Marine Wrap instead of Paint

[doublenutz]

I have been a lurker on this forum for quite sometime just reading the posts. I have a 79 260DA that i purchase a few years ago and I simply love it.

I have decided that I will keep it for perhaps another 10 years and will do some restoration and updates. The interior is as immaculate as it was the same say the original owner before me purchased it. However, the exterior gelcoat has endured the sun for nearly 30 years and is starting to show some yellowing age (even after a good cut and polish). I looked into painting and got a startling number of bids that sarted at $6000 and went up from there!:wow: So a freind of mine reecommended that I try doing a Marine wrap from a sign company that did a fantastic job on his race car. For $800:thumbsup: the sign company will wrap the entire side hull from the water line up to the side bumper in two 3M vinyl colors (navy blue with a 2 in stripe of red at the bumper line). The wrap carrys a 5 year warranty against fading and is pretty easy to repair if it gets torn, so long as there are not deep gouges in the gel coat.

I have done a google search on Marine Wraps and apparently it has become very popular, especially since you can change the color or graphics on a boat pretty easily and very inexpensively as compared to paint or airbrushing.

My question for the forum is- Has anybody here done this or seen the long term results of a Marine Wrap?

 

[StressAweigh]

I have seen some pro fisherman have there bass boats and offshore boats done but as far as long term I have know idea due to the fact that the ones I have seem have been changed a fews times with in a short time But it sounds like a good idea

 

[dpvandy01]

You could have the only Cruiser with a glitter coat!! NICE:thumbsup:

 

[barryg]

My company did the first 3M bus wrap over 16 years ago and has been doing boat wraps for about 5 years; with it really catching on over the past 2-3. We work with top marine artists Guy Harvey and Carey Chen among others. If you are getting a wrap in just a solid 3M vinyl color, first of all make sure it is the 3M "180-?-(whatever the number is for the blue you have selected) 2mil cast vinyl, and also make sure they use a 3M lamination, which should be numbered 8519. If they are not familiar with boat wraps there are a lot of areas for failure. If they are actually printing the wrap, you need to make sure they are actually certified Scotchprint approved by 3M which means that not only will the vinyl and lamination be 3M, but the inks they use will also be, which is what really matters when it comes to fading. With that certification, the warranty is from 3M, not just a local sign company.

Here's a photo of one that we did recently..It's a 31' Bahamas, with artwork by Carey Chen..

 

[HavnFunYet?]

The warranty for printed graphics from 3M is only 3 years. Oracal makes a great film (3951) that when printed and then laminated with their 290 laminate has a 7 year warranty. Although the 3M film may be a bit easier to apply, it is tough to argue with a 7 year warranty on printed graphics! As for using just the 3M vinyl itself, unprinted, you should not have to laminate it and it is a 7-8 year film.

Wraps on boats and vehicles have certainly gained in popularity over the past year or two and really can be eye popping!

A local sign company ought to be able to take care of everything you need and want.

Good luck!

 

[doublenutz]

Wraps on boats and vehicles have certainly gained in popularity over the past year or two and really can be eye popping!

A local sign company ought to be able to take care of everything you need and want.

Good luck!

Yes, it is a local sign company doing the job and they have done several race cars (as far as I know) for locals here. I was really absolutely thrilled about the price... it was easy to sell to my wife!:thumbsup::lol:

 

[SCORPIO]

Can you post some before and after pics?

 

[doublenutz]

Oracal makes a great film (3951) that when printed and then laminated with their 290 laminate has a 7 year warranty.
A local sign company ought to be able to take care of everything you need and want.

Good luck!

I took your advice on the Orcal and my sign guy is putting it on today instead of the 3M.

I will post Before and After pics when all complete:thumbsup:

 

[KRB64]

How does that stuff work? How does it conform around the lines and curves, etc?

 

[Pirate]

I took your advice on the Orcal and my sign guy is putting it on today instead of the 3M.

I will post Before and After pics when all complete:thumbsup:

Where are those pics? :huh:

 

[H2ONUT]

 

[kbsunlovers]

I'd really like to see the result in person - where ya moored at, Nutz?

 

[doublenutz]

Where are those pics? :huh:

 

[doublenutz]

I'd really like to see the result in person - where ya moored at, Nutz?

I am moored at Columbia Crossing- Tomahawk Bay in J2 across from the Willamette Yacht Club

However, the boat is still on stands at Schooner Creek and will be at Mike's Mobile Marine at Pier 99 getting fitted with a new O/D on Wednesday (5/21).


These photos were taken today and more detail work will be getting done over the next few days.

OBTW, sorry about the pic quality. I took the photos with my phone.

 

[jmeo2x]

Do you come toLong islan NY. If not can you recommend anyone in LI, what would be the estimated cost for a 76 30' SRV weekender. I am not looking for any fancy grafics just for the boat to look as good as it can be.

 

[doublenutz]

Do you come toLong islan NY. If not can you recommend anyone in LI, what would be the estimated cost for a 76 30' SRV weekender. I am not looking for any fancy grafics just for the boat to look as good as it can be.

You can go to most places that make signs and they will know about Oracal or 3M Marine wrap. My guy did my hull sides from the bottom paint waterline up to the point you see in the photos for $800 TOTAL! He is finisihing the nose today.

It looks REALLY GOOD. The photos do it no justice, you have to see it up close. I am very happy with my decision to do the Marine wrap instead of paint.:smt038

 

[Kurt]

I saw this done on TV on a brand new Lotus turbo that was used for racing. It looked incredible. My only doubt is that it might be easier to tear or gouge and then there is nothing you can do to buff or wax out..... it's just a hole there you can't get rid of.

 

[doublenutz]

My only doubt is that it might be easier to tear or gouge and then there is nothing you can do to buff or wax out..... it's just a hole there you can't get rid of.

Nope, it is pretty durable. I have already a few bumping accidents today and no tears or gouges. It holds up wonderfully. The other great news is, if you do manage to tear or gouge it... repairs take less than thirty minutes. Simply cut out the damaged area and replace it with another strip of oracal cut to fit into the damaged area.
Cheaper and quicker than paint once again.:smt038

Folks down at my moorage are freaking out at how beautiful it looks and they just about crap their pants when I tell them how much it costs to do. Since my boat returned to the moorage, the guy that did my boat (Ray) has been flooded wth calls to schedule in new boats. He had a Northriver fishing boat sitting infront of his shop today that was getting done. That boat was getting graphics put on that looked like camoflage. I think Ray's calendar just filled up.:wow:

 

[DCarl320]

Looks Awesome Devil Dog... right down to the "Blood Stripe". :thumbsup::thumbsup: I would love to see the finished product. Oooh RAH!! :grin: :grin: :grin:

 

[doublenutz]

Looks Awesome Devil Dog... right down to the "Blood Stripe". :thumbsup::thumbsup: I would love to see the finished product. Oooh RAH!! :grin: :grin: :grin:

Ahhhhh, you noticed that!:grin: Yep, the colors are actually Marine Blue and Blood Red. I am going to have a nice large graphic made of an EGA and place one on each side of the bow. My sign guy "all of a sudden" got really busy so I have got wait for the graphic. But when he's done ....ohhhhh boy, I can'y wait!

Semper Fi