I just wrapped up my Opel Vectra for a fresh start in 2012.  The original color of the car was a deep dark blue.  To freshen it up, I used dark blue metallic Avery Supreme Wrapping Film on the sides and bumpers.  I then used 3M 1080 on the hood/roof and on the side molding/side mirrors.  For an extra special touch, I applied Avery concept chrome film to the inside scoop of the door handles (the door handles are factory chrome).   The overcast winter Dutch sky don't do the Avery blue metallic film justice.  I haven't got this many oohs and ahhs over a wrap in a long time.  A new wrap is always a great way to start the year. Everyone should get one.

Right before leaving to the U.S. to teach workshops in New Jersey and Texas I installed 3M Prestige window film on my house.  This Prestige film protects the inside of my home from UV rays, keeps it cool in the summer and warm in the winter.  It was super easy to install and my daughter helped by spraying the soapy water solution (sweet thing).  What I like the most about the Prestige film is that its the only UV film available that doesn't contain metal.  This means that it won't disrupt cell phones and doesn't have the mirror-like appearance from the outside like other UV films.  3M achieves this by using nano technology which I believe they purchased from Mork from Ork (nano nano) when he was visiting earth during the 80's.  Perhaps one of my worst jokes.  That said, the difference has been amazing.  A special thanks to Ruben "the man" van Raam from 3M Netherlands for hooking me up with this film and educating me on its properties.

Last week I installed a full color wrap using IJ180CV3 and 8580 overlam.  Normally, the 8580 overlam is used for IJ380 but I wanted to see how it worked with IJ180.  The reason being is that 8580 is the thinnest, most flexible overlam that 3M has and I am a big fan of thinner films, especially when it comes to vehicles with curves and recessed areas.  The combination worked great.   IJ180CV3 has a lower initial tack than IJ380 which makes the process easier and it was more flexible than the overlam it normally comes with.  Thanks to Ruben van Raam from 3M for the go ahead on the combination and HDV for the work.

Last Friday I wrapped a Porsche with an installer from Squeezy for Jacob's 55th anniversary, a sign maker here in the Netherlands.  Instead of the usual black matte the owner opted to put white matte on - 3M 85 series.  Truthfully, I have never been a big fan of the black matte look (though I love the extra jobs its created).  Yet, the matte white was really spectacular.  It created depth to the vehicle as well as made it look somehow smoother.  It almost made me want to go out and wrap my own car white matte.  Thanks to Neils Landgedijk from Squeezy for the work and 3M for making a fine paint replacement film.

The 3M sponsored Carwrap training at Squeezy on Sept. 6 was a big success.  We have now paired the workshop down to two trainers for 10 people which creates a great flow throughout the day.  All the participants were very active and kept on practicing the techniques until they got them right.  Workshops can be very hit or miss this way so its always refreshing to get an eager group.  As per usual, Ruben van Raam was spot on with his theory training.  Herman and I then talked about recessed areas and how to approach them with different media - in this case it was IJ380 and 85 series.  After lunch Herman talked about cleaning, hardware removals and planning then I did a Speedwrap demo by wrapping the side of a car.  After this, people worked on cutting and installation techniques upstairs while I took different groups downstairs to show how to wrap difficult bumpers - always the thing people want to see most and, why not?  Bumpers are not easy unless a couple of tricks are learned.  Thanks always to Niels Langedijk for setting up the trainings at Squeezy.  The next one is in a week - Basic training.  For the full schedule go to:  www.squeezy.nl.

Yesterday I wrapped this Porsche for a 1 week promotion.  Since the wrap was only on for a week the printer, to make a good profit, used unlaminated calendar film - 3M IJ20.  Is this film meant for a car?  No way.  Is unlaminated calendar film tricky to put on without overstretching?  Of course.   Is this an expensive, extra curvy car?  Clearly.  Yet, the install was tight and I have a lot of confidence that it will stay put for a week.   Why did I agree to something like this?  Well, since moving to Europe I have been exposed to a vast variety of films and vehicles.  In the States, I worked only with 3M IJ180C and Avery 1005 EZ.  These two films were used for 1 week, 1 month, 1 year, or  3 year installs.  Moving to Europe was a challenge for me at first (especially since they don't use air-egress and not even, in this case, Controltac for the IJ20).  Yet, its made me a better installer.   The key for me has been learning about the limits of what all films can and cannot do and incorporating that into my techniques with avoiding overstretching as my foundation.  In fact, I just wrote an article about overstretching for Sign and Digital Graphics magazine.  It comes out in October, I think in time for the SGIA show.  I'll post it when it comes out.

This is an Audi A5 that I wrapped the other day.  I have wrapped a lot of vehicles in black matte this summer but this car for some reason had the coolest transformation.  I used 3M 85 comply black matte and it went on like a dream as usual.  The picture doesn't quite do it justice but the particular shade of black matte is really nice, not too gray but deep black, almost satin.  Thanks as usual to the incorrigible Ruben van Raam for getting me the 85 comply to play with.  The next cool project I have coming up on the horizon is a wrap for Pim Smit, an artist in Belgium.  He is designing a special wrap for one of his cars.  Should be good.

Today I finished teaching the second Basic Training Workshop at Squeezy in the Netherlands which is sponsored by 3M.  There was 10 students and I, along with Herman and Sandra, provided hands-on instruction throughout the day. For the Basic Workshop, Ruben van Raam  from 3M provided theory training about 3M, the properties of the film, how they are made and the different films and uses.  After that I talked about tools and then the students got their hands dirty for the rest of the day.  The main focus for the Basic Workshop is on learning proper fundamentals - how to squeegee, clean, cut, make text straight and problem solve.  This training is a stepping stone to the Car Wrapping workshop taught at Squeezy and for the advanced paint replacement training that begins in November.  The films used for the Basic Training varied widely so as to give the students as much experience as possible - IJ50, IJ70, 85, IJ100, IJ380 and 580 reflective film.

I wrapped another car in matte black this week.  This time it was a super slick Jaguar.  For this wrap, I used the new 3M black matte 85 series with comply that is coming on the market soon.  Up until now its come with only Controltac but it now has Comply which makes it go on super smooth.  The black matte is nice and rich as well with no shining when stretched.  Thanks as always to the dapper Ruben van Raam from 3M for hooking me up with this new film and HDV for the work.  Next up is a black matte motorcycle and a Mercedes.

Yesterday was the first carwrap training at Squeezy and it went very well.  There were 9 students with 3 instructors - Sandra, Herman and myself.  Ruben and Ronald from 3M were there to provide theory training and answer any questions regarding the media.  The facility is just perfect for trainings with lots of mounted doors, a dedicated vehicle for wrapping and a lecture room for video (and for drinking coffee).  I am very happy to be part of this training program.  For more information on these trainings go to my workshop page on this site or www.squeezy.nl.  The media used was 3M's IJ380 and 85 series.