Real Men Don't Paint...

[Jpm757]

The white on the -7 as well as the striping is vinyl. One sheet for the top of the wing and one on the bottom. One sheet on each side of the fuselage fuselage split down the middle. The only seam there is aft of the slider track. Striping is accomplished using 3M knifeless tape.

[Piper J3]

Originally Posted by Jpm757

The white on the -7 as well as the striping is vinyl. One sheet for the top of the wing and one on the bottom. One sheet on each side of the fuselage fuselage split down the middle. The only seam there is aft of the slider track. Striping is accomplished using 3M knifeless tape.

And all that was accomplished in one day per post #8?

Done professionally?

Cost for labor?

[Jasonm]

Originally Posted by Piper J3

Update: I just reinstalled the avionics bay cover and looks really good. Now I want to wrap the top cowling. I think it can be done with a single piece of vinyl. I haven?t done anything with compound curves so I?ll wait for warm weather when material is more pliable. I have seen YouTube videos where hot air gun or open-flame Bernzomatic torch is used to facilitate stretching. Probably take until warm weather just to work up my nerve?

Jim-
Your top cowl will be very easy to do with one piece. Start off working from the middle out, not much heat will be necessary on that shape. Stay away from torches, no need for them. My heat gun is only turned up half way and I only use it on real tight surfaces. Cold stretching the film is your friend.

[Jasonm]

Originally Posted by tomkk

How well did the colors match? I was afraid to try two sources because of color matching.

with white film, they're all pretty much the same. I also don't have the two different ones right next to each other.

[descro]

Things in the industry have moved right along with the vinyl. Many print shops will have a latex printer (not solvent based) that can produce high resolution artwork on vinyl and along with a protective laminate, create a sandwich that can be used to wrap complex surfaces. Used all the time with vehicles.

I've experimented with vinyl prints through weprintwraps.com out of Phoenix. The quality is good - can go with matte or gloss images. Pricing is good too.

While I'm currently working on creating a console for my RV14a and wrapping the aluminum sides with the printed vinyl, I intend to do larger artwork on the vertical stabilizer and cowling.

I'll provide photos once installed.

[Brdog42]

Maybe asked before, but...

Will the wrap keep moisture from collecting between wrap and the bare aluminum?

[Jpm757]

Jim,
Yes we covered the -7 in one ( long) day, one of us had experience with applying vinyl wrap. The flat flight controls literally take only minutes apiece. The wings are 2 big sheets, definitely a 2 man job. The fuselage took the most time, however the beauty of the 3M vinyl is if you screw up laying it down, you just pull it up and reapply. A Good heat gun and some sharp razor blades as well as felt covered plastic squeegee will do the trick. The striping is a lot of fun using the knifeless tape, you can experiment with the design till you are happy. Slap on the colored vinyl, peel the wire and you have a very nice fine line stripe. Maybe some day I will peel the vinyl off and white base coat the fuselage, but I am very pleased with the vinyl up to this point. Regardless however, I will always be using vinyl for the striping.

[AlpineYoda]

Just ordered 7 sample pieces in 4x6 inch sheets for $2 each on Amazon to see the color differences and to try it out a little. You convinced me!

[chaskuss]

Originally Posted by NinerBikes

Wondering what the life expectancy is on vinyl wrap on a hangared plane? What does it do for weight compared to paint, on a whole RV-12?

I'm wondering how much corrosion he'll find under that vinyl in 5 - 10 years???

Charlie

[Brdog42]

Originally Posted by chaskuss

I'm wondering how much corrosion he'll find under that vinyl in 5 - 10 years???

Charlie

Charlie,

That?s my concern, as well.