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Model specific boards => Golf mk3 => Topic started by: Jimmy Filth on 16 February 2011, 15:56

Title: Vinyl roof... Pics, not asking advice.
Post by: Jimmy Filth on 16 February 2011, 15:56
So, just spent the afternoon doing my roof with the help of a mate.  It was a first ever attempt with this stuff but I'm quite happy how it has come out.  It has creased in one particular corner, but my mate is making me a design in shiny black that will cover that corner (if it looks good that is). Haha.

It took a fair few hours and a lot of lifting and relaying it.  It's actually had to be done in two parts as I may have torn a small section of it, but you can't see the seam so it looks good enough.  A pro would have done it better no doubt, but I want to do all the work on this car myself.

(http://i768.photobucket.com/albums/xx322/jimmy-filth/IMG_1257.jpg)

(http://i768.photobucket.com/albums/xx322/jimmy-filth/IMG_1254.jpg)
Title: Re: Vinyl roof... Pics, not asking advice.
Post by: HeavySmoker on 16 February 2011, 17:33
sex..

do the same to the bonnet now  :laugh: will look bad
Title: Re: Vinyl roof... Pics, not asking advice.
Post by: Jimmy Filth on 16 February 2011, 17:41
I've just done the mirrors while laying on my bed.  Is it wrong I'm taking car parts to bed????? Hahaha
Title: Re: Vinyl roof... Pics, not asking advice.
Post by: HeavySmoker on 16 February 2011, 17:53
I've just done the mirrors while laying on my bed.  Is it wrong I'm taking car parts to bed????? Hahaha

quite normal
Title: Re: Vinyl roof... Pics, not asking advice.
Post by: shepgti on 16 February 2011, 17:55
would have been easier to spray it, even with rattle cans then you wouldnt have the creases down the edge?
Title: Re: Vinyl roof... Pics, not asking advice.
Post by: snifferdog on 16 February 2011, 17:59
Looks good! I want mine doing.
Title: Re: Vinyl roof... Pics, not asking advice.
Post by: Jimmy Filth on 16 February 2011, 18:04
would have been easier to spray it, even with rattle cans then you wouldnt have the creases down the edge?

This way if I get bored of it I can just peel it off and not have to worry about it, plus this was considerable less work and probably cheaper, it cost £60 for the vinyl and that came with a free tool to smooth it.  The creases were purely down to my inexperience, plus I don't think I used enough heat.
Title: Re: Vinyl roof... Pics, not asking advice.
Post by: snifferdog on 16 February 2011, 18:05
Whats with the sticker though? That is my only dislike.
Title: Re: Vinyl roof... Pics, not asking advice.
Post by: Jimmy Filth on 16 February 2011, 18:07
It's a company called Carhartt.  In fact, I think most of my clothes are by them, and unfortunate coincidence.  I'm just a fan of stickers, you should see my rear drivers side window. Haha
Title: Re: Vinyl roof... Pics, not asking advice.
Post by: shepgti on 16 February 2011, 18:09
would have been easier to spray it, even with rattle cans then you wouldnt have the creases down the edge?

This way if I get bored of it I can just peel it off and not have to worry about it, plus this was considerable less work and probably cheaper, it cost £60 for the vinyl and that came with a free tool to smooth it.  The creases were purely down to my inexperience, plus I don't think I used enough heat.

60 quid!!! rattle cans wouldnt have cost half that
Title: Re: Vinyl roof... Pics, not asking advice.
Post by: Jimmy Filth on 16 February 2011, 18:12
by the time you've got the primer, clearcoat and all the sanding paper.  Cost me about £55 to do my front bumper
Title: Re: Vinyl roof... Pics, not asking advice.
Post by: shepgti on 16 February 2011, 18:21
by the time you've got the primer, clearcoat and all the sanding paper.  Cost me about £55 to do my front bumper

did you buy from halfrauds?

i sprayed my mk3 roof white with primer and laquer for 29 quid all in inc some sandpaper by buying from 2 difernt independant retailers
Title: Re: Vinyl roof... Pics, not asking advice.
Post by: Jimmy Filth on 16 February 2011, 18:33
I got the colour from Halfords as it was colour match, but everything else was from a small place round the corner from me.  I may have bought a bit much, I think I had a can and a bit left of the colour, primer and clearcoat.
Title: Re: Vinyl roof... Pics, not asking advice.
Post by: shepgti on 16 February 2011, 18:37
yeah halfords colour matched stuff can be pricey
Title: Re: Vinyl roof... Pics, not asking advice.
Post by: Wayne on 16 February 2011, 19:04
A signwriting company would have been about the same cost or less for cash, it looks ok but the creases spoli it a little for me plus the sticker looks all wrong.
Title: Re: Vinyl roof... Pics, not asking advice.
Post by: Gash on 16 February 2011, 19:10
60 does seem a bit much but does look ok.
iv decided to do it myself (can get vinyl for about £30) as was qouted £90 to do it
how easy was it when doing the sunroof and ariel?
Title: Re: Vinyl roof... Pics, not asking advice.
Post by: Jimmy Filth on 16 February 2011, 19:24
I've seen a lot of Vinyl for cheaper, but I went for the 3M stuff as has been told it's the best stuff by a long way.  I had to lift and re-stick it in numerous places several times and it never lost its stick, which I've been warned the cheaper stuff does.  As I was an amateur I decided to go for that stuff as I guessed I would be lifting it a lot.

As for the sunroof and ariel;  I removed the ariel completely, which took all of about 20 seconds (using the Haynes manual.  I then opened the sunroof and stuck it all down.  Once I had got it flat and laid I cut out out the sunroof hole, leaving about a 4mm edge which I stuck down (using heat).  I then cut n X over the hole where the ariel went and reinserted it.

I kinda guessed the sticker wouldn't be to everyone's taste, but I like it so I'll keep it for now.  I spoke to about 5 sign writing companies that all wanted similar prices to what I paid, but I've still got a load left over.  I've now done both mirrors and have enough to do the bonnet if it takes my fancy.  I bought 2x3 metres.
Title: Re: Vinyl roof... Pics, not asking advice.
Post by: Gash on 16 February 2011, 19:27
how does the ariel come off?
i guessed the sunroof might be as easy as what you said you did :)
Title: Re: Vinyl roof... Pics, not asking advice.
Post by: Jimmy Filth on 16 February 2011, 19:28
A signwriting company would have been about the same cost or less for cash, it looks ok but the creases spoli it a little for me plus the sticker looks all wrong.

Yeah, it is a shame with the creases, but I console myself with the fact that it was my first ever time using anything like this.  I'll probably redo it in the future, learning from my mistakes, but for now I'm happy with it.  Plus the worst of the creases will be covered soon enough by a design my mate is printing for me onto some gloss vinyl.
Title: Re: Vinyl roof... Pics, not asking advice.
Post by: Jimmy Filth on 16 February 2011, 19:32
how does the ariel come off?
i guessed the sunroof might be as easy as what you said you did :)

Open the boot and there is a piece of plastic trim that holds the back of the headliner up, it runs between the two rear pillar pieces of trim.  That just clips out and you can pull the headliner down leaving just enough space to get your hand in the gap.  Under the ariel is a large nut that I initially loosened with a monkey wrench, then undid with hand.  Then about 3-4 inches from the bottom of the ariel is a plug that has a plastic cover over it.  Move the plastic cover, then pull the two pieces of wire apart and voila, it just pulls out of the roof leaving a square hole of about 1.5cm x 1.5cm.

My advise is, use heat otherwise it'll crease, by the time I learnt that I had already laid most of it and couldn't undo it.  Plus, once the vinyl is creased you can't really remove them.  I found a decent hairdryer actually worked a lot better than the heatgun.
Title: Re: Vinyl roof... Pics, not asking advice.
Post by: Gash on 16 February 2011, 22:34
awesome cheers.
my mate has a unit so will see if i can go up there one day and do it :D
Title: Re: Vinyl roof... Pics, not asking advice.
Post by: Deano2711 on 17 February 2011, 08:19
The bonnet looks good when done as well Mate as in the picture below of my old GTI although be aware the bonnet is much more difficult due to the two creases in it.

(http://i680.photobucket.com/albums/vv163/Deano2711/LatestGolfPic.jpg)
Title: Re: Vinyl roof... Pics, not asking advice.
Post by: LazyLunatic on 17 February 2011, 09:10
Pfft, don't listen to the hype about 3M vinyl. Its all about the brand. Can get stuff that's just as good for less.

Not a bad attempt though bud, its very difficult to wrap a roof if you haven't done so before or don't know the trade.

I don't reckon spraying would have been better really; vinyl is much easy to reverse (just peel off lol) and its easier and takes less time and work.

Title: Re: Vinyl roof... Pics, not asking advice.
Post by: stainesy on 17 February 2011, 19:35
would have been easier to spray it, even with rattle cans then you wouldnt have the creases down the edge?

This way if I get bored of it I can just peel it off and not have to worry about it, plus this was considerable less work and probably cheaper, it cost £60 for the vinyl and that came with a free tool to smooth it.  The creases were purely down to my inexperience, plus I don't think I used enough heat.

bloody hell 60 notes?
you can get real looking carbon vinyl sheet that size for 50 notes  :shocked:

im thinking of doing my bonnet and roof in this. what do you recon?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Carbon-Fibre-3D-Effect-Vinyl-Wrap-Bonnet-Roof-Kit_W0QQitemZ280630316652QQcategoryZ36677QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp4340.m263QQ_trkparmsZalgo%3DDLSL%252BSIC%26its%3DI%26itu%3DUCI%252BIA%252BUA%252BFICS%252BUFI%252BDDSIC%26otn%3D8%26pmod%3D290519529649%252B290519529649%26po%3D%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D7157023622853429434
Title: Re: Vinyl roof... Pics, not asking advice.
Post by: Jimmy Filth on 17 February 2011, 20:30
I'm not a fan of Carbon Fibre to be honest, but for some reason the carbon stuff is cheaper than the matt black
Title: Re: Vinyl roof... Pics, not asking advice.
Post by: stainesy on 17 February 2011, 20:35
I'm not a fan of Carbon Fibre to be honest, but for some reason the carbon stuff is cheaper than the matt black

my car is already black so doing bits matt black will just look like the paint has gone dull lol.
Title: Re: Vinyl roof... Pics, not asking advice.
Post by: Jimmy Filth on 17 February 2011, 20:38
yeah, I can see how you'd want something other than matte black, although i'd like it.  I had a black Passat and was gonna do the roof white.  Before it was written off.
Title: Re: Vinyl roof... Pics, not asking advice.
Post by: stainesy on 17 February 2011, 20:42
yeah, I can see how you'd want something other than matte black, although i'd like it.  I had a black Passat and was gonna do the roof white.  Before it was written off.

when i bought my golf standered my plan was to go with white wheels and white details but when i put white wheels on it i didnt like the look so i sold them and went with the black and chrome details instead not sure if the carbon bonnet and roof look would go though but am toying with the idea still
Title: Re: Vinyl roof... Pics, not asking advice.
Post by: Jimmy Filth on 17 February 2011, 21:06
That's the beauty of Vinyl, if you don't like it you can tear it off.  I personally think a white or cream roof would look so good with your car how it is at the minute, but that's just me.

I'm not sure, but I would suspect that carbon effect may me more difficult than a plain colour as when I applied heat to get the vinyl to go with the curves it distorted.  I'm not sure how much distortion is involved, whether it would be noticeable.  It's obviously possible as I've seen it done, but I wouldn't trust myself to do it first time.
Title: Re: Vinyl roof... Pics, not asking advice.
Post by: stainesy on 17 February 2011, 21:11
That's the beauty of Vinyl, if you don't like it you can tear it off.  I personally think a white or cream roof would look so good with your car how it is at the minute, but that's just me.

I'm not sure, but I would suspect that carbon effect may me more difficult than a plain colour as when I applied heat to get the vinyl to go with the curves it distorted.  I'm not sure how much distortion is involved, whether it would be noticeable.  It's obviously possible as I've seen it done, but I wouldn't trust myself to do it first time.

im not bothered about laying the vinyl as i work for a sign company that makes signs using vinyl so am a pro at it in all forms.
and that vinyl has small pin holes between the 3D carbon so easy lay with no bubbles
Title: Re: Vinyl roof... Pics, not asking advice.
Post by: Jimmy Filth on 17 February 2011, 21:17
Haha, sorry, didn't realise that, there I was chatting away as if I was speaking to someone with as little knowledge as me. lol
Title: Re: Vinyl roof... Pics, not asking advice.
Post by: stainesy on 17 February 2011, 22:26
Lol no worries mate done plenty of vinyl on cars on my time.
It is good fun tho and even I find it tricky still sometimes.
Title: Re: Vinyl roof... Pics, not asking advice.
Post by: LazyLunatic on 17 February 2011, 22:47
Matt black vinyl is a lot cheaper than carbon! Carbon wrap vinyl IS NOT CHEAP!
Title: Re: Vinyl roof... Pics, not asking advice.
Post by: Jimmy Filth on 17 February 2011, 22:49
Matt black vinyl is a lot cheaper than carbon! Carbon wrap vinyl IS NOT CHEAP!
 

I guess I was just looking at cheap quality stuff when it came to the vinyl.  It was a lot of fun, in a frustrating way.  I wanna do my whole car now.  Hahaha.
Title: Re: Vinyl roof... Pics, not asking advice.
Post by: Gash on 17 February 2011, 23:28
i picked up the same carbon vinyl in that ebay link 1.5m by 1.5m for £20 :)
Title: Re: Vinyl roof... Pics, not asking advice.
Post by: shepgti on 17 February 2011, 23:38
how damaging is vinyl to the paint underneath over time?
Title: Re: Vinyl roof... Pics, not asking advice.
Post by: Jimmy Filth on 17 February 2011, 23:46
i picked up the same carbon vinyl in that ebay link 1.5m by 1.5m for £20 :)

They're the prices I meant earlier, i got just under twice that of the matt black 3M for what I paid.

how damaging is vinyl to the paint underneath over time?

I've not found anything that says it is damaging.  Having seen the old royal mail vans that have been sold off and the vinyl lettering taken off, the paint that had been underneath actually looked in better condition than the paint that had been open to the elements.
Title: Re: Vinyl roof... Pics, not asking advice.
Post by: Wayne on 17 February 2011, 23:53
how damaging is vinyl to the paint underneath over time?

It does or should not damage the paint underneath if it is sound however when I removed the chequer roof I had you could see the squares as the uncovered paint faded a little and no amount of polish / cutting back would remove it,
Title: Re: Vinyl roof... Pics, not asking advice.
Post by: shepgti on 18 February 2011, 00:30
how damaging is vinyl to the paint underneath over time?

It does or should not damage the paint underneath if it is sound however when I removed the chequer roof I had you could see the squares as the uncovered paint faded a little and no amount of polish / cutting back would remove it,


but if i were to cover a whole bonnet no of it would fade. hmmmmmm :rolleyes:
Title: Re: Vinyl roof... Pics, not asking advice.
Post by: Deano2711 on 18 February 2011, 08:24
Did Blu not have trouble removing vinyl where it took the lacquer off his roof resulting in a respray ??
Title: Re: Vinyl roof... Pics, not asking advice.
Post by: Wayne on 18 February 2011, 09:03
how damaging is vinyl to the paint underneath over time?

It does or should not damage the paint underneath if it is sound however when I removed the chequer roof I had you could see the squares as the uncovered paint faded a little and no amount of polish / cutting back would remove it,


but if i were to cover a whole bonnet no of it would fade. hmmmmmm :rolleyes:

You will be ok if you cover the whole panel.  :smiley:

Did Blu not have trouble removing vinyl where it took the lacquer off his roof resulting in a respray ??

You can get issues if the panel has been repainted. :smiley:
Title: Re: Vinyl roof... Pics, not asking advice.
Post by: LazyLunatic on 18 February 2011, 09:17
As Wayne said, you'll have problems when removing vinyl if its had a sh!t paint job.

That's mega cheap Ash! I'm guessing its not cast vinyl... If it is, any good? I would use APA carbon vinyl if I wrapped anything, awesome stuff.
Title: Re: Vinyl roof... Pics, not asking advice.
Post by: Gash on 18 February 2011, 10:25
i know, i got it on auction, il get a photo of what iv wrapped up later today. the quality on it is really good though too!
Title: Re: Vinyl roof... Pics, not asking advice.
Post by: tdi_blu on 18 February 2011, 15:04
Think the main thing with this stuff is if your going to have it done pay the extra and get someone to do it who knows what there doing as if its applied by someone whos not to clever and hasnt done much with it looks awfull.My roof was original paint along with the tailgate which ended up being repainted I think what happened with mine is when I had roof bars it some how caused some slight laquer peel and when he applied the vinyl it just had a dam good grip of it and it went from there.Still in the end it pushed me to get the paint work sorted that needed doing my roofs now a lovely gloss black  :wink:

Title: Re: Vinyl roof... Pics, not asking advice.
Post by: GrandMstRamRod on 18 February 2011, 15:21
yeah halfords colour matched stuff can be pricey

+sh!t or they just carnt mix storm grey its to light

i would always stick with vw genuine sprays! but thats cause not sure were else to get it decently mixed
Title: Re: Vinyl roof... Pics, not asking advice.
Post by: tshirt2k on 19 February 2011, 08:52
Did you use a spray bottle with water and a little detergent to apply the vinyl?
Title: Re: Vinyl roof... Pics, not asking advice.
Post by: tshirt2k on 19 February 2011, 09:10
Just had a look on YouTube. Looks like it's not applied like that. But needs a few people.
Title: Re: Vinyl roof... Pics, not asking advice.
Post by: Jimmy Filth on 19 February 2011, 12:12
Did you use a spray bottle with water and a little detergent to apply the vinyl?

Don't need any water, I cleaned the roof and made sure it was dry, then with two people lightly laid the vinyl over, then started flattening it working from the middle.  It was really very easy, apart from the fact that I didn't heat and stretch it enough, which led to the creases. 
Title: Re: Vinyl roof... Pics, not asking advice.
Post by: LazyLunatic on 19 February 2011, 12:54
Did you use a spray bottle with water and a little detergent to apply the vinyl?

Don't need any water, I cleaned the roof and made sure it was dry, then with two people lightly laid the vinyl over, then started flattening it working from the middle.  It was really very easy, apart from the fact that I didn't heat and stretch it enough, which led to the creases. 

Yes, dry is he best way for something like that. Also plenty of excess around the edges really helps and a heat gun to help it into place. A decent application tool really helps, Gold 3M ftw.
Title: Re: Vinyl roof... Pics, not asking advice.
Post by: Jimmy Filth on 19 February 2011, 13:26
I found a hair dryer worked considerably better than the heatgun, with the heatgun it would focus intense heat into a smaller area, so that are would crinkle up a lot, whereas the hairdryer seemed to give a better heat over a bigger area, which helped in pulling it flat. 

This may have purely been to my inexperience and the fact that I was doing a single large, fairly flat panel...
Title: Re: Vinyl roof... Pics, not asking advice.
Post by: tshirt2k on 19 February 2011, 16:47
Interesting. Was thinkung about wrapping my roof. Just choosing a colour/finish to go with black.
Title: Re: Vinyl roof... Pics, not asking advice.
Post by: gtiballs61 on 19 February 2011, 20:19
Looks good jimmy :cool:
I have only ever used 3m carbon wrap so can't comment on any other products,but worked a treat for me.Heat and stretch is the best tip i can give.
When applying to roof or bonnet check for lacquer peel,or even a small stone chip could hamper removal in the future.

This is what i did to my front grill

(http://i791.photobucket.com/albums/yy200/skippybigballs/DSCF0531.jpg)
Title: Re: Vinyl roof... Pics, not asking advice.
Post by: LazyLunatic on 22 February 2011, 09:44
I found a hair dryer worked considerably better than the heatgun, with the heatgun it would focus intense heat into a smaller area, so that are would crinkle up a lot, whereas the hairdryer seemed to give a better heat over a bigger area, which helped in pulling it flat. 

This may have purely been to my inexperience and the fact that I was doing a single large, fairly flat panel...

If that works for you bud, then that's cool. Its gotta be a heatgun for me, just need to make sure heat is set at right setting and you don't hold it in one place for too long.

I need to practice with more vinyl work anyway, don't do enough of it really. I run a CNC machine at work mostly now; although its not all bad!
Title: Re: Vinyl roof... Pics, not asking advice.
Post by: Jimmy Filth on 22 February 2011, 10:18
think it may have been a mix of a bad quality heatgun and a good quality hairdryer. Hahaha
Title: Re: Vinyl roof... Pics, not asking advice.
Post by: VR6_Wherry on 22 February 2011, 11:49
I want to vinyl wrap my dash but i'm too lazy!  :grin:
Title: Re: Vinyl roof... Pics, not asking advice.
Post by: Len on 22 February 2011, 13:24
I wouldnt call it lazy!  :grin:

A bit crazy maybe! Be a really difficult job to do in the car and not exactly easy to do with the dash out!
Title: Re: Vinyl roof... Pics, not asking advice.
Post by: Jimmy Filth on 22 February 2011, 13:50
I'd want a lot more practice before I attempted a dashboard. Haha
Title: Re: Vinyl roof... Pics, not asking advice.
Post by: VR6_Wherry on 22 February 2011, 13:56
i've never wrapped anything before...

I'm like Alex though, would just do it for the laugh!  :grin: :grin:
Title: Re: Vinyl roof... Pics, not asking advice.
Post by: LazyLunatic on 22 February 2011, 14:22
:D Yeah mate, that's it!

I wouldn't want to do a dash! Not sure how well the vinyl would adhere and would imagine you wouldn't get it right first time, if ever! Could wrap parts of it I guess. Be easier to smooth it and spray it! :D

(Mmmm tempting idea)
Title: Re: Vinyl roof... Pics, not asking advice.
Post by: Jimmy Filth on 22 February 2011, 14:33
either way, i guess the dash would need to be taken out of the car...