The Avery/Mutoh School of Wrap held at Sign Warehouse in Denison, TX is in the bag.   There were 16 people who took the 2-day workshop.   It was definitely one of the toastier workshops as there was a heat wave going on (I think for both days it was 110 degrees outside).  Even though it was warm, the Avery 1005 Supercast was super easy to apply which amazed the attendees.   They were expecting the film to grab the vehicle but they could easily reposition the film.  This is a huge advantage for car wrapping, especially in places like Texas.  During the workshop the students worked on a conversion van, two sedans and they completely wrapped a Miata in leopard print.  Thanks to Deanna from Sign Warehouse for providing the Miata and the ice cream birthday cake (my birthday was on Aug. 3).

The advanced class for the December Mutoh School of Wrap workshop was a true pleasure to teach.  All the students had taken the 2-day Basic/Intermediate workshop so we could really build on my Universal Graphic Installation System.  I was truly amazed at quickly the students picked up all the tips and tricks, especially when we got to bumpers and doorhandles.  The students really understood the concept that with a fluid system wrapping a bumper is no different than wrapping a hood.  Sometimes I felt like Yoda but they understood that with sound technique and the right approach all vehicles become the same which leads to high standards of quality, durability and efficiency.

I think one big factor that helped the learning process was the Avery 1005 Supercast with 1360 1.3mm overlam.  The low tack and supreme flexibility of the Supercast really gives installers a sense of confidence and flow.  Over the course of 3 days the students plowed through 150 yards of film, by far the most for a School of Wrap workshop.  This is a testament to how hard the students worked.  Thanks to everyone at Mutoh for all their help and for a great 2010 School of Wrap.  I'm really looking forward to next year which will have more dates.

The Basic/Intermediate School of Wrap workshop was a big success.   All the students were very eager to learn which always makes for a great 2-days.  Since we were at Mutoh headquarters, the students got a demonstration of the Mutoh products from Randy Anderson.  Randy answered lots of questions and provided some valuable insight that is always a plus for the workshop.  The students worked with Avery's 1005 Supercast and 1360 1.3mm gloss overlam.  The graphics were printed by a Mutoh Valuejet.  As with all the Basic/Intermediate workshops they wrapped a car completely.  In this case, it was Randy's car and it came out great.  Thanks to everyone at Mutoh for all their help for 2010, especially Randy Anderson and Michelle Pugh.  Another thank your to NT Cutter, Milwaukee, and Benzomatic for providing tools for all the classes.  The new schedule for 2011 I hope will be announced this week.  Here are the pics:

Hard at Work

Brian Phipps General Manager striking a pose:

Randy's finished car:

More work:

Yesterday I wrapped two scooters.  Normally, wrapping a scooter makes me want to jump out the nearest window or quit wrapping and become a garbage man.  However, times are different.  The film I used was Avery's 1005 Supercast along with then new Supercast overlam.  What a big, big difference.  For lack of a better word, the film just kind of breathed onto the application surface.  What I mean by this is that I used very little heat on the entire wrap.  Instead, I used very subtle adjustments when I pulled on the film.  The film just kind of knew where I wanted it to go and went there.  I had used this combination of film/overlam before but it was on a fairly easy car.  To use this combination on something as curvy and challenging as the scooters, well, I have to hand it to Avery.  Thanks to Paul Roba from Avery for the guidance and hook up.  I look forward to more wraps with this film, even on scooters.

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.

I then worked the Mutoh booth in the NBM Long Beach show.

After getting a Sunday off I then taught the Mutoh School of Wrap that was hosted by Graphics One in Burbank.  Monday and Tuesday was the Basic/Intermediate and on Wednesday the Advanced.

Thursday morning I flew to Reno to teach a 2-day private workshop for Sierra Custom Signs.

Friday I flew back to LA to hang out with family then Saturday I returned to my ladies back in Amsterdam.  Definitely a high energy run but well worth it.  It was nice to meet so many people eager to learn the art of wrapping.  Next workshops coming up are at Squeezy on September 2  and the Mutoh School of Wrap at Avery Headquarters in October.  For more information on that workshop go to:  www.mutohschoolofwrap.com.

Yesterday was the last day of demos I did for Mutoh in their booth at the NBM Long Beach show.  Over the three days I wrapped a boat using Avery's 1005 Supercast with 1.3mm overlam.  The graphics were printed brilliantly with a Mutoh Valuejet.  This was only the second time I wrapped a boat so it was nice to get some practice in.  One of the aspects of the 1005 Supercast that I like so much is the initial low tack.  This enables me to install something as long and awkward as the side of a boat by myself.  The reason for this is that I can take the entire backing paper off and install at my own pace.  A special thanks to all of those at Mutoh, especially Brian Phipps, for all their help during the show and to Ron Winter from Avery and Todd LaBrie from Carwraps for all their input.  Next show on tap is SGIA in Vegas in October.  For that show I will be wrapping Rusty Wallace's race car in Mutoh's booth.  Exciting stuff so be sure to come on by.

movie clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRUtqgW6Sr8

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.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrURAasR6Q8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-VM_ngWx-lg