A Heartfelt Thank You! (My sons first car) - Wrapping a Fiero (Page 2/3)
copperhens APR 29, 04:50 PM
My first car was a Fiero. That was only a few years ago, I still have that Fiero and have since gotten two others. When I first bought my Fiero, I knew nothing about working on cars(didn’t even know how to change a tire), but had liked it for the headlights. I’ve since moved on to rebuilding an engine and know much more than I used to. No one at my high school knew what it was, and even driving the Fieros around now people always turn their heads. Your son picked the right car!
da.slyboy APR 30, 12:53 PM
I would like to know more about your wrapping process. Where did you obtain your supplies? How did you learn about wrapping? How do you go about cutting and fitting the pieces? Costs vs paint?

I think wrapping is a good idea for a daily or track car. Lots of options, and maybe more cost effective/easier to repair when needed?
Forrest MAY 04, 10:41 AM

quote
Originally posted by da.slyboy:

I would like to know more about your wrapping process. Where did you obtain your supplies? How did you learn about wrapping? How do you go about cutting and fitting the pieces? Costs vs paint?

I think wrapping is a good idea for a daily or track car. Lots of options, and maybe more cost effective/easier to repair when needed?



My son picked TeckWraps High Gloss white vinyl.
1.52m x 15m (59.8" x 590.6", 4.98ft x 49.2ft, 1.66yd x 16.4yd)
https://teckwrap.com/
at $337 shipped. This was enough to make some mistakes and still have some left over.

I bought this kit from amazon...it had everything I needed
https://amzn.to/3fk8Moz
and this knifless tape
https://amzn.to/2L0cNQS
You will also need a heat gun or hair dryer....heat gun is better.

How to wrap....out of all the folks I watched on youtube I learned the most from Christian, aka ck wraps
https://www.youtube.com/user/MrSpyderGT
Using knifeless tape
How to do corners
When to use overlays vs stretching
How to avoid peelback
are key in being successful.

This was my first project wrapping.
Like any paint job I had to work my way around the car...slap some bondo in/sand rough spots. Blemishes will show through the wrap just like paint.
I just took it one panel at a time. The relativly flat design helped a ton and made the job less intimidating.
The front and rear bumpers were a challenge but I got through it with some prayer ;-)

Repair is as easy as putting it on in the first place. Heat up and peel off the old stuff...stick a new piece.
It is very tedious work. Paint is quicker for sure but I was quoted $1500 to paint the car. With this total cost was around $360 tools and all....and I could do it in my garage. He got a couple nicks in it while removing the old rear glass in favor of new ones so we just pulled that piece and slapped on a new one.

After tires, brakes, ignition system, etc etc that went into the car to get her running again...I was looking to save a few bucks if I could.

[This message has been edited by Forrest (edited 05-04-2020).]

FieroMaster88 MAY 04, 02:51 PM
Awesome! Turned out really good.

------------------
88 Coupe: 2.0L Turbo 4 Cylinder, W2A, T25 Turbo, water/meth injection
84 Indy #64: Restoration Project
84 IMSA wide body SE: 3800 Supercharged
Rear Engine Shop on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/fast88fiero

Quadfather MAY 09, 10:19 AM
Thanks for posting the details about how you did the wrap. My DIY Rust-oleum paint job hasn’t met with my expectations, so your experience gives me hope that a wrap might be a good way to salvage it.
Forrest SEP 02, 11:28 PM
Follow-up
We just sent him to college a bit ago. I just wanted to share that he wanted his Fiero in his Sr Pictures. This little car has given us some adventures here and there but he still has a LOVE for it. Me too actually. Dont worry...he was not leaning on the spoiler. He told me "Dad I had my butt on the taillights and had 0 pressure on the spoiler but the photo guy wanted me to pose like that"...I made him ALWAYS close the rear lid from below the spoiler. A lot of literal blood sweat and tears went into this car....it was worth it!
Given the crap year he got as a Sr year under the fear of this bug (I am covid recovered), the hurricanes (We live in Houston) and all other natural and or manmade disasters( MLB Went Woke :-(, uh....covid? )....I am so grateful to God that he gave us this distraction.


[This message has been edited by Forrest (edited 09-02-2021).]

TM_Fiero SEP 03, 07:33 AM
Great job on restoring the Fiero! Looked like a great project for the both of you to work on. The both of you have a lot to be proud of.
ace5514 SEP 07, 02:21 PM
That looks AWESOME!!!!
bergertime MAR 09, 11:40 AM
It's been a few years, just wondering how the wrap and the Fiero have held up.
TheDigitalAlchemist MAR 09, 02:30 PM

quote
Originally posted by bergertime:

It's been a few years...



Thank goodness... I started reading the thread and thought I saw all this before... didn't look at the date.

Hope heis doing well in school and with the Fiero.