Full body vinyl wrap

Shani

Habitual derv user
Aug 12, 2007
54
0
Baillieston, Glasgow
Ok we all know how soft the paint on the Mk1 Leon seems to be and everyone on the forum has surely cleaned their beloved and despaired at the stone chips on the front end. We would all love to get a respray, but then the same would happen again surely.

Browsing the net I have now seen quite a few of automotive exotica wrapped in vinyl. Something along the lines of this:
http://www.carblog.co.za/2008/05/05/car-of-the-week-ferrari-f430-matte-black/
or this:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=23&t=683815&nmt=Body Wrap - Matt Black

So my question is who would think this, and I mean in particular a matt black vinyl wrap finish, on the Leon would look good. My understanding is the cost would be the light end of £1k, cheaper than a full qaulity respray and replacable!

The vehicle in question is a black magic leon FR+ tdi and has Oz ultraleggeras in matt graphite so opinions please? I'm going for the stealth bomber look...
 
Last edited:

quattrojim

Guest
i was thinking about doing this at work, could do it for free as well:D just didn't know if it would look good or over the top??
 

dholdi

Active Member
Jul 3, 2008
931
4
Preston
VAG paint is actually quite hard. I think this is the reason for it chipping so easily because it doesnt have the impact resistance that a softer paint has.
However, back to your question, I think the Leon would look really good with a matt black wrap ( a bit madmax ish ) and if you can afford it then go for it.
 

Willie

LCR Track car
Aug 6, 2004
8,939
1
Sunny Scotland
As Dave said, VAG paint is very hard.
Also before you have this done you will need to have your stone chips (if you have any) at least filled and smoothed as the vinyl will sink into these and you'll see these.
Also a cheap matt vinyl would be a nightmare to keep clean.
I would have though a greasy hand print would be very difficult to get out.
All kinds of stuff would stick to it making it very difficult to keep clean and looking good.
Okay for show but every day lift I would say not the best choice.
But do it and let us know how you get on and how easy/difficult it is to keep clean.
Also a £1,000 full wrap is something I would be wary of, too cheap.
Does this include infills and door shuts??
 

andycupra

status subject to change
matt black looks rubbish.

and ill echo the comments regarding the paint, it could well be that its too hard or brittle! not soft and maleable...

also, what is the scratch resistance, or chip resistance of the vinyl!?


if i went to the expense, id want a different colour that stands out rather than a dull black.
 

tgorman

LCR = 285Bhp + 330Ft.lbs
Jul 22, 2009
91
0
matt black vinyal
P5130037.jpg
 

Shani

Habitual derv user
Aug 12, 2007
54
0
Baillieston, Glasgow
Now that I've seen that golf, I'm not convinced it will look good.

I haven't actually had any quotes yet so am unsure whetther door jams and in-fills would also be covered. I still have a few questions about the vinyl, like how easily it will mark and washability. Apparently you can wash it like regular paint but what about hyrdophobicity? I ask that mostly because I love the water-beading on freshly cleaned and waxed car - couldn't really live without this. Can't imagine you would be able to wax it.

Althought I'm sure a matt finish would hide the dirt better and a shed load of other sins like parking dents!

I agree that VAG paint is very hard on VWs and Audis but it is soft on Seats. It's much easier to burn through when using a polisher, although that's partly due to the relatively thin paint thickness on Seats. If you've ever tried to polish out swirls you'll find it much easier and will probably use lower abrasive compounds, on Seats than those for VWs and Audis, for this reason.

I'm just testing the water here. Not sure I'm convinced enough to take the leap and part with my cash.
 

Willie

LCR Track car
Aug 6, 2004
8,939
1
Sunny Scotland
Now that I've seen that golf, I'm not convinced it will look good.

I haven't actually had any quotes yet so am unsure whetther door jams and in-fills would also be covered. I still have a few questions about the vinyl, like how easily it will mark and washability. Apparently you can wash it like regular paint but what about hyrdophobicity? I ask that mostly because I love the water-beading on freshly cleaned and waxed car - couldn't really live without this. Can't imagine you would be able to wax it.

Althought I'm sure a matt finish would hide the dirt better and a shed load of other sins like parking dents!

I agree that VAG paint is very hard on VWs and Audis but it is soft on Seats. It's much easier to burn through when using a polisher, although that's partly due to the relatively thin paint thickness on Seats. If you've ever tried to polish out swirls you'll find it much easier and will probably use lower abrasive compounds, on Seats than those for VWs and Audis, for this reason.

I'm just testing the water here. Not sure I'm convinced enough to take the leap and part with my cash.
I think this would look awesome.
I'm not with you on the Seat paint though. It is easier to polish then my B7 A4 but it still takes the most abrasive polish you can apply with a Dual Orbiter polisher before your making any head way with swirls let alone scratches.
Burning through has nothing to do with the quality of the paint, it's all about heat and intensity of polishing.
 
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