Anyone vinyl wrapped a frame?

[Henne]

Just wondered if anyone has wrapped a frame in a similar way as car modifiers do when customising cars. Post pics if you have.

This could be an alternative to a respray. It could be done at home if got hold of vinyl wrap. Just searched on eBay and prices of vinyl seems cheap and reasonable but probably prices increase for better quality vinyl. Just need to work out how much vinyl needed to wrap a frame!

 

[regan_ev]

Don't go there. You will waste lots of time, energy, sweat, tears, swear words and vinyl.

You'll probably need cast vinyl for ultimate conformity, but getting into the joins at tube ends, welds, dropouts, cable guides, etc, will be impossible, even if using a cast vinyl. Not to mention more time consuming and potentially more costly than even the cheapest form of repainting.

 

[kalex]

Re:

I tried doing my motorbikes front mudguard a few years back. I spent ages struggling to get it around the contours and you need about 4 pairs of hands. In the end it wasted my time and I pulled it off even before I'd finished it

 

[The History Man]

Skin would be easier and more original.

 

[Retro Spud]

Nader did decoupage !

arguably a lot easier and the result was certainly unique !

 

[gil_m]

Re:

Biggest issue is you will always have a join where the material meets, this problem is avoided when wrapping vehicles as the edges are always wrapped behind the panel or doors

Good effect with big panels with hidden edges, crap when trying to do a tube, I've done plenty of rims but even these are a pain in the arse and time consuming

 

[M-Power]

Re:

Done it to straight tube sus fork stanchions and components with great results but never tried a frame. Tend to agree with above, sounds like a right pita.

 

[RadNomad]

Re:

A friend of mine wrapped his carbon road frame with clear vinyl for scratch protection (a specialist did it for him), it wasn’t possible to wrap joints and complex areas but he did the main tubes, it looks alright actually.

It’s a good idea to do this before adding frame packs for bike packing trips. Prevents scuffing from straps and webbing.

 

[HullBorn]

Re:

Not tried it but hydrographic dipping looks pretty cool.

http://www.aquagraphix.co.uk/examples/cars-bikes/

 

[dyna-ti]

Cover the entire thing in fake fur fabric.

Be unique