Manually Laminating Vehicle Wraps... Is it possible to master?

First post here... I've learned so much from this community already... thank you all.

We're trying to do our first vehicle wrap and so far it's been VERY expensive. I've ruined at least (at least) 200 sf of #3M IJ180 and the Overlam... ouch.

After putting out the money for the new printer (HP Latex 110) and the Retail space with on-site install space, and the first rolls of material I really didn't feel like we could go with the laminator off the bat too. So after watching YouTube enough, I bought a Big Squeegee 56".

The BS works great for paper backed stuff, but I'm having so much trouble with thin backing and high backing removal force required with the 3M . The BS catches, hangs, leaves me with lines of bubbles, wrinkles, a mess. I don't know why it would be different from one day to the next, but I've had a much harder time today than yesterday. So half the truck got done yesterday.... all day today trying to get the other half done. No joy.

My question... Is it possible to reliably laminate 3M Gloss Laminate with any method other than a laminating machine? I'm open to methods other than the Big Squeegee...

Thanks to all for your help. My 17 year old son and I are excited about this new venture, but I'm really feeling stressed about purchasing another big item before we even get rolling.

(FYI - Florida... no large enough AC space to work so we're trying to work in the install area which is almost 90 degrees)

Prepare for a backlash here my friend. But all I have to say is that would you think it odd for a new mechanic to ask if they could get away with rebuilding an engine without buying a torque wrench? That is what you are asking. The BS is a great tool, but for the cost of one wrap, you can buy a proper laminator.

Hi.. thanks for your reply and yes, I would find that odd. However I'm asking in the very place I learned about the Big Squeegee to begin with, so hopefully there are some masters out there. I guess the difference I'm seeing is compared to the torque wrench analogy is that if it weren't for the particular backing of the I think I would be doing fine. I can run large sheets of vinyl with the big squeegee easily. I've done quite a bit with it and I'm glad I have it. It's a great tool. I was just HOPING I could do it without the investment.

Of course I thought the investment was a minimum of $ because a salesman told me the only lower cost option was Daige Laminator which he said was not worth buying... I've since seen others and I'm assuming I will need to buy one. Just trying hard not to because of the huge investment already made.

At least I'm not working out of my garage... I wouldn't want to be that guy... especially without a torque wrench.

Edit: Not that I really think there's anything wrong with professional home based or mobile businesses... I just have read lots here about those guys driving prices down and since I really hope for experienced guidance here, I'm just trying to say I'm an experienced professional business owner. Not a guy with a truck and a business card. We bought our first Roland 1 1/2 years ago and I didn't feel I had room (or money, I guess) for a laminator. Though I did build a nice 5' x 9' work table. The big squeegee was the first thing we tried - it did a horrible job of laminating. I spoke to Dale a couple times and he did his best to help. But in the end I came to the conclusion that the big squeegee just isn't a laminator. The big squeegee is a great tool - we use it constantly for mounting and it's worth every penny just for that purpose.

We finally learned to wet laminate. We would tape the print to the table with masking tape (to keep moisture from getting to the backing paper) and basically hinge the laminate over the print. Two people, good felt-covered squeegees, and lots of application fluid. Once we got the hang of it, it worked pretty well for us for a little over a year. But when we do a wrap (we average about one a month), I take it to another local shop and pay him to run my media through his laminator. It's just not worth the time and headache to try to do something that large without a laminator.

Though, after a year and a half of wet laminating, I finally made room and bought a laminator. The busier we got, the more I realized how valuable a piece of equipment a laminator is. If I was doing it again and could find a laminator in the $5k range, I would have bought it in the first place when I bought the printer. But if you're doing smaller stuff and your volume isn't there yet, you can get by hand-laminating for a while.

We bought our first Roland 1 1/2 years ago and I didn't feel I had room (or money, I guess) for a laminator. Though I did build a nice 5' x 9' work table. The big squeegee was the first thing we tried - it did a horrible job of laminating. I spoke to Dale a couple times and he did his best to help. But in the end I came to the conclusion that the big squeegee just isn't a laminator. The big squeegee is a great tool - we use it constantly for mounting and it's worth every penny just for that purpose.

We finally learned to wet laminate. We would tape the print to the table with masking tape (to keep moisture from getting to the backing paper) and basically hinge the laminate over the print. Two people, good felt-covered squeegees, and lots of application fluid. Once we got the hang of it, it worked pretty well for us for a little over a year. But when we do a wrap (we average about one a month), I take it to another local shop and pay him to run my media through his laminator. It's just not worth the time and headache to try to do something that large without a laminator.

Though, after a year and a half of wet laminating, I finally made room and bought a laminator. The busier we got, the more I realized how valuable a piece of equipment a laminator is. If I was doing it again and could find a laminator in the $5k range, I would have bought it in the first place when I bought the printer. But if you're doing smaller stuff and your volume isn't there yet, you can get by hand-laminating for a while.

Thanks NateF! That sounds a whole lot like my experience so far. I even spoke with Dale today myself and he was very helpful, but couldn't actually tell me the secret sauce solution. I talked to 3M (who I also talked to before going this route - at which time they said "yes, you can apply the laminate by hand") today they told me that the required tension to remove the backing from the was very difficult to do by hand. They mentioned that water getting to the edge made wet laminating a problem, but it sounds like you got around that.

I do know of a local shop that will laminate for me, but it's not very close (45 minutes) and he's at about $1.00 a square foot which seems like a lot. I might ask around and see if I can find someone else. I need to do something tomorrow because I'm sitting here with half a truck done in my shop! (the first day went better... not sure why today just couldn't get a good lamination).

It's all a matter of money. If money were no object, sure thing... give me the best one brand new, set it up and let's go!

I'm thinking of a used purchase. I see a couple of good ones. A Royal Sovereign 65" and a US Tech (Worf) that I still need to research a little. I just have a picture of the model number.

I wonder if I should try the wet lamination method to finish the truck. I'm just so sick about all the wasted material so far. I read here that 3M stands for 3 times the money... I'm feeling it on the trailer full of waste!

Take our quick quiz to find your perfect flooring match– personalized recommendations that fit your style, lifestyle, and space, all in just a few minutes!

For more information, please visit our website.

Jiwei are exported all over the world and different industries with quality first. Our belief is to provide our customers with more and better high value-added products. Let's create a better future together.

Finding the perfect flooring for your home is effortless with our free design services. Our design experts are here to guide you through the process and help you navigate all your options.

The company is the world’s best PUR for Flat Lamination supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.