Plane Vinyl Paintless Graphics

[@Bravo21]

Thanks for this...I was wondering about wrapping instead of a new paint job. Lots of good info here.

[@blackhawkce]

I'm very impressed by this gentleman's product. Very impressive. I wonder how much the darker parts of the vinyl would affect the surface temperatures of the fiberglass. Or does the vinyl reduce surface temperatures?

[@tommyhunter3491]

With the help of my buddy who is a graphic artist and runs a graphics company I installed custom graphics on my homebuilt. Here are a couple tips : Minimize the use of vinyl. Reason? The more on your plane the more opportunity for it to separate from the airframe. And once that starts you have a very big problem. Graphics are great for characterizations. You can achieve a variety of colors in a design by layering...another reason you want to minimize how much of the surface you cover. And vinyl is NOT a substitute for a quality paint job...it should enhance, not "cover up". Lastly, 5K for that wrap is crazy unless you just want to make the following statement..."Hey look at me....I don't mind throwing money at my project". I do and my total out of pocket expense was less than $100. I was at Sun-n-Fun a few years back and I saw a plane where all the above suggestions were ignored. The Vinyl was so bad that it had waves in it. Can't do much for the aerodynamics of the plane.

[@JeffCloudDesign]

I hate to tell you, bro, but I don't think you have bought a large format eco solvent printer or paid for this 3m Wrap material, Overlaminate, and the inks that go with the printer. The stuff isn't cheap. 5k for that airplane is on par. Single graphic items are in no way equal to a full wrap.

[@Aerospace_Education]

Website is no longer good. Wonder if they are still in business.

[@riadarabieter5418]

Very impressive. How does vinyl hold up to UV exposure?

[@21AirDrop]

Incredible!

[@VincentReiley]

What is the 3M product that is used?

[@berniemccann8935]

"... and it will last forever". Please explain?

[@daveriley6310]

I plan to ask him.

[@JeffCloudDesign]

I don't work with these guys, but I do wraps. The 3m Vinyl wrap films are rated about 10 years on regular vehicles. Regular vehicles are in the sun and weather mostly 24/7/365 and will last a good 5 to 7 years no problem. On an airplane that is hangared most of the time other than flight it probably will last just about forever if it was done right, unless of course it is parked on the flight line all the time in the sun, wind, and rain. Hope that helps with your question on long range durability.

[@meninactionllc5869]

THIS IS SUPER NICE

[@changkenny7575]

Good solution but do you have any video to show how to remove wrap vinyl film after used after 5 years when I want change it?

[@chadcoady9025]

Heat gun works nicely to remove vinyl from anything.

[@deans4x4]

Did they rebalance the control surfaces after applying the vinyl?

[@rynogroenewald7299]

Wow they are bad at matching panels. Look at the roof....

[@marcusrussell8660]

I really like that.

[@therealgaragegirls]

They didn't line up the two halves very well.

[@bryanspanglerracing4574]

The FAA does not allow wraps / large vinyl decals on aircraft without approval per individual basis (not a blanket approval). Even if approved, you can only apply on limited areas of the fuselage and tail. I bet the FAA shut down this company or the customer can simply apply his or her own approved small stickers so no more customers coming in the door.

[@namename8207]

Last forever? Kinda hard to believe considering car wraps last 3 to 5 years

[@banjo2019]

Probably depends on whether you hangar the plane or not.

[@garywheeler2055]

Good info. I like it

[@CFLARROW]

Looks like they went belly up… their website is no longer active,.. I wonder when they closed if they said “that’s a wrap”. See what I did there, thanks, like and subscribe for more

[@bryanspanglerracing4574]

The FAA does not allow wraps / large vinyl decals on aircraft without approval per individual basis (not a blanket approval). Even if approved, you can only apply on limited areas of the fuselage and tail. I bet the FAA shut down this company or the customer can simply apply his or her own approved small stickers so no more customers coming in the door.

[@HoangKimPham-f9x]

respect.

[@DerekKalista]

A 1 min story turns into a 4 min Commercial.

[@IdleGod]

Derek Kalista This is AVWeb, after all... :)

[@riadarabieter5418]

Very impressive. How does vinyl hold up to UV exposure?