Need tips for interior trim wrapping

Datsik · 09-17-2013, 11:57 AM

So I started in on wrapping my interior trim and after doing the driver side vent I have run into some problems with the wrapping the corners without getting wrinkles, etc. Can anyone who has wrapped trim before give me some advice on how to wrap the corners without having to cut the vinyl or have it wrinkle. I have a heat gun and felt applicator also.

iBoost · 09-17-2013, 12:09 PM

You just have to heat up the vinyl a little to where it's flexible and just wrap it around the corner with out stretching it too much. Its not that hard once you get it down.

miringrains · 09-17-2013, 12:28 PM

Heat up with blow dryer, and stretch it on. Make sure most of it is down before you stretch it on, otherwise you will warp the material.

djjasper · 09-17-2013, 12:39 PM

If you are talking about interior corners, I think you will have to cut some material away because it gathers together as you compress it.

blackturbo · 09-17-2013, 12:41 PM

Make sure its a nice snug on the corners, or else you'll get air bubbles.
Heat up gently and really take your time, 1/4 pressure stretch or less. If you have a small piece to spare practice on one so you get the sense of awareness and feel for it.

Good luck and have fun =)
Post some pics when your done.

shadow191 · 09-17-2013, 12:54 PM

Use plenty of excess material and pull to stretch. When cutting material for the trim, leave enough to get a hold of. Too many times, people cut the material really close and can't get it to stretch properly because their grip on the vinyl is already deforming it. So ideally the part going over the corner or into it should not have any tension until you start pulling. Then make sure to use heat to get it to conform. Then after it's cooled off, heat the piece up and see if any parts come up.

Vinyl will want to return to it's natural state which is flat. Heating it up a couple of times will help it to set in the new shape. How many times have people complained that their vinyl came up on a hot day?

Datsik · 09-17-2013, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shadow191

Use plenty of excess material and pull to stretch. When cutting material for the trim, leave enough to get a hold of. Too many times, people cut the material really close and can't get it to stretch properly because their grip on the vinyl is already deforming it. So ideally the part going over the corner or into it should not have any tension until you start pulling. Then make sure to use heat to get it to conform. Then after it's cooled off, heat the piece up and see if any parts come up.

Vinyl will want to return to it's natural state which is flat. Heating it up a couple of times will help it to set in the new shape. How many times have people complained that their vinyl came up on a hot day?

So I shouldn't have to cut it to fit the shape? I guess doing it for the first time I was just worried about stretching or heating it to much. I just wanted to make sure that it is possible to get the vinyl to conform to the edges of the trim pieces without having to cut it.

shadow191 · 09-17-2013, 01:18 PM

No, don't cut it to shape. You need excess material to work with. Then trim off the excess when you're done. Also, you need the excess because you don't want to get your fingerprints all over the adhesive of the vinyl that's actually sticking ot the piece. With a little work and heat, you'd be surprised at how far vinyl can conform and stretch.

KwlAznKid · 09-17-2013, 01:50 PM

make sure to reheat it up and let it cool a few times after you're done so the vinyl is used to the heat or else what happened to me will happen to you and you'll have a perfectly wrapped piece that will be ruined one day when the inside of the car gets hot on a hot day

Datsik · 09-17-2013, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KwlAznKid

make sure to reheat it up and let it cool a few times after you're done so the vinyl is used to the heat or else what happened to me will happen to you and you'll have a perfectly wrapped piece that will be ruined one day when the inside of the car gets hot on a hot day

Thats for the tip, i'll be sure to heat it up a couple time to prevent this.

09-17-2013, 11:57 AM	#1
Datsik Lieutenant 23 Rep 522 Posts Drives: 2011 E90 M3 DCT Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Birmingham iTrader: (3)	Need tips for interior trim wrapping So I started in on wrapping my interior trim and after doing the driver side vent I have run into some problems with the wrapping the corners without getting wrinkles, etc. Can anyone who has wrapped trim before give me some advice on how to wrap the corners without having to cut the vinyl or have it wrinkle. I have a heat gun and felt applicator also. __________________ 2011 Alpine White/Black E90 M3 Competition, Technology, Premium Sound, Cold Weather, Comfort
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09-17-2013, 12:09 PM	#2
iBoost Retired e90post Member 143 Rep 3,038 Posts Drives: real slow Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Las Vegas iTrader: (13)	You just have to heat up the vinyl a little to where it's flexible and just wrap it around the corner with out stretching it too much. Its not that hard once you get it down.
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09-17-2013, 12:28 PM	#3
miringrains Banned 81 Rep 702 Posts Drives: '11.5 M3 E93 Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: New York iTrader: (2)	Heat up with blow dryer, and stretch it on. Make sure most of it is down before you stretch it on, otherwise you will warp the material.
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09-17-2013, 12:39 PM	#4
djjasper Lieutenant 46 Rep 557 Posts Drives: 2015 435i 6MT Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: CO iTrader: (0)	If you are talking about interior corners, I think you will have to cut some material away because it gathers together as you compress it.
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09-17-2013, 12:41 PM	#5
blackturbo Captain 59 Rep 645 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: vancouver iTrader: (1)	Make sure its a nice snug on the corners, or else you'll get air bubbles. Heat up gently and really take your time, 1/4 pressure stretch or less. If you have a small piece to spare practice on one so you get the sense of awareness and feel for it. Good luck and have fun =) Post some pics when your done.
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09-17-2013, 12:54 PM	#6
shadow191 Lieutenant Colonel 182 Rep 1,681 Posts Drives: 2017 Volvo XC90 R-Design Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: GA iTrader: (3)	Use plenty of excess material and pull to stretch. When cutting material for the trim, leave enough to get a hold of. Too many times, people cut the material really close and can't get it to stretch properly because their grip on the vinyl is already deforming it. So ideally the part going over the corner or into it should not have any tension until you start pulling. Then make sure to use heat to get it to conform. Then after it's cooled off, heat the piece up and see if any parts come up. Vinyl will want to return to it's natural state which is flat. Heating it up a couple of times will help it to set in the new shape. How many times have people complained that their vinyl came up on a hot day?
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09-17-2013, 01:18 PM	#8
shadow191 Lieutenant Colonel 182 Rep 1,681 Posts Drives: 2017 Volvo XC90 R-Design Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: GA iTrader: (3)	No, don't cut it to shape. You need excess material to work with. Then trim off the excess when you're done. Also, you need the excess because you don't want to get your fingerprints all over the adhesive of the vinyl that's actually sticking ot the piece. With a little work and heat, you'd be surprised at how far vinyl can conform and stretch.
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09-17-2013, 01:50 PM	#9
KwlAznKid Brigadier General 383 Rep 3,037 Posts Drives: BMW/MERCEDES/PORSCHE Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Los Angeles/Fremont USC/UCSD Alum iTrader: (6)	make sure to reheat it up and let it cool a few times after you're done so the vinyl is used to the heat or else what happened to me will happen to you and you'll have a perfectly wrapped piece that will be ruined one day when the inside of the car gets hot on a hot day __________________ BMW E93 M3 / Mercedes Benz W209 CLK500 BMW E64 650I(sold) / BMW E92 328I(sold) / BMW E46 M3(sold) / BMW E92 335I(sold) Porsche 996 911 C2(sold) / BMW E46 325CI(totaled)
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