How To Use Car Wrap Tools?
It’s not just about having all the car wrap tools in your kit, you should know the right technique for using them as well to achieve perfect vinyl installation. From surface preparation to applying the final round of heat, there is a tool for every task. You can use utility knives for clean cuts, squeegees for smoothing out the film, and a heat gun for flawless coverage of curves and edges. Let’s see how you can master these tools to simplify the vehicle wrap application.
Professional Car Wrapping Tools And How To Use Them
If you are planning to wrap your vehicle with an amazing vinyl or paint protection film, here are the important supplies you should have in your car wrapping tool kit.
Squeegees
Squeegees come in different shapes and sizes. They are used to smooth out the vinyl and remove wrinkles and air bubbles. You can get the following types of squeegees for car wrapping:
- Felt Squeegee: It has a felt strip on its edge, allowing it to smoothly glide over the wrap without damaging it. It can be square or wing-shaped.
- Magnetic Squeegee: This has a magnet attached to it that helps in positioning the vinyl. It serves the dual purpose of aligning the wrap accurately and pressing the film firmly onto the surface.
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Wool Vinyl Squeegee: This is an excellent tool made with compressed wool. It assists in scratch-free wrap installation and offers the flexibility needed for the job.
- Triangle Squeegee: If you have reached a difficult corner during wrap installation, what would you need for perfect coverage? A triangle squeegee. It is instrumental in applying vinyl to tight and tricky areas.
How To Use A Squeegee?
- To use a squeegee effectively for smooth wrap application, hold it firmly at a 30° to 40° angle.
- Start from the center and work toward the edges of the film to draw the wrinkles or air bubbles out.
- The pressure should be just right. Neither too excessive nor too light.
- There should be no sudden stops or jerks in your motion. It should be even and consistent across the entire stroke.
- Each stroke should be in a straight line, overlapping the other.
Heat Gun
This is an indispensable tool that helps in effortless and time-efficient car wrapping. A premium-quality heat gun will have a smart digital display, temperature, and airflow control settings, and a consistent speed. It makes your vinyl more flexible so you can stretch it to wrap around curves and contours. A final round of heat activates the adhesive and sets the vinyl perfectly on the exterior surface of your ride.
How To Use A Heat Gun?
When the window tint is warm enough, spray it with a fine mist of room-temperature water. The goal is to moisten the window, not soak it completely. The interaction of the water with the warm window will loosen up the tint adhesion enough to drive out bubbles.
- To use a heat gun, adjust its temperature based on the vinyl you are applying. It should be moderate. You do not want to damage the film.
- Keep the heat gun 4 to 6 inches away from the vinyl when applying heat.
- Do not dwell on one part, as this can damage the vinyl. Keep moving your heat gun to and fro for an even distribution of heat.
- The hot nozzle of the heat gun should never touch the vinyl at any time.
- When post-heating the wrap, you can use a thermometer to check if the film has reached the desired temperature.
Utility Knives
A sharp blade is highly essential for the smooth and clean cutting of the vinyl. For this, you can use utility knives with 30° or 60° blades, a hobby knife, or a handheld film cutter. These are available with replaceable blades, so you can always use a sharp one when required. The old blade snaps off easily. Don’t cut with a blunt blade; otherwise you will get uneven edges.
How To Use A Knife?
- To use the knife, slide the tip of the blade out. It should be close to the edge, otherwise, it will wobble.
- Keep the blade at a 45° angle to cut along the edge.
- If you are trimming the vinyl after applying it to the vehicle, slide the blade sideways so it does not damage the surface underneath.
- When cutting along the edge, leave 5mm of extra vinyl that can be tucked neatly.
Wrap Cutter
Wrap Cutter is a small, handy tool that helps in cutting the vinyl accurately. It is safe and easy to use with a handle that enables a strong grip. It has standard double-sided blades installed in it that reduce the risk of accidental cuts. It is the best tool for trimming along edges and removing excess material. It does not damage the surface underneath.
How To Use A Wrap Cutter?
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Hold the cutter firmly and feed the vinyl into the slot at the front.
- Glide it smoothly along the vinyl, applying steady pressure to avoid jagged edges.
- For long or straight cuts, keep a consistent motion, while for curves, guide the cutter carefully to maintain precision.
- Once you reach the end, lift the cutter away carefully. You have neatly cut a piece of the film.
Tucking Tool Set
This set contains small, thin, specialized tools of different sizes that can access tight spots that a normal squeegee cannot reach. They help tuck and secure the wrap into edges, seams, and gaps between panels. You can maneuver the vinyl easily into these spaces and get a clean, professional finish without lifting or creasing the film.
How To Use The Tucking Tools?
- To use tucking tools for car wrapping, start by heating the vinyl slightly with a heat gun to make it more flexible.
- Now, gently guide and press the vinyl into the tight space with the tool.
- Apply even pressure while tucking to ensure a smooth, secure fit without creases or air bubbles.
- Be very slow and steady while tucking in deeper recesses to avoid overstretching the material.
- Once tucked in place, go over the area with a squeegee or heat gun to reinforce adhesion and prevent lifting over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What tools are needed to wrap a car?
Ans. You will need squeegees of different shapes and sizes, a heat gun, utility knives, a wrap cutter, a tucking tools set, gloves, magnets, and cleaning tools to wrap a car.
Q. Is DIY car wrapping hard?
Ans. Yes, DIY car wrapping can be hard, especially for beginners, as it requires expertise, complete knowledge, and the right tools. Proper preparation and practice can improve results.
Q. Where to buy the best car wrapping tool kit?
Ans. You can buy the best car wrapping tool kit from Oshark. We have these with different quantities of tools, ranging from 40 to 13 in a set. You can buy the one according to your needs, and it will be delivered to your doorstep.
Use The Car Wrap Tools Correctly For Professional Results
Now that you know the right technique to use the car wrap tools, it is time to practice and achieve perfection. To get the best results without overspending, invest in premium-quality tools from Oshark. They withstand frequent use without losing their effectiveness. Order now! It’s time to give your vehicle a fabulous transformation.