PPF wrap color change DIY?

I want to do a color change with PPF wrap. anybody have advice, experience? What mil? what warranty? what brand? etc. I live in S. California and to hire a shop here cost the price of a good used car at 7 to 8 grand! a paint job is $2000 or less. Any help would be appreciated.

Stephen

 

Welcome. Here are some threads I found in the "detailing" subforum
https://www.tundras.com/threads/ppf-is-it-really-worth-it.128351/
https://www.tundras.com/threads/should-i-get-ppf-ceramic.144203/#post-3661291
https://www.tundras.com/threads/anyone-get-ppf.117492/#post-3273479

 

A good wrap job costs good money. When I've wrapped, I've used Avery Dennison and also VViViD. Avery is more beginner friendly, good stretch. VViViD seems a bit thicker and heat gun required.

You really need to be careful where you purchase from. Counterfeit films are rampant on major outlets like scAmazon and fleaBay, doesn't matter who you're buying from.

If you intend to do this on your own, I highly recommend getting a good heat gun, an assortment of tools, and watch videos. You can't have any bubbles and must understand how to spot them and get them out, and you really need a sharp knife and understand how to use it. I've fucked up more film than I've probably laid down so I'm not one to talk. Currently about to do my rear bumper with VViViD wrap, and it's the widest/most curvy thing I've wrapped, aside from helping our youngest kid wrap his RC cars, which is also extremely tedious. It's not something you're just going to jump into on DIY and do a kickass job. There's an introductory learning curve.

Oh, and it's worth saying: With wrap jobs, you're paying for the skill, just like you are with paint. Be wary of people on OfferUp, Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist and similar offering lower prices. To do it right, and in a timely fashion, it takes time and experience.

 

When I started painting motorcycles I started small before I was able to paint reasonably well for an untrained professional. Eventually I was able to do a pretty good job on cars and trucks. I have no idea on how to wrap anything, (including gifts), but I think without some experience, trying to wrap a truck, out of the gate, first attempt will be less than stellar. But who knows, it might come out great. I would do some small test pieces first if I was contemplating that. Good luck anyway.

 

I used Metro Restyling to wrap my faded hood. Some wraps are "breathable," in case you have a small amount of trapped air in a hot environment you won't end up with a large air bubble forming due to the heating. I only did my hood which is a large flat surface, so pretty easy and I had three small areas I messed up that you would have to look very close to notice. It took one hour.

You might notice the side mirrors are wrapped in the pic but I took those pieces off as it wasn't a good enough job for my satisfaction.

 

shifty`,

I live in San Diego and restored a wrecked NSX and a wrecked 2006 Tacoma outside before. No garage in houses under a million dollars in San Diego (I don't have a million dollars) I see your garage drool... So outside and good weather is all I have to work with. I don't see precut kits for 2003 Tundra's out there, too little demand I guess. How many feet roll would I need? 75? I do have a variable temp heat gun and have used it in the past, once had a body shop about 20 years ago. I have no access to a paint booth out here, my last 2 stage paint project lasted about 10 years with open exposure to our sun out here, hoping PPF wrap will last at least as long. Plan to learn doing door jambs first as training exercise where mistakes aren't as critical. How many mil should I get?

Stephen

 

Not sure on amount. When I need to do parts, I calculate the maximum length and height of the area, add 25% to each measure, and go with a roll that's the same height/length. If I were going to wrap my truck, I'd break everything up into panels and find the common length.

There may be calculators online.

I have no doubt there are videos on YouTube that will help you with calculating quantity required! I highly recommend going there and hitting it, or potentially visiting the detailing section (link) @The Black Mamba recommended earlier to ask those guys, since I don't know of any regulars on here (in the 1st gen forum specifically) who are "pro" or "expert" level with wrapping. Most of us are just wrapping bumpers, hoods, mirrors, or grille bars.

 

Some of us are even scuffing and rattle can painting

 

Cheetah wrap.com. $549 for a 60inch x 75 ft roll, it would be enough for your truck…,,…..if you don’ t have any big do- overs. I am going to be redoing my hood to a satin finish. If you want you could come over and check it out while I do it and help me and you can learn how to do it. I have all the tools ,I live in San Diego…..Fletcher Hills area..

 

I helped a buddy of mine PPF the front of his Acura, hood, bumper, fenders. We were ready to throw hands and at some points he was about to purchase a firearm based on mouth feel, it was the most aggravating, soul sucking, time consuming thing I've ever done. I would 1000% let the pros handle this, but thats just my 0.0275 cents, gotta account for that exchange rate haha.

 

I have to imagine that wrapping a vehicle requires a VERY clean environment. Like ZERO dust. Seems like trying to wrap outdoors is sheer folly. But, I don't know shit about applying wraps either. Just seems like common sense.

 

This is the most fucked up hilarious thing I’ve read in a while.

 

If you can really get a $2000 paint job, do that.

 

your truck is rad af. I really want mine to look like this now.

 

This is the funniest thing I have read in awhile and made me laugh out loud