If a wrap installer is not comfortable removing these parts, it will be important to bring in someone else who is. It is also important to keep these parts well-organized and in a safe place. And the customer should be informed that the wrap may wear faster on areas like door handles and sills than elsewhere along the vehicle’s exterior.
Tuning films with matte or textured finishes also have specific application requirements. A heat gun should be used, for example, instead of a torch, when applying these films to the vehicle surface. If they are overheated, they can show hot spots or may ‘gloss up’ in those areas, compromising the desired appearance for the vehicle. Caution is necessary with any application of heat, working in smaller areas for the best results.
A soft sleeve or felt squeegee is also recommended for use with matte or textured films to avoid marring them. While they are scratch-resistant, their surface can be harmed or at least visually marred by a hard squeegee.
Tuning films are commonly available in 1.5-m (5-ft) widths, so almost every vehicle can be covered without seams. Sometimes a seam will be unavoidable, however.
Wall graphics are becoming a more common component of interior décor and architecture.
When necessary, a half-inch overlap will work well. It is also recommended to try to follow the contour of the vehicle to make such overlaps less noticeable. Any shapes that are greater than a moderate curve should be relief-cut.
Regardless of the type of finish that is being sought when using tuning films, it is important to take enough time during installation. Tuning-film wraps take longer than printed graphic wraps. They are expected to bear a similar appearance to paint, which calls for patience and attention to detail.
Specialty overlaminates
Tuning films can also be used in conjunction with specialty overlaminates that have been deployed in the past in other graphic application fields. Much like textured or iridescent tuning films, these overlaminates allow further customization of a vehicle’s appearance beyond the finishing options typically available to consumers. They are a compelling way to add texture where it would otherwise not be available.
One option, for instance, is to use tuning films to completely change the colour of a car, then apply a carbon fibre overlaminate on the hood, spoiler or rear-view mirror to make these components stand out.
EGD
The application of printed graphics to walls, floors, furniture and architectural elements of a built space is becoming a key focus within the EGD field, as evidenced at PDAA’s 2012 application zone. Such applications have grown in popularity in recent years and many new products have been introduced for installers.
Depending on the specific surface to which a graphic will be applied, certain installation procedures must be followed for optimal results. It may seem simple to apply a wall graphic for short-term promotional purposes, for example, but skipping the proper cleaning and preparation steps can negatively affect the longevity of the graphic in an architectural context.
Creative finishes
One of the most significant trends in the EGD field today, which was explored at PDAA’s application zone, is a desire to achieve more creative finishes for graphics, especially a softer ‘non-vinyl’ look. Materials using non-traditional types of face stock, such as woven fabrics, are becoming more popular in the interior design sector.
