Big truck.... #2

[dr_detail]

I don't do a lot of posting of work, just takes too much of my time (single parent, 3 teenage boys, running own businesses... k - nuff said?) but maybe this will change.... Anyway been doing these trucks for a few years now, Monster, Kawasaki, KTM, Yahama, etc...

These are of truck #2 for this year's MDK team (pic's of #1 & #3 will follow sometime soon). These are Vinyl wrapped and when they apply the wrap, it leaves behind some fairly healthy marring/scratching. After many sessions of testing on scrap pieces over the years I'm happy to say that I've nailed down processes to remove them without damaging, burning, or fading the material.... (don't ask -- I'm calling it a "trade secret") to leave them looking great for the first race of the season. I'll divulge that is a two step process and I do have to break out the Rotary (yes, the rotary). This vinyl unfortunatly, is even scratched by micro-fibers so the first time they brush wash these black beauties at a truck wash, they'll be on their own).

well without further ado... here we go...

(man that's allot of black!)


(side one done....)


(side two half way there... look close under the "MU" and you can make out the scaffolding)


(side two done... )


(little closer of the finished product...)


(thanks Hugo--couldn't do these monstrosities by my self)

We (three of us) also did the cab & wheels.

And, for those who will ask, arrival time 10:30AM -- departure time 4:15PM (includes a 45 minute lunch break).

[Page]

"MAN" that is a LOT of work to do there.
GREAT LOOKING JOB

[Beemerboy]

What a job

LD could have finished that off in an hour

[CharlesW]

Tremendous undertaking.

Since I have no understanding of how vinyl wraps work, I have a few questions.
1. Is the entire area covered with a vinyl wrap?
I'm guessing it is or you would be talking about vinyl stickers.
2. Are you removing defects in the vinyl wrap itself or do the installers cause marring in the paint?
Here again, I'm guessing, but I'm thinking in the vinyl itself and you have found a way to use the heat of the rotary to correct those defects.
3. Does the paint have to be in good condition or does the vinyl wrap cover everything up?
4. Was the cab a regular detail?
5. Were the wheels bare polished aluminum?

The tractor cabs on some of these rigs look like they could take the better part of a day.
Same thing with the wheels.

[dr_detail]

Originally Posted by CharlesW

1. Is the entire area covered with a vinyl wrap?
I'm guessing it is or you would be talking about vinyl stickers.

yes -- it's like a series of big printed stickers (up to 60" wide) and/or multiple layers of stickers

Originally Posted by CharlesW

2. Are you removing defects in the vinyl wrap itself or do the installers cause marring in the paint?
Here again, I'm guessing, but I'm thinking in the vinyl itself and you have found a way to use the heat of the rotary to correct those defects.

installer induced -- imagine taking a nylon ice scraper to a piece of colorforms material. In this case the heat is a no-no for it will melt and or damage the vinyl.

Originally Posted by CharlesW

3. Does the paint have to be in good condition or does the vinyl wrap cover everything up?

paint has to be in far condition with minimal surface defects -- stickers cover everything.

Originally Posted by CharlesW

4. Was the cab a regular detail?

on this truck, it was just a wax, on truck #1 (will post later) the whole cab is wrapped

Originally Posted by CharlesW

5. Were the wheels bare polished aluminum?

yep -- a set of standard Alcoa's

Originally Posted by CharlesW

The tractor cabs on some of these rigs look like they could take the better part of a day.
Same thing with the wheels.

They can and sometimes do. If I was working by myself, this would have taken at least 3 days. We did one for Monster Energy Drink that was painted black and it took three of us more than 14 hours to complete.

as a foot note -- it runs around 30k to wrap one of these show rigs (2-3 times that if it was painted).