Tacozim's "I Vinyl Wrapped my Truck Blurple" Writeup

**04/03/2020**
The wrap has been on for a year now, definitely holding up better than expected, but has a few flaws here and there that I see being and issue maybe later on down the road. If you tackle this project, patience is key for sure. I was lucky to have a huge garage to keep my truck in for 3 weeks while it was taken apart. I was averaging about 2 or so panels a day with help and in between the side projects I was doing while the truck was taken apart.

I started this thread in case anyone else is curious or maybe wants to tackle this on their own. I can post links to videos and links tools and such if anyone wants. I'll try and find all of my tools I used and post a picture of them. Just let me know and I'll help in any which way I can. I'll try and update this post as much as I can. I have never done any type of Vinyl wrapping before and I was able to accomplish this with results I was more than happy with. But also be mindful, this may take about 3 or so years off your lifespan cause it was a nightmare at a few points. Enjoy guys.


**04/2019**
After seeing several different members wrap their trucks, I figured ahh what the hell. Lets give this a shot. After discussing it, researching, and Youtubing videos with my girlfriend for 2 months straight. I finally caved and bought 65' of Avery Dennison Gloss Blue vinyl wrap off Ebay during the 15% off everything deal. At the same time I decided to take care of several small things while the truck was taken apart.




First day included washing the truck and stripping it down to bare bones



This included, bumpers, lights, mirrors, roof rack, flares, door handles, window weather stripping, bed rail covers, tailgate, camper shell, etc.



After the truck was completely taken apart, we started with an easy piece: The tailgate.





It took the tailgate, roof, and hood before a lightbulb went off for us and we got the hang of it.












The doors were my favorite part I think



It's the little things.



While the caps were off, I figured I'd address the leaking issue coming from the bed rail caps. Thanks to @jberry813 and @JimBob for the idea. Using Butyl tape and Aluminum tape to cover the holes on the bedsides.







After that was done on both sides, it was time to wrap the bedside. We first thought about how we'd wrap it around into the dead space between the cab and the bed. We concluded that an inlay on the inside of the bed would be the best bet followed by the bedisde wrap piece serving as the overlay. In in the pic, you can see the knifeless tape over the inlay which was a cool way to do precision cuts without the need for an actual blade.





After the bedsides were knocked out, it was time for the grille. This was a tricky piece because of the area where side black accent pieces sit. The curves of the grille make it diffucult for the wrap to stay with the tension. And Inlay would have been a good idea but we didnt realize it til after the wrap was already on. We seperated the grille surround from the black piece using dremel and the right amount of force.



To attach it back together I used some plastic cement stuff from O'Reilly and it held pretty good.



Finally it was time for the cab. We decided to do each door by itself so we had enough to wrap around the edge for a better look when the doors are open. So by doing that, we seriously underestimated how much wrap we had left. We went to pull enough wrap for the first side of the wrap and sure enough, we ran out. At 101" left, we somehow made it work for both sides of the cab. We ended up using scraps to do the bottom edge of the wrap as an inlay, and then using the big sheet for the top of the cab and down the rear back to meet the inlay and serve as an overlay.





I then came across this vinyl tape called Mold n Hold that looks and feels like a weather stripping that is used to break up the change in color in vinyl wraps and used that all around the door seams.

Before


After


Door Shut


My original inspiration was the new TRD Pro's in Voodoo Blue, so I figured I might as well go Matte Black for the flares as well. Ordered I believe 7' of material and we barely made it work. Made sure I didnt break any of the OEM clips when removing too!

Flares laid out over the vinyl





Also decided to replace the old OEM headlights with BH Depo housings off Amazon.



Managed to snag TRD Sport Blink Blink mirrors of Facebook for $80! Snipped the old OEM harnesses on the mirror and in my door and replaced with my own harnesses and then ran the wires into the cab and spliced into the blinker wire.





Was in a rush to get the truck back together in time for my buddy's truck meet he was hosting, so the camper had to wait until the rest of the vinyl wrap came in. Finished the night before the meet and on 3 hours of sleep, the truck finally saw sunlight for the first time.



Posted up next to @MJonaGS32



Now, finally after a week we started on the camper. Hands down, the WORST piece of this entire project right next to the cab.

Front piece/ window got the inlay, and then both sides would meet in the middle, wrap around the front and overlay the existing piece.











Ended up having to contact a wrap shop I followed on Social media for tips on where it wraps around to the back window and was able to finally finish after messing up the first 8' strip for that side. That was an $80 mess up.







It has now been a year after wrapping the truck and it is still holding up well. There are obviously spots that I wish I had done better and better post heating, but it is what it is. Not sure if I'd ever do it again considering the amount of work required, but it was a good learning experience and definitely is a cool skill to have. If you guys got any questions about the process, ask away.

 

Awesome. Looks like a ton of labor.

 

I feel responsible for the Blurple name

Such a great result for your efforts!

 

The first day alone was tear down of the truck. Just gotta be methodical of the break down. I had a box of zip lock bags that were filled with bolts and such and labeled. Just make a list of in order things you took off and then put them back on in reverse order and you’re groovy baby ​

 

I figured that would get the people’s attention

 

Almost forgot to add that yes we already had our first set back about two months after the wrap was finished.

The first thing that came to mind when I saw the truck was, “God. Damnit. We’re gonna have to wrap the tailgate. AGAIN”



Luckily thanks to another TW member, I found a white tailgate for sale in Reno and made the trip.


Annnnnnd wrapped it in 45 min



That’ll do pig. That’ll do.

 

"That'll do pig"

Great job on the wrap!
Awesome to see the process broken down like you did.

 

A) Great job and your truck looks awesome.

B) You have one hell of a lady to help you like that.

 

It's provocative, it gets the people goin!

 

I scoured all through YouTube trying to find videos on how to do each panels and all the tips and tricks and stuff. It truly is an art form and once you get the hang of it, it’s kind of cool when you’re not skyrocketing your blood pressure or about to spike the knife into the earth hahaha

 

Thanks man! Yeah after this one we’re pretty certain we won’t be doing this again. There were certain times where I’d messed up or got frustrated and stormed out of the garage, cooled off and then returned to it completely done and her just standing there. I’d ask how she did it and she just goes “I don’t know but I fixed it”. I tell you what though, every couple that wants to get married should have to wrap a car together. God damn.

 

Chaz Michael michaels IS figure skating! Boom!

 

Hahaha man I’ve watched some videos too. They either say “it’s easy, go for it” or “take it to a pro, it’s too hard”. One day I’ll get around to wrapping my truck, but I’ve been saying that for a while now so idk if it’ll ever actually happen. Mad props for doing it!

Oh man. My gf wants to get a new ride and wrap it. Let’s see how we do

 

If I had a second car, and a huge shop I'd love to try and wrap my truck. But paying somebody 3500 bucks to do it sounds better and better

 

My exact thoughts as I was scrolling through the pics. Nice work OP.

 

Good stuff! I was lazy and had a pro shop wrap my truck. Love the Mold N Hold idea and am definitely going to add that to my doors even though my truck is black underneath the wrap.

 

Thanks dude! There are surprisingly a lot of Videos on YouTube that break down the process of almost each piece of the truck. I think it was doable for us because I didn’t have bumpers lol

Do it and then post it up on here! hahaha

 

Pretty sure we won’t be doing this again when it’s time for it to come off

 

Thanks man

 

I can’t remember where I ordered it off of but it definitely helped break the two colors up and the transition looks way cleaner.