8 replies to this topic

[minijules]

Ok,

so i've been toying with the idea of vinyl wrapping my whole mini with either the Paul Smith mini stripes or a huge Union Jack, and just wondered what the cost would be to do so?

Also, i know that the life of vinyl will only be about 5-7 years, but are the any other pro's and cons?

Cheers in advance peeps

[Alex_B]

the surface has to be absolutely spotless, otherwise it will be very obvious as all imperfections show though, it also can trap moisture/rust etc under the surface,

If it was me, I would only wrap a perfect shell that has just been shot blasted/dipped so I know its perfect with no rust in any seam, then do a very good paint job so that there isnt any imperfections then when the paint has settled, then wrap it, and even then 5-7 years down the line it can look rubbish, so my preferred option is vinyl paint, you can spray it in a lot of colours and it just peels off when you are bored and do it again in another colour, no real prep is needed either! (youtube videos on it),

how you would do a design I dont know as that would be a big job but I recon its do able

[minijules]

the only panel on my mini with rust is my front panel which would be replaced before any wrap., i wouldnt want to paint it before, how about flatting/sanding down the exsisting paint before appling the vinyl wrap?

and do you know how much roughly it would be?

[Alex_B]

I dont know on cost I am afraid, and I think vinyl is designed to be applied to shiny paint so not sure how it would like a flatted surface,

I would say if you think you would get bored of it within a year or two I would go for it if its financially viable as chances are it wont do too much damage in that time providing there isnt lots of rust hiding away, but as a long lasting finish its not brilliant (also it can look pants up close, at goodwood festival of speed this year the BMW stand had a couple of wrapped models on display, and they looked striking but up close the finish was almost like unpolished paint)

[Sam Walters]

Probably around the 800-900 pounds mark. Possibly more due to the complexity of the design to be applied.

If you're going to flat down the original paint personally i would get the rollers out and do it yourself with paint as by this paint the original paint would be ruined.

Edited by Sam Walters, 08 December 2012 - 12:24 PM.

[minijules]

I dont know on cost I am afraid, and I think vinyl is designed to be applied to shiny paint so not sure how it would like a flatted surface,

I would say if you think you would get bored of it within a year or two I would go for it if its financially viable as chances are it wont do too much damage in that time providing there isnt lots of rust hiding away, but as a long lasting finish its not brilliant (also it can look pants up close, at goodwood festival of speed this year the BMW stand had a couple of wrapped models on display, and they looked striking but up close the finish was almost like unpolished paint)

Up close my mini looks like a turd with cracks in it, so anything will be better until i can save up £1500 to £2000 for a full prep and respray

[deanymini]

YouTube "wheel dealers mini". They wrapped a whole mini in carbon fibre effect vinyl. Cost £600 if I remember correctly.

[madboy]

I'd recommend if you did for your wrapping option, strip it handles light windows etc, thefirstone we had done at work without stripping, lasted about 12 ( the cheaper option ) months, the second, a Lamborghini we had wrapped in mirror finish cost about 1500 - 2000 but it's still going strong about 3 years ( the stripping option )

[1984mini25]

YouTube "wheel dealers mini". They wrapped a whole mini in carbon fibre effect vinyl. Cost £600 if I remember correctly.

And over the top of rust and crap paint if I rember correctly.

The first thing that comes to my mind on wrapping a mini, is I can't help thinking 'bubble wrap' when the rust starts apearing under it in a few years time.

I can't see the point personally when the last mini I had sprayed cost £800 with me stripping and rubbing it down first.

Edited by 1984mini25, 10 December 2012 - 01:43 AM.