Covering a car with a carbon film with your own hands
Content
To wrap a car with a carbon film, it must be properly prepared. Before gluing, serious body defects should be removed. It is not necessary to tint them, it is enough just to putty, if it is not planned to subsequently remove the sticker. You can use a primer to level the damaged surface.
Film materials allow you to change the design of the machine. This is a convenient and simple solution. This tuning is completely reversible. But in car services, close-fitting is expensive. Therefore, motorists are thinking about how to glue a carbon film on a car at home.
Preparatory work
Self-covering a car with a carbon film is possible. But for this it is desirable to have experience with similar materials. You will also need an assistant to work more conveniently and faster.
Choice of carbon film
Pasting a car with a carbon film at home allows its application to plastic and metal body elements, as well as glass. But glass surfaces are rarely coated with such materials. In order for the product to last for a long time and retain an attractive appearance for several years, it is important to choose it correctly.
Carbon film
In addition to color and decorative qualities, you need to consider the reliability and thickness of the material. But thin does not always mean short-lived. Many branded vinyl finishes are thin and last a very long time. It is better to buy only products of popular brands. They speak well of German, French, American and Japanese products. Sometimes the Chinese also produce good carbon. The 3M brand from Japan and the USA is famous all over the world or Graphjet and Eclat from China.
How much film do you need for a full car wrap?
Pasting a car with a carbon film involves the purchase of the right amount of material. It depends on the dimensions of the car, and whether it is to be completely covered or whether, for example, the material needs to be glued onto the roof, threshold or hood. For a complete pasting of an SUV, for example, it will take 23-30 meters, for a crossover - 18-23 meters, for a sedan - 17-19 meters, for hatchbacks - 12-18 meters.
Rolls should not be bought strictly according to the size of the car or the part to be glued, but a little more. Buying back to back is dangerous, as part of the coating may be damaged, and it will not be enough. Therefore, you need to take 2-4 meters more, especially if there is practically no experience in this.
Required Tools
Wrapping a car with a carbon film is possible only if you have such tools and devices as:
- scissors;
- scalpel;
- stationery knife;
- roulette;
- a set of spatulas made of polymeric material;
- primer;
- spray bottle;
- soap solution;
- Painting tape;
- white spirit or alcohol;
- napkin without lint;
- construction hair dryer.
The coating should be applied in a dry and clean garage at a positive temperature: it should not exceed 20 degrees Celsius. Good ventilation is essential.
Preparing the car for wrapping
To wrap a car with a carbon film, it must be properly prepared. Before gluing, serious body defects should be removed. It is not necessary to tint them, it is enough just to putty, if it is not planned to subsequently remove the sticker. You can use a primer to level the damaged surface. The first product dries in just 5-10 minutes, while the second can dry for about a day. After drying, the putty must be sanded with fine-grained sandpaper. Immediately before application, the following procedures must be performed:
- Wash your car thoroughly with car shampoo.
- Wipe dry the body and degrease with white spirit. You can also use degreasers from car dealerships.
You also need to prepare the material for application. It is necessary to cut pieces to the size of the parts, adding about 8 mm for the folds on each side. When gluing large areas, you can leave up to 5 cm for tucking.
Instructions for sticking carbon film on a car
Pasting a car body with a carbon film requires following the instructions. This will allow the coating to hold on and not lose its properties for up to 5-7 years. In this way, it is possible to preserve the paintwork under the material so that the car is not repainted after it has been removed.
"Dry" sticker method
Wrapping a car with a colored carbon film using this method has the following advantages:
- Vinyl sticks better to the surface of the car.
- The material is practically not stretched.
- The sticker will not move during installation.
Covering a car with a carbon film is performed according to the following algorithm:
- Apply the sticker to the part, removing the backing, and smooth it with a spatula and hands.
- Heat it over the entire surface with a hair dryer and smooth it out.
- Cut off excess carbon.
One of the methods of pasting the body with a film
The edges of the carbon can be glued with glue.
"Wet" method
Knowing how carbon film is pasted over a car at home, you can try to apply it in this way, even without such practice. This is much easier than the dry method.
To cover a car with a carbon film of any color and texture, you need:
- Treat the surface with soapy water using a spray bottle.
- Remove the backing and apply the coating to the part.
- Press the product and smooth it with a spatula, helping yourself with your fingers.
- Heat the material from the front side with a hair dryer.
- Finally press it to the surface. You need to start acting from the center, and then fix the edges.
Car wrapping with a spatula
Adhesive primer can be applied to the edges of the vinyl for a better fit.
Application of carbon fiber to the plastic of the car
In order to properly glue the carbon film on the plastic of a car, you must first prepare it. Preparation includes wiping and cleaning the surface from contamination with mandatory drying and degreasing. The matte sticker must be cut to the size of the part. Both dry and wet technology can be used for gluing. Work is performed in the same way as on metal body parts.
Since the plastic elements of the interior often have a complex shape, when pasting it is necessary to carefully smooth the coating with your fingers in hard-to-reach places. Otherwise, it will not stick, and the work will have to be redone. Do not overheat the plastic, as it may warp.
Safety precautions when applying carbon film
When wrapping a car with carbon film, it is important to take precautions. The work is practically safe. But violation of the instructions may lead to peeling of the material or damage to it. It may also damage the paintwork or the part.
In order for the coating to last for a long time, and there were no other problems, the following requirements must be observed:
- Do not neglect the thorough preparation of the material and surface.
- Smooth the product well so that there are no air bubbles under it.
- Do not overtighten the sticker as it may tear.
- Do not overheat the surface to avoid paint peeling or warping.
- Do not use the car for a day. Let it dry completely in a dry and warm place.
- Don't wash your car for a week.
- Use only manual car wash.
You can wrap a car with a carbon film at home. It is necessary to study the whole process in theory, and then try your hand at one section of the body.
