Reels | Page 43 | Aura Vinyl

How to Curve Vinyl Wrap on a Pillar
Learn how to curve a straight piece of vinyl wrap onto an A-pillar with heat and a twist-and-roll technique.
This tutorial demonstrates applying vinyl wrap to a curved black vehicle pillar. The video shows an installer wrapping an A-pillar using a straight cut strip of vinyl film.

Pillar Wrapping Technique

To curve the straight piece cleanly around the pillar, apply a small amount of heat to soften the material. Twist and roll the vinyl directly onto the pillar surface so it follows the curve. If wrinkles form along the borders, pick up the film and apply heat to smooth the edges out. Repeat this twist and roll method down the entire pillar until reaching the bottom. If any wrinkles develop during the install, lift the section and apply heat to make the film shrink back flat.

Film Characteristics

Aura Vinyl wrap provides a cast polymer hybrid film constructed with German-made adhesive for easy repositioning and fewer glue lines. The PET-backed finish gives the vinyl a smooth appearance with minimal orange peel during detailed body installations.

FAQ
How do you curve a straight piece of vinyl wrap on a pillar?
Apply a little heat and use a twist and roll motion to feed the material cleanly along the curve.
How do you get wrinkles out of vinyl wrap on a pillar?
Pick up the wrinkled section, apply heat to reset the material, and lay it back down onto the pillar.
Dark Grey Wrap on a Tesla Model 3 Fender
Watch how to position, glass out, and trim dark grey vinyl wrap on a Tesla Model 3 fender.
This tutorial demonstrates dark grey vinyl wrap applied to a 2017 to 2023 Tesla Model 3 front fender.

The demonstration highlights how an installer manages tension and backing paper on a contoured front panel. By breaking the fender into distinct upper and lower sections, the material goes on smoothly without excessive stress.

Fender Wrap Steps
1. Cut the vinyl down to shape, pull the backing from the front edge, and tack down the front side.
2. Pull the backing down, tack the top corner, and cut off the excess backing from the bottom.
3. Lift up the front portion, glass the sheet flat, and work out the entire top section starting from the center.
4. Pick up the bottom section, apply heat, and glass out the entire lower area before squeegeeing.
5. Cut the film down to shape and remove the excess material.
Film Features

Aura Vinyl wrap uses a cast polymer hybrid construction with German-made adhesive to allow repositioning and fewer glue lines. Its PET-backed finish also delivers a flat look with reduced orange peel.

FAQ
How do you glass out vinyl wrap on a fender?
Lift the loose vinyl away from the panel, apply heat to soften the material if needed, and pull it evenly until all wrinkles disappear before squeegeeing.
Where should you start squeegeeing on a Model 3 fender?
Once the top portion is glassed down, start squeegeeing in the center and work out the entire upper section toward the edges.
Why is backing paper removed in sections?
Removing backing paper in stages helps anchor specific corners first and keeps the adhesive from grabbing unwanted panel areas before the film is stretched flat.
Tesla Model S Side Panel Wrap Cutting Tutorial
Learn how to break down and cut side wrap panels on a Tesla Model S without wasting material.
A grey 2021-2024 Tesla Model S serves as the example for cutting down side wrap panels efficiently. The video demonstrates how an installer lays out and divides a continuous sheet of film across the vehicle's side profile to avoid wasting material. The process begins by laying out the entire sheet across the side while ensuring you have three inches of extra material on each side. Because the side skirt and pillar are separate parts that do not connect to the quarter panel, cut those sections off first from the top of the sheet. Next, etch the film where the quarter panel meets the door, and cut directly along the center of that line using the extra space. After removing the quarter panel piece, shift the door material over to create clearance on both sides. Etch the center line where the front and rear doors meet, then cut right down the middle of that etched line. Once the side is completely broken down into these individual sections, the panels are ready for installation. Aura Vinyl vinyl wrap features a cast polymer hybrid construction with German-made adhesive and a PET backing for repositioning and a flatter finish.

FAQ
How much excess vinyl should you leave when laying out side panels?
You should leave three inches of extra material on each side after laying out the full sheet. This margin gives you enough room to cut down the center between adjacent panels.
Which panels should be cut off first from the side sheet?
The side skirt and pillar should be cut off first from the top of the sheet. They are separate from the quarter panel, making them the easiest pieces to remove before breaking down the doors.
Satin mirror wrap on a Tesla Model 3
Learn how to wrap a Tesla Model 3 side mirror cleanly without wrinkles by cutting along the roll direction.
Mirror Wrap Technique

This installation features black material with a satin finish on a 2017-2023 Tesla Model 3 side mirror. The tutorial demonstrates how to apply film smoothly to keep the mirror from wrinkling or pulling back over time.

To achieve clean results, cut the vinyl along the direction of the roll. This technique works directly with the internal tension created by the rolled material. After cutting, place the piece onto a mirror tool and heat it up. Heating the film eliminates its memory so that you can lay it down with minimal tension.

Finishing the Install

Once the piece is set, make your cut. Because the memory has been removed, the film will not move and will keep its shape. To complete the process, work the rest of the material down around the mirror housing and trim it cleanly to shape.

Aura Vinyl films feature a cast polymer hybrid construction with German-made adhesive and a PET-backed finish designed to reduce orange peel.

FAQ
How do you stop vinyl wrap from pulling back on a mirror?
Cut the film in the direction of the roll to work with the material internal tension. Place it on a mirror tool and apply heat to eliminate the memory before laying it down.
Why should you heat the vinyl on a mirror tool?
Heating the material on the tool removes its memory. This allows you to install the film with as little tension as possible so it does not wrinkle or move after trimming.
Grey vinyl wrap on a Tesla Model 3 trunk
Learn how to wrap a Tesla Model 3 trunk in two pieces with downward-facing seams.
This guide demonstrates a grey vinyl wrap installed on a Tesla Model 3 trunk lid. Wrapping a deep trunk lid often requires two sections of material to prevent overstretching. The video shows an installer wrapping the trunk in two pieces to create a clean, hidden overlap.

Trunk Wrapping Steps

When two-piecing a trunk, always start with the bottom piece so the final seam faces downward away from eye level.
1. Apply knifeless tape along the upper portion where the transition occurs.
2. Lay the bottom vinyl piece, heat the material, glass the surface, and squeegee it down.
3. Apply a second line of knifeless tape directly over the first line.
4. Cut through the film using the knifeless tape, pull away excess material, squeegee down the edge, post-heat, and tuck the vinyl.
Film Details

Aura Vinyl vinyl wrap features a PET-backed finish with a cast polymer hybrid build and German adhesive, helping prevent glue lines during repositioning and heat tucking.

FAQ
Why should you start with the bottom piece when wrapping a trunk?
Starting with the bottom piece ensures that the finished seam faces downward. This positioning hides the edge from view for a cleaner finish.
How is knifeless tape used on a two-piece trunk wrap?
Knifeless tape is laid down across the seam area before applying the vinyl. Pulling the filament cuts the film cleanly without using a metal blade on the car.
How to wrap sharp corners with vinyl wrap
Learn how to wrap sharp vehicle corners cleanly using simple heat and trim techniques.
This tutorial demonstrates a dark grey vinyl wrap installed around a vehicle corner. The video shows an installer working through a clean corner wrap using simple workshop techniques.

Step-by-Step Corner Technique

Getting clean corners on body panels is easy when following the correct order of steps:
1. Heat the material up to soften it.
2. Pull the material over the corner and tack it down.
3. Heat the vinyl once more to allow the material to shrink up to the corner.
4. Let the film cool completely before cutting.
5. Extend your blade, cut right underneath the corner, and draw the cut out to the edge.
After making the relief cut, trim away the remaining excess material and tuck the vinyl underneath the panel edge. Following this sequence prevents bunching and produces a clean edge that stays in place.

Film Features

Aura Vinyl vinyl wrap features a PET-backed finish for a flatter look with less orange peel. The cast polymer hybrid film uses German-made adhesive to give pliability, smooth repositioning, and fewer glue lines during installation.

FAQ
How do you wrap a sharp corner with vinyl wrap?
Heat the vinyl, pull it over the corner, and tack it down. Heat it again so it shrinks to the corner, let it cool, cut underneath with an extended blade, and tuck the excess.
Why should you heat vinyl wrap a second time on a corner?
Heating the vinyl a second time allows the stretched film to shrink back tightly against the corner before you cut and tuck it.