I wasn't not planning to wrap a car right now, but since the SL is in Florida, I couldn't help myself. Mostly did it to protect the original paint and it's fun thing to do for me.
After contacting several wrap shops in Mimai/Broward, I decided to do the wrap myself. Wasn't too thrilled about the communication, pretty much every shop I contacted wasn't too excited about answering my emails. Except one, which is a Brand New shop that just opened up in Miami, CK Wraps, he just moved here from Canada. I really like his work, so I highly recommend the guy, if anyone needs a wrap in that area.
The goal this time was to wrap the car without taking the bumpers, taillight and headlights off. The SL is a pretty complicated car, so I didn't want to touch this stuff. What I learned with my 3rd wrap(1st was Infiniti FX and the second one was Scion IQ), that if you have the right tools and patience you can easily wrap any car without removing the bumpers. I removed the antennas and door handles since it was pretty easy to do and some other small stuff.
Another new technique I learned is a “cold pre-stretch”, takes about 15 minutes to wrap a door. Saw it on CK Wraps YouTube channel. This definitely saved me a lot of time. From start to end it took me 52 hours . A lot time spent on tucking the corners nicely and clay baring the original clear coat before applying the vinyl. Everything was done outside, with no garage. Only have minimal dust particles under the vinyl on front and rear bumpers.
The color that I picked is very close to the original Mercedes Designo matte paint. S261 3M 1080 Dark Gray Satin Vinyl. Very nice material to work with. Overall I'm very happy with the results, definitely a big step up from the previous wraps, but they are some things I still need to work on. Enjoy the pictures!
Usual wrap prep
IMG_20170111_110035878_HDR by Tuner Store, on Flickr
IMG_20170111_111600191_HDR by Tuner Store, on Flickr
IMG_20170111_114847125 by Tuner Store, on Flickr
IMG_20170111_111609656 by Tuner Store, on Flickr
IMG_20170111_114900265 by Tuner Store, on Flickr
IMG_20170111_115933448_HDR by Tuner Store, on Flickr
IMG_20170111_134934774 by Tuner Store, on Flickr
IMG_20170111_140405742 by Tuner Store, on Flickr
IMG_20170111_140532579 by Tuner Store, on Flickr
IMG_20170111_140153975 by Tuner Store, on Flickr
IMG_20170111_141151723 by Tuner Store, on Flickr
IMG_20170111_141404322 by Tuner Store, on Flickr
My favorite Adhesive removal tool, made by 3M. I think I own it for 10 years now and it still does the job
IMG_20170111_143015680 by Tuner Store, on Flickr
IMG_20170111_142124566 by Tuner Store, on Flickr
I always start with the easy parts first
IMG_20170110_124314213 by Tuner Store, on Flickr
IMG_20170110_130005003 by Tuner Store, on Flickr
IMG_20170110_130550280 by Tuner Store, on Flickr
IMG_20170110_131436729 by Tuner Store, on Flickr
Color matched fog bezels
IMG_20170111_170626433 by Tuner Store, on Flickr
IMG_20170111_171209548 by Tuner Store, on Flickr
IMG_20170111_171658687 by Tuner Store, on Flickr
One piece satellite antenna
IMG_20170111_174152861 by Tuner Store, on Flickr
Faded trim is wrapped in 3M Gloss Black
IMG_20170112_113615547 by Tuner Store, on Flickr
IMG_20170112_120253834_HDR by Tuner Store, on Flickr
After contacting several wrap shops in Mimai/Broward, I decided to do the wrap myself. Wasn't too thrilled about the communication, pretty much every shop I contacted wasn't too excited about answering my emails. Except one, which is a Brand New shop that just opened up in Miami, CK Wraps, he just moved here from Canada. I really like his work, so I highly recommend the guy, if anyone needs a wrap in that area.
The goal this time was to wrap the car without taking the bumpers, taillight and headlights off. The SL is a pretty complicated car, so I didn't want to touch this stuff. What I learned with my 3rd wrap(1st was Infiniti FX and the second one was Scion IQ), that if you have the right tools and patience you can easily wrap any car without removing the bumpers. I removed the antennas and door handles since it was pretty easy to do and some other small stuff.
Another new technique I learned is a “cold pre-stretch”, takes about 15 minutes to wrap a door. Saw it on CK Wraps YouTube channel. This definitely saved me a lot of time. From start to end it took me 52 hours . A lot time spent on tucking the corners nicely and clay baring the original clear coat before applying the vinyl. Everything was done outside, with no garage. Only have minimal dust particles under the vinyl on front and rear bumpers.
The color that I picked is very close to the original Mercedes Designo matte paint. S261 3M 1080 Dark Gray Satin Vinyl. Very nice material to work with. Overall I'm very happy with the results, definitely a big step up from the previous wraps, but they are some things I still need to work on. Enjoy the pictures!
Usual wrap prep
IMG_20170111_110035878_HDR by Tuner Store, on FlickrIMG_20170111_111600191_HDR by Tuner Store, on FlickrIMG_20170111_114847125 by Tuner Store, on FlickrIMG_20170111_111609656 by Tuner Store, on FlickrIMG_20170111_114900265 by Tuner Store, on FlickrIMG_20170111_115933448_HDR by Tuner Store, on FlickrIMG_20170111_134934774 by Tuner Store, on FlickrIMG_20170111_140405742 by Tuner Store, on FlickrIMG_20170111_140532579 by Tuner Store, on FlickrIMG_20170111_140153975 by Tuner Store, on FlickrIMG_20170111_141151723 by Tuner Store, on FlickrIMG_20170111_141404322 by Tuner Store, on FlickrMy favorite Adhesive removal tool, made by 3M. I think I own it for 10 years now and it still does the job
IMG_20170111_143015680 by Tuner Store, on FlickrIMG_20170111_142124566 by Tuner Store, on FlickrI always start with the easy parts first
IMG_20170110_124314213 by Tuner Store, on FlickrIMG_20170110_130005003 by Tuner Store, on FlickrIMG_20170110_130550280 by Tuner Store, on FlickrIMG_20170110_131436729 by Tuner Store, on FlickrColor matched fog bezels
IMG_20170111_170626433 by Tuner Store, on FlickrIMG_20170111_171209548 by Tuner Store, on FlickrIMG_20170111_171658687 by Tuner Store, on FlickrOne piece satellite antenna
IMG_20170111_174152861 by Tuner Store, on FlickrFaded trim is wrapped in 3M Gloss Black
IMG_20170112_113615547 by Tuner Store, on FlickrIMG_20170112_120253834_HDR by Tuner Store, on Flickr
