Zenith Aircraft Builders and Flyers
Online Community of Zenith Builders and Flyers
Vinyl Wrap Update
Just thought I would post an update on the condition of the vinyl wrap that covers my entire 701, after five years.
In short, it still looks brand new! Everywhere I go people ask me what it cost for the paint job. They are shocked that my 701 is not painted! They walk up close and look at the rivets and tell me that I am pulling their leg! I can only convince them by showing them a seam.
About three years ago a tire went flat and, since the fuel tanks were full, the upper tank siphoned gas to the the low wing tank which slowly leaked it out the cap and down the wing. I did not discover it for two days by which time it had ruined the vinyl.
For a couple hundred bucks a section of the vinyl was removed and a replaced in a couple of hours. It was color matched and you could not even tell the difference.
Doing a wrap was the best decision I made, after building a 701, and I would do it again in a heart beat.
Comment
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Comment by Rod Hatcher on September 6, 2016 at 4:16pm
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Geoff, it is 3M. I was advised to not prime the plane as the vinyl adhered to the bare metal much better. However, I made a chin scoop out of fiberglass and added it to the lower cowling when I changed to a better oil cooler. It had to be primed and smooth before adding the vinyl. So it apparently does work on a primed surface.
I would check with the installer for advice.
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Comment by Geoff Klestadt on September 6, 2016 at 4:08pm
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Rod, what brand of vinyl?
I'm thinking of doing a wrap myself. My plane is primed with two part epoxy aircraft primer already.
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Dave, I don't have an exact number for you. The installer said the vinyl wrap weighed less than paint. How much or what the total was I can't say.
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Comment by Dave Alldredge on September 1, 2016 at 9:22pm
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I am curious to know how much the vinyl ended up adding to the final weight of the plane ?
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Chris, the compound curves are all tight and smooth. The installer had a glue they added to the edges to make sure they stayed attached. I am running a Jabiru 3300.
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Comment by Christopher Jon Brown on August 30, 2016 at 4:07pm
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How has it held up, any bubbling or loosening on the engine cowl as it has all the compound curves and heat from the engine. I'd like to just wrap my cowl and was worried it might come off due to the heat. PS I'm running a Rotax on a 750
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Comment by Glenn Davis on August 29, 2016 at 5:02pm
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Thanks for the update Ron.
I was wanting to wrap when I finished my build but was concerned about how long the vinyl would last before peeling or cracking. I would think that after 5 years if it was going to it would have already.
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I could pick from a selection of colors - or - have a custom color made.
Estimates for the same paint job were over $15K. The wrap was a bit over $5K and it was done in my hangar in three days.
Your welcome.
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Comment by STEVEN and TARA SMITH on August 29, 2016 at 2:32pm
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WOW how nice is that! Did you have to pick from a selection of colors, or were you able to color match and create the color you wanted. Approx final cost is another good question that helps us balance paint -vs- wrap. Thanks Rod
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