Unwrapping a Cybertruck - removing a PPF wrap

TWRAPS · Jan 27, 2025

Hey guys

People sometimes wonder if they can remove a wrap at the end of a lease or when they want to change the color...that depends on the wrap material - if it's poor quality, it might cause issues. I wanted to show what unwrapping our Cybertruck (made with TWRAPS PPF) looks like as I just did it today (in preparation of a new color wrap I will be putting on mine). So here it is:

TLDR: took about 1 hour in total.

ChiTownCT · Jan 27, 2025

How long was that wrap on the truck?

Also any new colors coming out soon? Will be buying here shortly from you guys..

TWRAPS · Jan 27, 2025

ChiTownCT said:
How long was that wrap on the truck?

Also any new colors coming out soon? Will be buying here shortly from you guys..

about 6 months on.
more than 300 colors, will be working on initializing them this week and next.

rlhamil · Jan 27, 2025

Good to see that at least after a relatively short interval, nothing strange seems to happen to the stainless finish underneath the wrap (at least with that wrap and glue).

Kind of wondered about that if anything might be active enough in there to stain it.

ChiTownCT · Jan 27, 2025

TWRAPS said:
about 6 months on.
more than 300 colors, will be working on initializing them this week and next.

Awesome, will definitely check them out.. Waiting for install temps to go up, unable to install in 30-40 degree temps.

sakopotato · Jan 27, 2025

TWRAPS said:
Hey guys

People sometimes wonder if they can remove a wrap at the end of a lease or when they want to change the color...that depends on the wrap material - if it's poor quality, it might cause issues. I wanted to show what unwrapping our Cybertruck (made with TWRAPS PPF) looks like as I just did it today (in preparation of a new color wrap I will be putting on mine). So here it is:

TLDR: took about 1 hour in total.

Will removing a 3m vinyl screw up the car?

TWRAPS · Jan 27, 2025

sakopotato said:
Will removing a 3m vinyl screw up the car?

I think not based on one quick bulk wrap I did out of curiosity but that one didn't have time to stay...it was a 1hr job. So not sure. I do plan on trying later this year though.

Bumn · Jan 28, 2025

I saw some article stating that vinyl wraps have stained the metal panels, they have seen this when they remove the vinyl ... any truth to this? they say this is also why TESLA stopped doing in house wraps on the cybertrucks....

fdon1 · Jan 28, 2025

Bumn said:
I saw some article stating that vinyl wraps have stained the metal panels, they have seen this when they remove the vinyl ... any truth to this? they say this is also why TESLA stopped doing in house wraps on the cybertrucks....

then why is it still offered? just stop using terrible product and shade shops that have no idea what they are doing

koolio · Jan 28, 2025

TWRAPS said:
Hey guys

People sometimes wonder if they can remove a wrap at the end of a lease or when they want to change the color...that depends on the wrap material - if it's poor quality, it might cause issues. I wanted to show what unwrapping our Cybertruck (made with TWRAPS PPF) looks like as I just did it today (in preparation of a new color wrap I will be putting on mine). So here it is:

TLDR: took about 1 hour in total.

Is there a specific process that needs to be done differently to remove the PPF? Or is it just: lift it and pull it off?

Also, I saw on DIY Detail they recommend applying a ceramic coat on the stainless before wrapping so it can more easily be removed. Do you agree or disagree?

Side note: I’m planning to purchase your wrap when the temps get warmer (I’m in Boston area). Thanks!

Deleted member 17810 · Jan 28, 2025

Bumn said:
I saw some article stating that vinyl wraps have stained the metal panels, they have seen this when they remove the vinyl ... any truth to this? they say this is also why TESLA stopped doing in house wraps on the cybertrucks....

wraps in ppf or vinyl are just really big stickers.

The SS has a grain on it, so cheaper adhesives will separate from the film and stay in the grain.

Most adhesives are solvent or acrylic based. Mineral Spirits and alcohol take care of removal, but it just because a pain when the adhesives separate.

It's really hard to mess up SS with adhesives, as these adhesives are formulated for easy removal within a certain time frame.

The most likely reason that tesla stopped offering wraps directly is because they weren't great money makers between logistics and pay out to shops.

TWRAPS · Jan 28, 2025

Bumn said:
I saw some article stating that vinyl wraps have stained the metal panels, they have seen this when they remove the vinyl ... any truth to this? they say this is also why TESLA stopped doing in house wraps on the cybertrucks....

My guess is that poor quality PPF/vinyl can do that for the reason @Kahpernicus described. Good quality vinyl (3M, Avery etc) or PPF (TWRAPS

) won't be such a hassle to remove. You'd get a few glue spots most likely which you can rub off easily, nothing major.

koolio said:
Is there a specific process that needs to be done differently to remove the PPF? Or is it just: lift it and pull it off?

Also, I saw on DIY Detail they recommend applying a ceramic coat on the stainless before wrapping so it can more easily be removed. Do you agree or disagree?

Side note: I’m planning to purchase your wrap when the temps get warmer (I’m in Boston area). Thanks!

I peel off the edge first and then just peel in chunks. I found that peeling in quick motions (as much as possible) tends to be easier than going slower.
As for ceramic - definitely no. You can put ceramic over the PPF/vinyl wrap but not under it, as ceramic coating will prevent the adhesive from doing its job.

AO-Pete · Jan 28, 2025

Agree with everything @TWRAPS said here. The max time ours has stayed wrapped with the same color was about 3 months. For me, removal was twice as easy after parking it in the sun, but it mostly came of clean every time (3M 2080 the first time, various PPF wraps for the others, not all well-known brands).

But, it's a workout for sure, and when the PPF gets warm, it gets stretchy, so it's not impossible to hit yourself in the face as you're removing it. Ask me how I know ?

Good music segue @TWRAPS from dramatic to just chillin' at the beach

TWRAPS · Jan 28, 2025

AO-Pete said:
Agree with everything @TWRAPS said here. The max time ours has stayed wrapped with the same color was about 3 months. For me, removal was twice as easy after parking it in the sun, but it mostly came of clean every time (3M 2080 the first time, various PPF wraps for the others, not all well-known brands).

But, it's a workout for sure, and when the PPF gets warm, it gets stretchy, so it's not impossible to hit yourself in the face as you're removing it. Ask me how I know ?

Good music segue @TWRAPS from dramatic to just chillin' at the beach

I forgot that but you are 100% right... I hit myself in the head multiple times when I was unwrapping in the summer ? Come think of it that would've made a more entertaining video. Might re-do it in the summer ?

koolio · Jan 28, 2025

TWRAPS said:
My guess is that poor quality PPF/vinyl can do that for the reason @Kahpernicus described. Good quality vinyl (3M, Avery etc) or PPF (TWRAPS ) won't be such a hassle to remove. You'd get a few glue spots most likely which you can rub off easily, nothing major.

I peel off the edge first and then just peel in chunks. I found that peeling in quick motions (as much as possible) tends to be easier than going slower.
As for ceramic - definitely no. You can put ceramic over the PPF/vinyl wrap but not under it, as ceramic coating will prevent the adhesive from doing its job.

Since you and Abstract Ocean only have your wraps on fro 6 months or less, my plan is to leave it on there for years...like 2-4 years. Do you anticipate it leaving residue if on for that long (or longer)?

Unwrapping a Cybertruck - removing a PPF wrap

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