Bumper vinyl tips/advice.

So I'm kind of resurrecting this thread, but I said I would update it when I had gotten my vinyl on and so I am.

Well, it certainly could look better, but it could also look worse. I ended up attempting to make a template and probably test fit 50 different times and used some other vinyl to get a better feel for how to "work" it. Eventually it turned out decent (at best) and could only come up with a few pointers.

• keep it wet and take your time (like others said, it took me about an hour)
• the template won't be perfect, you'll need to cut while it's on there, just take your time
• don't stress about it, it was only after I gave up and kind of didn't care that things started to fall into place

Here are some pictures (as you can see, I really mucked up the bottom and hope that it stays on, but I wasn't too concerned about how that looked because my skid plate will hopefully cover that up):



I really had to molest it for about an hour, it felt dirty and I liked it. There you have it.

 

You should have used a blowdryer to stretch it and get the contours on the underside of the bumper. I've applied a lot of vinyl and this was by far one of the harder jobs I've done. It's possible to do. I did it with a few mishaps that couldn't be seen, but knowing they were there caused me to paint it instead. I'm much happier with the paint.

Kind Regards,
Ryan

 

The bottom won't hold up for more than 3 months, especially down there. Dirt/wind/water it's gonna get in there and peel the rest off.

What kinda vinyl did you use?

 

wow. the bottom didnt come out too good. some people cant get it right. luckily i got mine right the second try.
if only you lived close i could give you a hand with the vinyl

 

i put mine on in a 50 deg garage.
....hair dryer and water (the warmer the better)

if you can get the water hot, it should help a little, too

mine has been on for over 2 years now.

FYI
gloss conforms much much better than the flat (different structure to it)
but gloss does not look as good as the flat...in most cases

it IS a royal pain, but looks great once you get it

 

agreed!
year and a half with mine and still looks great

 

Does the soapy water affect the vinyl's stickyness

 

you can try to pre-cut, but ultimately you will have to stretch it out of that shape.
that part of the bumper has just enough compound contour (contour in more than one direction) to make a pre cut shape pretty much impossible.

you were almost there on the bottom.
once you can get the front portion to lay down nice, then the bottom is just a matter of a little heat and a little stretching (just a little stretching, though)

 

yes, too much and it will be way too lubricated. it can be washed off, though.

all you need is about 1 drop in a 12 oz.squirt bottle

 

Ah crap. Well if/when it does come off, I guess I'll be buying some more (I got it from sockmonkey) because I really like the look.

Ah crap again. I really wish I lived closer because I could have used the help, especially since I can tell by your bad ass truck that you know what you're doing. I appreciate the thought all the same, so thanks.

Sounds like the missing ingredient was a hair dryer. That and more patience. I gave up at least 2 or 3 times and that's why the bottom sucks so bad, I was over it by that point. But with the front and sides ALMOST looking decent I figured I'd let it ride for a while and see what happens...

Thanks again to everyone for the replies.

 

also, don't sweat the tiny air/water bubbles.

by the next day most of them will be gone

 

Or you can just chicken out and take it to a person that does tints......my friend did mine. $20 for his troubles and no stress on my part.......to me it was worth the no stress and the application came out flawless

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/sockmonkey/46535-hawaiian-sock.html

Post #15

 

That really looks great. It would certainly be worth the $20, but I don't know anyone to do it for me. Great looking truck.

 

I want to do this but not sure exactly what type of vinyl to use or where to get it, and the difference between the 'cheap' stuff to test with and what to use for the final product? Can someone help me out!! Also, how do you think it looks on speedway blue??? Thanks

 

packerfanxd
painted his.
looks great on swb

 

mega-
I work for a vinyl shop doing wraps and custom decals. Any decent vinyl shop should have "wrap material" (whatever kind they choose to use) If you are doing the install, you want any type of air release. If they do not have stock black- they should be able to print straight black, which will work if you don't over stretch it.
Its amazing how far you can stretch/work this type of material. Don't be afraid of it. Use a blow dryer/heat gun and take your time. I personaly do not recommend using any transfer liquid, but to each their own.
Look up a vehicle wrapping company in your area, and they should be able to give you what you need.