RockBlocker
05-11-2004, 06:36 PM
I have had several Subaru owners that have asked for a more detailed write-up on the installation of the paint protection film that we offer.
The paint protection installation is not an exact science that can be taught in five minutes or on this page. We will try to give you the basic idea of what needs to be done to understand the basics of a proper installation.
Prepping the surface of the paint is one of the most important processes that needs to be done well. If you miss anything that could cause problems during the installation or blemishes in the finished product. Optimum temperature for installation is between 60-80 degrees.
Lets start with the basic and easier pieces first
Most mirrors have a flat surface to them usually. You want to start from the inside of the mirror closest to the car for you starting point. After tacking that point you then want to stretch the piece to the outside point to give and allow the material to be flat across the face of the mirror. SEE EXAMPLE ONE (http://www.rockblocker.com/site_images/mirror1.jpg) . Once that is achieved then you want to squeegee the flat surface in nice consistent rows to insure there are no bubbles left behind. When it comes to the edges you need to increase your pressure of the squeegee and slow down the speed to get the material to lay down evenly. If the edges keep popping up you can rewet and try again.
Now that wasnt so bad, right?
When it comes to the fenders you should try in most cases to install them before the hood. That way you know where to line up the hood piece when the time comes. Make sure to tack the front most corner by the hood and the headlight first, then tack your second point at the back of the fender by the hood. Then you squeegee that section you have just tacked down. You then want to rewet and pull the material down to the lowest point on the side of the fender and then squeegee the rest of the piece.
SEE EXAMPLE TWO (http://www.rockblocker.com/site_images/fender.jpg)
Make sure you look at the hood piece before install. You want to know where the end points and the portion that will wrap under the hood are located. There should be a notch where this is.
Lay the hood piece like it should go on the car. Then take the upper portion of the backing paper and flip it over so the hood is upside down on the car. Remove the backing paper and wet the material thoroughly and the surface of the car. (do not lay the material back on the backing paper once removed) You then want to lay the piece as flat as you on the car in the correct position. Whichever side is closest to the fender that is where you start. Take the piece and align the hood with the fender. Make sure you aligned for the correct amount of wrap.
Now you will move the material over to the other side by carefully lifting the material up and making it flat in the air and laying across the hood while checking the line up points in-between. SEE EXAMPLE THREE (http://www.rockblocker.com/site_images/hood2.jpg) After you get the two ends tacked you then need to wet the area in-between thoroughly. SEE EXAMPLE FOUR (http://www.rockblocker.com/site_images/hood1.jpg) . You will then squeegee through the middle of the piece from top to bottom.
Now you need to squeegee from the center out the sides of the hood. If you feel that it has been awhile you may need to rewet the product without breaking the tacks points you have. Then squeegee through the middle across the hood so now you have two parts and squeegee accordingly. SEE EXAMPLE FIVE (http://www.rockblocker.com/site_images/hood3.jpg).
You will then repeat the other side of the middle of the hood portion.
Now you will need to rewet and probably break your end tacks since it has been awhile and they have been drying out. You will repeat the same steps as the middle of the hood by diving the middle and squeegee up and down. SEE EXAMPLE SIX (http://www.rockblocker.com/site_images/hood4.jpg).
Before you wrap the edges of the product (SEE EXAMPLE SEVEN (http://www.rockblocker.com/site_images/hood5.jpg). Make sure to check the top surfaces of the piece to ensure that there is not large bubbles or debris that needs to be addressed. It is much easier to address these matters before sealing the edge down. The hood wraps much easier underneath when it is drier so you may wait awhile before trying to do so.
Note: Please recognize that these examples will help with some understanding and knowledge of how to apply the material, but it does not apply to all vehicles. In some cases you may have to change your installation techniques and use this as just a guideline.
You never can use to much alcohol. You can lift the film back up if need be but try to do so as quickly as deemed necessary.
The paint protection installation is not an exact science that can be taught in five minutes or on this page. We will try to give you the basic idea of what needs to be done to understand the basics of a proper installation.
Prepping the surface of the paint is one of the most important processes that needs to be done well. If you miss anything that could cause problems during the installation or blemishes in the finished product. Optimum temperature for installation is between 60-80 degrees.
Lets start with the basic and easier pieces first
Most mirrors have a flat surface to them usually. You want to start from the inside of the mirror closest to the car for you starting point. After tacking that point you then want to stretch the piece to the outside point to give and allow the material to be flat across the face of the mirror. SEE EXAMPLE ONE (http://www.rockblocker.com/site_images/mirror1.jpg) . Once that is achieved then you want to squeegee the flat surface in nice consistent rows to insure there are no bubbles left behind. When it comes to the edges you need to increase your pressure of the squeegee and slow down the speed to get the material to lay down evenly. If the edges keep popping up you can rewet and try again.
Now that wasnt so bad, right?
When it comes to the fenders you should try in most cases to install them before the hood. That way you know where to line up the hood piece when the time comes. Make sure to tack the front most corner by the hood and the headlight first, then tack your second point at the back of the fender by the hood. Then you squeegee that section you have just tacked down. You then want to rewet and pull the material down to the lowest point on the side of the fender and then squeegee the rest of the piece.
SEE EXAMPLE TWO (http://www.rockblocker.com/site_images/fender.jpg)
Make sure you look at the hood piece before install. You want to know where the end points and the portion that will wrap under the hood are located. There should be a notch where this is.
Lay the hood piece like it should go on the car. Then take the upper portion of the backing paper and flip it over so the hood is upside down on the car. Remove the backing paper and wet the material thoroughly and the surface of the car. (do not lay the material back on the backing paper once removed) You then want to lay the piece as flat as you on the car in the correct position. Whichever side is closest to the fender that is where you start. Take the piece and align the hood with the fender. Make sure you aligned for the correct amount of wrap.
Now you will move the material over to the other side by carefully lifting the material up and making it flat in the air and laying across the hood while checking the line up points in-between. SEE EXAMPLE THREE (http://www.rockblocker.com/site_images/hood2.jpg) After you get the two ends tacked you then need to wet the area in-between thoroughly. SEE EXAMPLE FOUR (http://www.rockblocker.com/site_images/hood1.jpg) . You will then squeegee through the middle of the piece from top to bottom.
Now you need to squeegee from the center out the sides of the hood. If you feel that it has been awhile you may need to rewet the product without breaking the tacks points you have. Then squeegee through the middle across the hood so now you have two parts and squeegee accordingly. SEE EXAMPLE FIVE (http://www.rockblocker.com/site_images/hood3.jpg).
You will then repeat the other side of the middle of the hood portion.
Now you will need to rewet and probably break your end tacks since it has been awhile and they have been drying out. You will repeat the same steps as the middle of the hood by diving the middle and squeegee up and down. SEE EXAMPLE SIX (http://www.rockblocker.com/site_images/hood4.jpg).
Before you wrap the edges of the product (SEE EXAMPLE SEVEN (http://www.rockblocker.com/site_images/hood5.jpg). Make sure to check the top surfaces of the piece to ensure that there is not large bubbles or debris that needs to be addressed. It is much easier to address these matters before sealing the edge down. The hood wraps much easier underneath when it is drier so you may wait awhile before trying to do so.
Note: Please recognize that these examples will help with some understanding and knowledge of how to apply the material, but it does not apply to all vehicles. In some cases you may have to change your installation techniques and use this as just a guideline.
You never can use to much alcohol. You can lift the film back up if need be but try to do so as quickly as deemed necessary.