Vinyl wrapping a boat

drcoastline · 09:03 AM

Any vinyl wrap experts on board? I found this sweet little 1991 Wahoo 16 dual console dirt cheap couldn't pass it up. Came with two running motors. It will make a fun knockabout boat. It had a horrendous paint job so I decided to strip it to the gelcoat and repaint. Half way through sanding I started thinking of vinyl wrap instead of painting. Faster, less prep, cheaper, less mess, better cool factor.

Currently the paint is stripped, scratches and gouges in gelcoat filled and sanded to 80. Anyone know how the surface needs to be prepped to get the vinyl to stick propperly? I am guessing sanding to 80 isn't good enough? Thoughts from anyone with real application experience.

The boat and some wrap ideas.

dad911 · 06-29-2019, 09:09 AM

I've done vinyl cut lettering, not wrap. Did some graphics for a friends Boston Whaler (in the Fl keys) and it's still holding up 5 years later.

I'd recommend "Ida Art Signs", long time PCA member, his son does the wraps and I'm sure he can give you the answers.

You also don't need the complete wrap (on the bottom) I suspect painting would be alot cheaper, get the graphics above the waterline.

drcoastline · 06-29-2019, 12:27 PM

Thanks for the info dad911. Not wrapping the bottom. It will only be the waterline up. I have done some wrap in the past so have a little knowledge and will be doing this myself. The flag wrap on the boat above is only $199.00 for two graphics. I am actually leaning toward carbon fiber look vinyl like the 911 Nippy wrapped. Two 2.5'x20' lengths for $80.00 shipped.

I am just unsure how to prep the gelcoat. Do I need to sand smoother, polish, maybe apply a barrier coat? Just want to make sure it sticks.

Seahawk · 06-29-2019, 12:50 PM

Nothing to add other than that is a nice runaround boat.

I like the hull shape and the 50 hp outboard

Racerbvd · Racerbvd's Garage

Like with paint, it is all about the prep.

jorian · 06-29-2019, 09:25 PM

I used to own a sign shop way back and we did a fair amount of wraps when they first came out.

As other have mentioned the prep work will determine the final quality. 80 grit is OK for about a 20 foot look. If you can get to 120 it will be easier to apply, look a lot better and last longer. Surface irregularities are amplified in vinyl. If possible stay away from a high gloss looking vinyl. They don't look good unless perfectly applied to a perfect surface and they don't suffer abrasions as well either.

I would try to avoid wrapping the gunnels/topsides. Any surface that gets materials, fishing gear, shoes etc dragged across it will be very hard on vinyl. I would apply the bottom paint first and cover the top 1" of the paint with the vinyl.

Cool little run-about.

john70t · 06-29-2019, 09:32 PM

The third pic has a smooth flat surface.
It looks damn cool now.
Fresh and new.

But your boat has the wavy bow diverter ridges.
Will those plastic graphic sheets stand up to a continuous salt-water power-wash over time?

No experience here. Just a suggestion for a warranty.

Bill Douglas · 06-29-2019, 11:50 PM

A good paint job - done yourself, will last 15 years. The wrap is good if you want wrap. If you just want the boat UV proofed and water proof I'm thinking using the correct paint is the way to go. Especially if it's parked outside. Who knows what wrap is like with intense heat and UVs after a number of years.

drcoastline · 06-30-2019, 05:34 AM

Good morning and thank you all again for your input.

Jorian- The vinyl would only be applied from the joint where the hull meets the liner down to the water line. I know the finished look is in the prep just like paint and any imperfection will show through. Again my original intent was to paint so my prep would go anywhere from 240 to 400 depending on the paint system I use. Sanding to 120 isn't a problem if you think that is sufficient for adhesion? I can go further if you think that is better? My concern is adhesion.

john70t- I am using a marine grade vinyl by 3M and Vivvid both expected to hold up to salt water and both have a stretch that will allow them to go into the concaves at the bow.

Bill Douglas- Paint no doubt has a longer life expectancy. The vinyl's I chose are marine grade and have a life expectancy of about 7 years. I don't expect to have this boat that long. A year or two at most.