Truck Vinyl Wrap Do's and Don'ts

[ATeam]

A friend (not an expediter) recently bought a used box truck that he intends to vinyl wrap to use as a mobile billboard to promote his retail business.

While this has nothing to do with FedEx, I know that a lot of FedEx Custom Critical drivers have gained some experience with vinyl wrap. I am asking them and others, not for comments about FedEx, but for advice on how to get the job done right.

If you had one box truck to vinyl wrap, had a healthy budget, and had full control over vendor selection and the products and process used, what would you do to have the job completed well? What would you be careful to avoid?

 

[Dynamite 1]

Definitely use a high end laminated 3M product.

As far as vendor to install. I would find several already well done wrap job's and start asking who done them. I'm sure if all jobs were localized they would see the same installer come up more than once.

 

[Doggie Daddy]

Make sure the installation facility is warm and the vehicle is completely dry.

 

[layoutshooter]

I would be sure to pick an installation company that did this sort of work as a primary business as opposed to one that does them as an afterthought.

If the truck being wrapped is a temp control box I would make sure they are using the self sealing rivets.

A clean, dry and warm truck is a must.

Be sure that all old signs, and glue residue, are removed prior to wrapping the box.

 

[mugurpe]

as people have mentioned, the vinyl has requirements for temperature when being applied, so be aware of that. I wait until spring to letter my trucks when we buy them.

for used trucks, make sure all the residue is removed, I use acetone and mineral spirits. you want to work quickly and with a very low volume of acetone as it can take the paint off then rinse quickly with mineral spirits. this will leave an incredibly clean oil-free truck, which will mean good adhesion.

vinyl over rollup door bolts will have problems as those rivets fail on occasion, so be aware. not the end of the world.

get an extra yard of the colors the installers used so you can take a pair of scissors and make minor patches for any damages, dings, or rivet-related issues.

as for finding an installer, make notes about who has the best looking trucks in town, then call them and ask who they used. I just use whatever vinyl the sign guys say is a good idea.

I also overlay the design over a photo of the truck to make sure that details aren't going to coincide with hardware on side-doors and any other features that will ruin things. designing to look good with a side door can be a PITA.

If any repair, in particular sanding, has been done, make sure there's no dust left over from it, that will prevent the vinyl from sticking (fiberglass boxes).

plan on removing the safety instruction stickers (lift gates, or the sticker that tells you to check your ubolts etc) or having the design go around them. you'll be able to see the outline as a bump if they just vinyl over them.

once it's installed, be careful with your pressure washer.

 

[zorry]

How much time is involved in just a plain wrap to refresh the look of an old truck.
Any idea of the cost ?

 

[layoutshooter]

I have no idea about the cost but the work took about 6 hours. I don't know how long it may take if they had done the job properly. As in removing all old signs and residue. Insuring that the signs fit the box. Using proper rivets. Filling and smoothing any holes that may have been created during the process PRIOR to wrapping the box. ETC.

 

[xiggi]

Wraps at least the ones that are very graphic are thousands of dollars on even a car or they were at one time. There is different qualities of vinyl so the cheapest price might not be the best price. I suspect that is what is happening with the new fed decals. Good vinyl won't rip at the truck wash.

 

[mugurpe]

for us I think 14' trucks cost us about $2K and 24' boxes cost $3K
we used top end 30yr vinyl, pretty much full coverage on the truck, includes name above the cab, back, both sides, DOT stuff on the doors. We're in Boston so labor rates are probably high here.

 

[layoutshooter]

for us I think 14' trucks cost us about $2K and 24' boxes cost $3K
we used top end 30yr vinyl, pretty much full coverage on the truck, includes name above the cab, back, both sides, DOT stuff on the doors. We're in Boston so labor rates are probably high here.

Is that for a new, clean truck or an older one with all needed prep? As in removing old signs, reside etc.

 

[zorry]

Joe,curious because of your present sign situation,how much did you think it would cost to wrap a box ?
Did your wrap rip or just the decals applied over the wrap ?
Are you in a position where the wind will cause more damage ?

 

[zorry]

My friend needs to wrap a 22' reefer, plain white, just to hide old signage. No new signs needed.

 

[layoutshooter]

Joe,curious because of your present sign situation,how much did you think it would cost to wrap a box ?
Did your wrap rip or just the decals applied over the wrap ?
Are you in a position where the wind will cause more damage ?

I have no idea what it would cost.

The decals ripped but there are many places were the wrap is starting to peel. Wind may cause more damage.

I would assume that "fixing" the current bad job will cost a lot more than doing it correctly in the first place would have cost.

I was told that these signs and wrap were designed to hold up for 5 years. Seems they may fall a bit short of that. Ours were put on in November.

 

[zorry]

November 2008 ?
Just kidding.

 

[layoutshooter]

November 2008 ?
Just kidding.

LOL!! That would have worked!

When they wrapped the box they just wrapped over all old signs, stickers etc. The signs did not fit the box properly, they are WAY too big, and we had to move placard holders to remain legal. They did a poor job on removing and replacing hardware and we now have had a door latch, one that holds the door open when loading etc, fall off.

I have NO idea what would be the best way to make this right. I know one thing, I am NOT paying for ANYTHING in regards to this mess. NONE of this was my idea. IF I were inclined to put on new signs I would have had the old signs, etc, removed and the box repainted to prevent ghosting.

 

[moose]

I have been to this location :Transport Graphics Online a few times and seen the complicity of getting a good job done right. i'd say call the experts and get a quote. they do commercial trucks all the time and can give a good advice.

 

[mugurpe]

Our trucks where used, some of them came with a repaint, some we had to remove the graphics. That's why I recommend the acetone and mineral spirits method. It's time consuming (one guy can do it in an afternoon w/ some elbow grease and a good ladder) as it ENSURES a good surface.

Going over old decals looks tacky, so does leaving the residue.

Of course on any truck, you'll always be able to see the outlines of the old vinyl as the sun degrades the paint where it isn't covered so when you clean the vinyl off, you end up with the paint at was exposed being a little more matte and the paint that had been covered being a little more gloss.

as for hinges and features on the truck, our vinyl company cuts the vinyl to go around that stuff, if they do a tidy job it looks great.