[Conroe330i]

As the title says, I want to wrap it in a matte white vinyl, with some matte black accents. But I'm worried about how the matte white will hold up. I've heard it shows dirt, fingerprints, etc. And that it fades. I have searched, but everyone says that it's fine for the first week, then they never post another update. How does white do in the long term?

Also, what vinyl do you recommend, where do I get it from, and how much of it should I get (with room to spare for mess ups)? What about the sealant? What tools do you all suggest?

I greatly appreciate it.
Cameron

[Conroe330i]

Could possibly even do matte maroonish/red. I don't think it looks to bad. And would be fitting since I go to Texas A&M.

[AlpineG05]

A buddy of mine vinyled his e90 matte black and has held up fine. He was even featured on the bimmerpost home page. I forgot his username but if you search for it i'm sure you'll find his diy thread.

[BrianMN]

I'm really interested in Matte white as well, but I'm in the same boat as the OP. Kinda wish there were more cars out there with this done, so we can see how it turns out.

[c_jeong89]

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=426266

[fdriller9]

I originally planned on wrapping my whole car but ended up wrapping only certain parts due to time constraints....I have my mirrors, front center portion of my bumper, trunk and I plan on wrapping the center portion of my hood this weekend (hopefully).

I've had the vinyl on for about a month and it looks fine. It does stain easily...if you park under trees or anywhere near where debris falls on your car while parked, I would advise you to not do it...or prepare to religiously wipe down your car bi-daily.

I use 303 aerospace protectant to aid in keeping it clean but it can only do so much.

Definitely do a wet application (water mixed with a LITTLE bit of soap). Dry application is really hard to master...it took me 2 and 1/2 hours to get the top portion of my trunk wrapped. Took about a 1/2 hour to wrap the lower portion using soapy water (lower portion is harder because of the dip where the license plate is.)

I got my roll off eBay for about $3xx shipped to my door...75ft or 25 yards. This is plenty to wrap the car and some. Ask the seller for some squeegees and your good to go. Ohh and I also got a heat gun to get wrinkles out/stretch the vinyl.

BE CAREFUL with the heat. After heating up wrinkles do NOT stretch the vinyl while it is hot. You'll mar the vinyl and it will look shiny and a different shade.

Use the squeegee slowly to prevent going over wrinkles and damaging the vinyl.

Always start from the middle and go out. Don't wrap around edges.

You don't really need 3M primer or anything unless your doing a really concave area such as a door jam. The curvature on our cars is mainly convex so you don't really have to worry about this.

MOST IMPORTANTLY....clean the paint!!!! Wash, clay bar, polish if you like, and get a solvent called PrepSol from autozone, pep boys, etc. Do a panel at a time.....wash, clay, prepsol one panel, spray (soapy water to paint, and vinyl...light coating), apply vinyl. Remember center, out.

You tube has some interesting videos on vinyl so I would check that out. Also, and I'm not sure about this, 3M matte vinyl may be easier to work with because out their pantent adhesive channel things. I know Di-Noc is different than vehicle wrapping vinyl (Di-NOC is much thicker) but Di-NOC is so much easier work with. It may be the thickness but I think the air channels in the adhesive help with application too. However 3M is twice the price, but worth it if you can afford it.

Good luck. Let me know if you have any other questions.

[shockin330i]

Originally Posted by Conroe330i

Could possibly even do matte maroonish/red. I don't think it looks to bad. And would be fitting since I go to Texas A&M.

Whoop

[BrianMN]

I just helped a buddy take the vinyl wrap off of his Evo X racecar. The large panels were a breeze, but any place where heat was applied was a NIGHTMARE. I noticed the vinyl used on his car was thicker than what I've used for the shadowline trim..and certainly that can make it harder. However, seeing how it is thicker you'd think it wouldn't rip as easily. The heat applied around the edges, door handles, tight areas, etc just melted the vinyl glue to the paint...the vinyl then had to be picked off in millimeter x millimeter increments with our fingernails.

Does anyone have experience with taking off different types of vinyls?

[fdriller9]

Originally Posted by BrianMN

I just helped a buddy take the vinyl wrap off of his Evo X racecar. The large panels were a breeze, but any place where heat was applied was a NIGHTMARE. I noticed the vinyl used on his car was thicker than what I've used for the shadowline trim..and certainly that can make it harder. However, seeing how it is thicker you'd think it wouldn't rip as easily. The heat applied around the edges, door handles, tight areas, etc just melted the vinyl glue to the paint...the vinyl then had to be picked off in millimeter x millimeter increments with our fingernails.

Does anyone have experience with taking off different types of vinyls?

Use heat to take if off....don't pull while the vinyl is hot or it will just stretch wait for it to cool a bit.

[RMBwarrior]

hey man , i am also looking for someone can give some advices on matt white car wrap job. i live in China , it is very rare here.
i just see your post today, can you give me your email or MSN so i can talk 2 u when you are available... PLZ

[RMBwarrior]

BTW mine is mlhralph@hotmail.com
PLZ add me if you see this post!

[fdriller9]

Who are you talking too?

[RMBwarrior]

you man , *********....

[hipnotic]

not bad