Vinyl Wrap FAQ

[Jksuperjet]

Take me to school on vinyl wrapping a ski. I have browsed as much as I could find on here and other sources. I feel like there should be some info in the Tech FAQ section for anyone curious so I'm starting this with some discussion topics.

Cost
Durability/Lifespan
Ease of install for DIY (worth it over professional install?)
Below bondline?
Different buying sources/material
Customizability
Pros & Cons Vs Paint or Gel Coat
Return on Investment Vs Paint Vs Gel Coat. (Resale Value)


Id really appreciate to hear from people who have done this before. Who/what did you use, how did it hold up, and was it worth it to you over paint? Thanks

 

[bach6177]

I had 4 skis wrapped at the same time by a professional shop and they looked awesome but definitely won't do it again. The edges start to lift and you constantly have to keep sealing them. Life span was not as long as I had hoped. I'm just doing gelcoat with large decals from now on. Paint chips easily.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Jksuperjet]

I had 4 skis wrapped at the same time by a professional shop and they looked awesome but definitely won't do it again. The edges start to lift and you constantly have to keep sealing them. Life span was not as long as I had hoped. I'm just doing gelcoat with large decals from now on. Paint chips easily
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

They do look amazing though! How long before it was lifting up, and did they clear coat over the wrap? Also, price range for the SJ?

 

[bach6177]

They do look amazing though! How long before it was lifting up, and did they clear coat over the wrap? Also, price range for the SJ?

I had them wrapped right before Daytona freeride and two of the skis started lifting at that event. They lady as long as you want to maintain them. They don't clear over them. I do know people who have good luck with wraps but last time for me. Cost about $500 depending on design work cheaper if it's all one color.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[onlyFX-1]

I've had 3 different wraps, all 3 done by different companies.
First one was awesome, lasted the whole year and didn't lift anywhere. Second one sucked, started coming off first ride. The one I have now seems to be holding up after about 2 months.

The key is finding a good company to do it. Make sure they use good vinyl and good sealer. Also need to make sure in certain spots they trim accordingly. On the bottom it needs to end about 3/16" from the bottom, same at the back and edges need to be sealed

 

[Jksuperjet]

I've had 3 different wraps, all 3 done by different companies.
First one was awesome, lasted the whole year and didn't lift anywhere. Second one sucked, started coming off first ride. The one I have now seems to be holding up after about 2 months.

Is the lifting an issue only below the bond line? How does the top half hold up? I'm assuming you aren't banging/docking competition skis into anything though lol.

I had them wrapped right before Daytona freeride and two of the skis started lifting at that event. They lady as long as you want to maintain them.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Very discouraging that you were having issues on the first time out!

 

[bach6177]

Is the lifting an issue only below the bond line? How does the top half hold up? I'm assuming you aren't banging/docking competition skis into anything though lol.



Very discouraging that you were having issues on the first time out!

Below the bond line definitely takes the most of the beating. As stated above if it's trimmed back from the edge and sealed properly it will last longer, the sj below bond line came off first. I just recently got some bubbles in the tight curves N top. Above the bond line holds up better just hard to justify the price for me because I get new hulls every season.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[badvinny]

I had a Trinity I had done by 2 backyard professionals! We had pizza and whiskey throughout the whole process, I sold it to Hink and he had it for 1-2 years, I think it was still good when he sold it. I wouldn't even think about doing it below the bondline! had the same guys do small parts on this FX1, simple job, $200, top of the hood and gascap area doesn't show in the pics, but it looked way better than just silver.

 

[bored&stroked]

Had mine done at beggining of season this year. Its good a few tears already. I would never wrap anything if it costs me money as its a half ass way to do things IMO, but it was free so why not lol.

 

[sinisterjosh209]

Wraps r only good if quality 3m laminated wrap material is used. A lot of local sticker guys lie about the material they use. Some use 3m, but if they use window film it will fail. Quality wraps r expensive, but just like everything in life u get what u pay for

 

[Ducky]

The full wrap on my RIP is still in great shape after 1.5 years and has not had an easy life. But we also used some of the best materials we could get. So you get what you pay for.

 

[Proformance1]

Dont forget about installer skill also plays a part. Paint chips, vinyl scrapes, and can peel. Gel coat is the best choice every time, but if you have a carbon hull this is not a choice. Th vinyl, and paint quality along with a familiar installer makes all the difference. Nick locally has been running his wrap for 5 years, no issues at all but hes a 3M installer and its a limited SJ.

 

[bach6177]

Dont forget about installer skill also plays a part. Paint chips, vinyl scrapes, and can peel. Gel coat is the best choice every time, but if you have a carbon hull this is not a choice. Th vinyl, and paint quality along with a familiar installer makes all the difference. Nick locally has been running his wrap for 5 years, no issues at all but hes a 3M installer and its a limited SJ.

Even on carbon hulls I go gelcoat.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[bored&stroked]

Wraps r only good if quality 3m laminated wrap material is used. A lot of local sticker guys lie about the material they use. Some use 3m, but if they use window film it will fail. Quality wraps r expensive, but just like everything in life u get what u pay for

My ski is 3m all the way, same stuff we use on lambo's and ferrari's here at work. Quality or not it'll rip with enough impact. I just don't treat my ski's gently when it comes to loading/unloading them.

 

[d_moss]

Lots of miss information in this thread.

I wrap cars for a living. Skis and cars can not be wrapped the same.

You shouldn't wrap a ski full color change. Just graphics with a laminated high Tac adhesive vinyl. Oem graphics last 20 years. Ipd graphics are the same but notice they don't go the the edge bond rail or hard curves.

Now if you use a wrap vinyl with air egress adhesive you should use 3m edge seal tape on all the edges. The air channels will let water go under the film. In some cases not always.

3m is good but not always. Most installers prefer the cheaper higher quality of Avery Dennison.

My super jet I used 3m 1080 metallic blue and gloss white on my super jet tubbies.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk

 

[Toyproblem]

Lots of miss information in this thread.

I wrap cars for a living. Skis and cars can not be wrapped the same.

You shouldn't wrap a ski full color change. Just graphics with a laminated high Tac adhesive vinyl. Oem graphics last 20 years. Ipd graphics are the same but notice they don't go the the edge bond rail or hard curves.

Now if you use a wrap vinyl with air egress adhesive you should use 3m edge seal tape on all the edges. The air channels will let water go under the film. In some cases not always.

3m is good but not always. Most installers prefer the cheaper higher quality of Avery Dennison.

My super jet I used 3m 1080 metallic blue and gloss white on my super jet tubbies.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk

Spot on...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk