I have to bid a digital auto wrap... I have included a picture of a sample the customer sent me (not for the same company, but as reference)... they have the same vehicle: Ford Escape.
Granted - this is very ugly.. and I would have the artistic license to large degree for their actual design.... but need a general price on a partial wrap with about the same coverage... also... what if the wrap extended on the top of the hood, and across the windows? Never done one of these before.. what would you charge?
Thanks. Posted by Todd Gill (Member # 2569) on :
PS - please don't make this a critique of the picture... It's ugly as sin, we all agree to that... just need some pricing recommendations... thanks.
Posted by old paint (Member # 549) on :
looks like its just the 2 sides of the vehicle, rear end also? i dont do wraps but a similar vinyl lettering 2 sides and a rear end.....$500-$600.
Posted by Todd Gill (Member # 2569) on :
Hi OP -
Thanks. Probably the back too... I was thinking $2000.... but don't know if that's too much or too little???
I think if it was a lettering job, you'd be about right on your figure... appreciate the input brutha! :-)
Posted by Neil D. Butler (Member # 661) on :
Hi Todd, I think you're very close to what I would charge...$1800-$2000. I like to figure out how much Vinyl is to be used, charge about $10 per sq. ft. for premium wrap material and then add labour to install, about a day and a half for a proper job.
Posted by Todd Gill (Member # 2569) on :
Super! Thanks Neil.... is this hard to get the knack of? And does it have to be laminated? If so... I don't have a laminator and might just have to pass on it...
Posted by Michael Gene Adkins (Member # 882) on :
I would laminate it ... it really extends life ...
Don't pass on it ... surely somone here can help you get it done
These partial wraps aren't too bad if you use the right vinyl. I won't tackle full wraps.
price wise I'd be aiming for around 1500
Posted by Neil D. Butler (Member # 661) on :
Yes laminate is Vital, for ease of installing and protection..You may need a second hand if you are new to this.. Good Luck.
Posted by Michael Gene Adkins (Member # 882) on :
Yes on the second hand ... I usually don't even wrap as much as shown here, but it looks doable. The vinyl you use is critical. You don't want it to glom on as soon as it touches and not let go. I hate that. Think repositionable. Maybe expect your first run to be a practice run.
And I actually don't have a problem with the design shown in the example. At least you can tell what it is and who it is for!!!
Posted by Neil D. Butler (Member # 661) on :
Like Michael said, use the Air release 2mil Vinyl, it is very forgiving. I use Arlon, it's just awesome!
Posted by Todd Gill (Member # 2569) on :
Thanks guys... :-)
Posted by Checkers (Member # 63) on :
Hiya Todd, I probably would be $2,000 - $2,500 including the hood but not the roof or bumpers - maybe a little higher depending on how much "license" you're given. And absolutely use laminate because the savings of not using it is not worth the headaches. I prefer a vinyl laminate with no pre-mask.
Havin' fun,
Checkers
Posted by Judy Pate (Member # 237) on :
Have you thought about rolling on a liquid laminate? I am applying reflective graphics on Sheriff's cars and my printer is using liquid laminate. The laminate is milky white but it dries clear. It is rolled on before the graphic is contour cut. It dries in 30 minutes. Will find out the name of it and let you know. Judy
[ August 26, 2011, 10:17 AM: Message edited by: Judy Pate ]
Posted by Todd Gill (Member # 2569) on :
Thanks Checkers and Judy... Let me know what the name is of the liquid lam, if you don't mind Judy. Thanks.
Posted by Graham Parsons (Member # 1129) on :
Just an observation - before we got our own print/lam setup, we used to source our printing out to a company that used a liquid laminate. We found that although it was fine for UV protection, it was nowhere near as robust as film when it came to abrasion resistance.
Posted by Rick Beisiegel (Member # 3723) on :
Dont pass on it Todd. Call Dennis Raap. I think he can handle the supply end as well as laminate. You do the install end
Posted by Dave Sherby (Member # 698) on :
Looks like a good project to get your feet wet. If I were you I would look for some wrapping videos on the web. I wouldn't do a full wrap without either taking a class or helping an experienced wrapper first. But yours looks a lot easier than a full wrap. One thing I've read is clean clean clean clean clean and then clean some more.
Oh yeah, and compound curves are much easier with heat and a second set of hands.
[ August 26, 2011, 05:15 PM: Message edited by: Dave Sherby ]
Posted by Keith Jenicek (Member # 11121) on :
This looks pretty strait forward. For what you see $1000 without design charges. For hood & windows also, $2000. I agree, partial wraps are the way to go...they won't kill you on labor, (wrapping a bumper is no fun!) I have used Oracal and 3M, and have found the 3M IJ180Cv3 to be the most forgiving on complex curves. Always laminate these with manufacturers recomendations. Even though you may not be a licensed installer, it will give the best results. Remember to start in the horizontal middle of the graphic...where there are no curves. Work up and then down, stretching the vinyl over the handles, using heat, without cuts. Any premature cuts you make will definitely be impacted by heat applied later. Don't forget to laminate the window perf also. This will prevent water form "pooling" in the perf whick will obscure the driver's view.
Good Luck!
Posted by bruce ward (Member # 1289) on :
$800-$1000 in this area for the side wrap full wrap i wouldnt do
Posted by Neil D. Butler (Member # 661) on :
One thing to be very careful of is when you go to trim the Vinyl, don't cut too deep or you might cut too far into the paint, And later on it will cause rust to appear... this is so important, practice this on some crap, all you have to do is score with an exacto..
Posted by Deri Russell (Member # 119) on :
Controltac with matching overlam- $15 sq ft. Do it yourself its not brain surgery and its just a matter of doing it til its right, you can continue to take it off and warm the vinyl till its right again and try again. Do horizontal strips full length. Tape the length in place from the top front. Let gravity help you. Pull the backer off from behind from the top curling it backwards so shiney side now faces the vehicle. Let the CURL hold the vinyl away from the surface until you are ready to apply that area. Overlapping strokes, hard pressure. Do not cut anything until you ar 100% satisfied it is in the absolute right place. Leave lots of room around every area you are going to cut. Consider at least an inch every time you think you need a half inch. Practise. It's really not hard, you just need to try. Cut only when you have just air behind. There is no need to cut on any painted surface.
Posted by Judy Pate (Member # 237) on :
Todd, The name of the liquid laminate my printer uses is Clear Shield. Here is a link to it: Clear Shield
Judy
Posted by Todd Gill (Member # 2569) on :
Thanks Judy, Derri, Neil and everyone... still mulling this one over...
Posted by Tony Lucero (Member # 1470) on :
Looks like this job was done on 60" vinyl and they saved $ by printing the left and right side and saved on materials. That's why the vinyl stops above the bottom of the vehicle. Could be done as shown for $1500 and make a good profit. We quote at $14.50/ sq ft. included lamination. We use oracal air release premium and a gloss or satin cold laminate. Partial wraps are the best because they are fast and predictible...you avoid a lot of trimming and compound curve shaping that is necessary on full wraps. Hood and glass would bring this up to $2500 Window Perf is something we try to talk customers of of doing becaus the colors look muted and the longevity is limited.
Posted by Michael Gene Adkins (Member # 882) on :
Hey, Todd,
Just find out where Bruce can get the vehicle done for $800, drive it down, have 'em wrap it, and drive it back!!!!
hahahahahaha
unfortunately, there are people in my area who would do it for $800 ... and even do it right with all the best materials available ...
..... crazy b******s.....
Posted by bruce ward (Member # 1289) on :
sounds like a great plan but you dont want them to do it...trust me
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