This film looks great!

 

 

Gtechniq C4 only lasts a year on headlights.

The cloudiness is disappearing as expected.

Definitely would be easier with 2 pairs of hands if you could get someone to help you

 

[HEADPHONES]

The wrap has all cleared up nicely now.

Good job I resisted temptation to rip it off and start all over again 😜👍

[HEADPHONES]

Driver's side is the original wrap from 2021 and the passenger side is the side I redid a few weeks ago.

Like before, the cloudiness all cleared up.

This shows that despite 3 years facing the sun daily when parked at home and work, the vinyl PPF does a grand job preventing the  lousy hazy oxidation returning.

Even if the wrap does yellow or fail, removal is relatively harmless unlike sanding down a clear coat that has faded and reapplying another layer of clearcaot.

[davey_83]

Very nice work, best headlamp protection for a 350z and testimony from first hand experience 

[GranTurismoEra]

On 18/08/2024 at 23:11, davey_83 said:

Very nice work, best headlamp protection for a 350z and testimony from first hand experience 

 

Aha Gotcha, I knew you were a tailgater.