Wraps Schmaps.

[HaulingAss]

That's why my first three words of the post were "You do you..."

And that's why the last nine words of my post were, " None of this is directed at any particular person."

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[Bill837]

Interesting perspective, but with a big flaw in reasoning.

I agree we should drive with the expectation that others don't see us.

That does not imply there is little benefit in being visible.

Around 1990, we had a small, boxy, pavement grey Subaru wagon. It was about the closest thing to Stealth Bomber on the road, it blended into the road environment. The number of people who pulled out right in front of us was shockingly high. Even on my motorcycle, on which I was accustomed to having to take evasive action, people didn't pull out into my immediate path as frequently. Even driving defensively in that grey Subaru, we had a number of very close calls. Fortunately, we avoided collisions in all cases.

We sold the pavement grey Subaru and bought a white VW Eurovan. The close calls stopped happening. The difference was night and day.

Being more visible than the average vehicle is a very good safety benefit, even for aware drivers.

I didn't say there was no benefit. I have no close calls because I always assume they don't see and will pull out.

 

[HaulingAss]

Fine, for those who don't mind having their personal car under contractual obligations. I wouldn't do it, but at least income provides a rational reason why someone might do it, it reverses the decision from a net loss of time and money to a net gain.

 

[PilotPete]

I didn't say there was no benefit. I have no close calls because I always assume they don't see and will pull out.

If you count on them “pulling out” to avoid “close calls”, you’ll end up a parent!

Oh wait, this is about driving. Never mind.

 

[wtibbit]

When I get dressed in the morning I try to put on some swag, even though I'm virtually indestructible.

Some people want swag.

Some people would be happy to be virtually indestructible, but that, apparently is only true for some...

 

[Mini2nut]

The next breakthrough might be a wrap with micro LED lights built it. The possibilities would be endless.

 

[WHIZZARD OF OZ]

When I get dressed in the morning I try to put on some swag, even though I'm virtually indestructible.

Some people want swag.

CYBERTRUCK....SWAGGER LIKE MICK JAGGER

 

[WHIZZARD OF OZ]

Maybe ONE sticker
[__NO DROOLING__]

 

[Red61224]

Stainless steel viewed with a lens reveals the severe micro-roughness on the bare steel. A painted surface is sealed to a smooth finish thereby allowing the TEMPORARY wrap to bond for awhile to a painted surface. There will be a lot of crying a few short years after application when the wrap de-laminates from the bare steel. Dropping $12,000 on a temporary appearance is out of my budget and sanity. Example: does a piece of tape bond to a concrete surface like it would to a painted sheet metal fender. That's my point, it will not stay.

 

[Tiberius]

The house paint? ?

Thankfully not, two full rolls just waiting for some nice flat surfaces

 

[Dazajj]

I have said this before but for me I look forward to having a truck I can truly take off road without worry of damaging paint. In NC we have miles beautiful offroad trails in the mountain and foothills but are regularly overgrown. Taking a 50 to 80k painted truck\Jeep\Bronco on these trails will most likely lead to scratches and or worse.

The CT will allow me to enjoy more and stress less. A wrap would put me back in the same boat. I'll leave mine good old SS.

The wraps are very cool though. I would have to say my favorite so far is the camo.

This one too is my favorite.
where in NC do you live? I’m in Raleigh and I’m 12K in line. What about you?

 

[Coolbreeze704]

This one too is my favorite.
where in NC do you live? I’m in Raleigh and I’m 12K in line. What about you?

About 74k inline. Live at Lake Norman. In State Park on north side.

 

[Deleted member 17810]

Stainless steel viewed with a lens reveals the severe micro-roughness on the bare steel. A painted surface is sealed to a smooth finish thereby allowing the TEMPORARY wrap to bond for awhile to a painted surface. There will be a lot of crying a few short years after application when the wrap de-laminates from the bare steel. Dropping $12,000 on a temporary appearance is out of my budget and sanity. Example: does a piece of tape bond to a concrete surface like it would to a painted sheet metal fender. That's my point, it will not stay.

It's been noted that the SS exoskeleton is not BARE stainless steell. Both franz and elon have mentioned a treatment to it.

That said. Wrap materials have a 4-7 year life span depending on many variables. If the car is garaged you can expect it to last near the 7/8 year. This is not even counting the aftercare maintenance products that have sprung up for wraps.

To your question about concrete. There's a whole line of vinyl products dedicated to adhering to concrete. These are usually in the 1 year lifespan however.

1080 is the defacto "good" vinyl for wraps. A standard for nearly 10 years now.

There are however superseding materials from 3m among other companies like oracle and arlon.

But yes it's temporary.

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