Vinyl wrap, protect or hurt gelcoat?

[kybishop]

If a vinyl wrap is applied to the gelcoat, does it protect the gelcoat or does it hurt it in any way? I have read that it will protect it but that is from a copany site that sells it.

Has anyone on here had this applied to their boat and does it scuff and scratch easy?

If you later take it off, is this difficult to remove and is there an adhesive or something that would be a PIA to remove?

I also hear you should remove these within a certain period of time?

Just thinking of a solid color from water line stripe up to rub rail. Just curious.

Thanks.

 

[Yachtmaster.]

I can't answer your question directly but a friend of mine who's business is putting these wraps on, put it on his boat. I'm guessing he wouldn't have put it on if it was harmful.

 

[trit21]

I own a sign company and we do many wraps, actually doing one today as well. Material will not harm the gelcoat or painted surface. The wrap material will scuff if you rub a dock or fender for example. We do apply a protective laminate but it will not totally be scratch free if you are rubbing docks. It will last 5-7 years, depending on how well you take care of it, wash it with the right wash, etc. I will remove even after 5-7 years and the adhesive that is left behind is easily removed by using adhesive remover. To apply a wrap, you have to start with a very clean, non-oxidized surface. New is good, slightly faded is bad. Rub your hand on the surface, if it comes back with any color (white powder from the hull or whatever color) then the wrap material will not stick to the surface. They do make solid color wrap material that is already dyed so the color will last longer but there is only so many color to choose from. Custom printing is of course always an option as well. Hope these answered your questions.

We actually changed the hull color of a 175 SeaRay from blue to a light gray and integrated a company logo in the hull. Kind of a dull wrap but that is what the customer wanted. We have wrapped several Ferrari's Challenger race cars as well.

 

[wvsundancer]

are you asking about shrink wrap ???

 

[MaddyDean]

are you asking about shrink wrap ???

http://fellers.com/boatwraps/?id=tu4xsupb&gclid=CO3W8orzrKMCFRtinAodk0Q65A