DIY Vinyl Wraps

CyberBC

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I got a call from our local Ford dealer yesterday letting me know that they had a Lightning Lariat available. I didn't get back to him until today so I missed it. He said it took him 16 minutes to sell it. I was thinking the only thing I would like about the Lightning over the Cybertruck is really the color. My last three vehicles have been silver. I was thinking that wrapping the Cybertruck myself when it comes would be super simple. Just order a large roll of vinyl cut out the approximate sizes for the panels apply and trim with an exacto knife. If it is like putting on motorcycle decals, it is just spraying on some windex, slide it into place and check for bubbles, then let dry. Someone could make a little money pre-cutting the panels. We could potentially change the color every year. Any MacGyvers out there with thoughts?
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Ogre

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It’s likely a lot easier to skin than most cars.

The big problem to me with skins is the fact that they will wear/ degrade much quicker than the stainless underneath. So when I go bushwhacking, it’ll grab at the edges and start looking futzed where the stainless would brush it off.
 

Crissa

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It’s likely a lot easier to skin than most cars.

The big problem to me with skins is the fact that they will wear/ degrade much quicker than the stainless underneath. So when I go bushwhacking, it’ll grab at the edges and start looking futzed where the stainless would brush it off.
Ahh, but that just means it's time for a fresh new wrap and the stainless underneath will be fine ^-^

-Crissa
 


CyberGus

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I’m still debating it myself. Probably go naked for at least the first bit.
Unlike the DeLorean, which has a hand-textured "brushed" finish, the Cybertruck will have no specific finishing. The stainless will appear relatively smooth as it did when it came off the rollers, commonly called the "2B" finish. The prototype appears to have a 2B.

This finish does nothing to hide scratches, and you can clearly see what looks like "swirl marks" on later photos of the prototype when the light is at a critical angle.

Tesla Cybertruck DIY Vinyl Wraps 6_0e7dd4bf-8442-4cb3-92fc-cc0b19688158_grande



So if you're going to wrap, do it straight away if you want to preserve the matte finish.
 

Alpine

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I can tell you from experience, wraps have to be done by skilled professionals otherwise it will make your truck look worse.

Even some shops don't do a good enough job with imperfections when viewed up close. If you want it to look like a paint job without defects, you will have to pay a good pro.
 

Ogre

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I can tell you from experience, wraps have to be done by skilled professionals otherwise it will make your truck look worse.

Even some shops don't do a good enough job with imperfections when viewed up close. If you want it to look like a paint job without defects, you will have to pay a good pro.
I’m going to be bouncing down forest roads and having branches dragged along the sides.

My truck is never going to look like it has a paint job without defects.
 

Alpine

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I’m going to be bouncing down forest roads and having branches dragged along the sides.

My truck is never going to look like it has a paint job without defects.
for your intended use, a shop that does advertising vinyl wraps will do. It won't be perfect, but will get the job done and cost a lot less
 

tidmutt

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I've been tempted by a really nice matte black wrap... I suspect it will be around $5K on the truck, maybe it will be simpler than say a model Y or 3 to wrap but that doesn't mean shops won't charge a premium for a while. Not sure if I can justify $5K on a purely cosmetic enhancement.

Still, it would look cool, albeit clichéd.
 


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CyberBC

CyberBC

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I don't think you guys are appreciating the possibilities. If you get good at DIYing the wrap you could probably do it for $300 a time. I am thinking black batmobile for Halloween, red sleigh for Christmas and a yellow surf mobile with flowers for summer. Then easily go back to the steel. Imagination!
 

Ogre

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I don't think you guys are appreciating the possibilities. If you get good at DIYing the wrap you could probably do it for $300 a time. I am thinking black batmobile for Halloween, red sleigh for Christmas and a yellow surf mobile with flowers for summer. Then easily go back to the steel. Imagination!
I’m just lazy. Doing that once a year would be more effort than I’d want to give.

Though the idea of having it in a skin for 9 months then occasionally wrapping it and driving around with the brand new feel has some serious appeal.
 
 




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