JJ's 818s Build

[TouchStone]

Man that's great info!

So far I believe just acetone will do the trick, after the search I did. Of course doing more will not kill anyone and you'll more than certain of the positive effects.

I thought sanding would remove that damn wax! I hope it's removeable after sanding, with chemicals... I have quite some spots already sanded due to gel coat fixes.


Did you need to use 3M Primer 94 on tight edges and curves?

I did not use primer, I don't think it's necessary on the external surface. I thought it would be best used on the body filler. So I did a peel test and when removing vinyl that had been applied over body filler and set for over a day the wrap was very hard to remove and you could even see that it has lifted a very thin layer of the filler material. What I am most concerned about is the adhesion to the back surface of the panel. I did a lot less work on the back side, lightly sanded to 80 grit and spray painted with undercoating. I don't think my wrap is going to stick very long to this surface so I'm planning on adding plastic edge strips and/or the primer to the back side. If someone has a better idea I'd like to know about it.

[Frank818]

I did not use primer, I don't think it's necessary on the external surface. I thought it would be best used on the body filler. So I did a peel test and when removing vinyl that had been applied over body filler and set for over a day the wrap was very hard to remove and you could even see that it has lifted a very thin layer of the filler material. What I am most concerned about is the adhesion to the back surface of the panel. I did a lot less work on the back side, lightly sanded to 80 grit and spray painted with undercoating. I don't think my wrap is going to stick very long to this surface so I'm planning on adding plastic edge strips and/or the primer to the back side. If someone has a better idea I'd like to know about it.

Well 3M 94 Primer is mostly used on sharp edges, not sure people use it for a full surface and body panels primer. It helps the wrap keeping its sharp turnaround like on hood edges. Then it would probably do a good job to hold the wrap in the inside surface of the panels. I didn't think about that but now you mention it, I think I'll get a pint of that primer and use it on the inside at least. I believe it would help on some edges of the nose insert, louvers' cut-outs and maybe the bottom outwards of the front fenders (new nose style). Just for the inside panels I think it's worth trying.

Tna again!

[flynntuna]

Cleaning wax and other contaminants off the body is nessasary before doing any sanding, otherwise those contaminants will be ground into the surface making it harder to get out.

http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/archi...hp/t-7602.html

[redfogo]

That vinyl is looking great! I wish I could get the hang of it. Everything I have tried in the past ended in vinyl disaster lol. Keep of the good work its looking amazing

[RetroRacing]

Great job!!

[TouchStone]

Wrapped the hood tonight. Unfortunately I made a mistake right at the end. Lesson learned is to not rush at the end and to not stretch the material too much. I may be able to leave it as is since I have other plans for that area. I have it temporarily patched in the final picture.

[Frank818]

Really looking nice! And it's your 1st wrap!

Was the hood easier than any other panels so far (apart from doors)?

[flynntuna]

Looks great, it'll look good in the sun.

[TouchStone]

Was the hood easier than any other panels so far (apart from doors)?

The hood was about as difficult as the front fenders except for the air outlet area. I'm worried about the radiator heat causing the inside corners of the hood to peel off since I stretched the film quite a bit. I think I'm going to cut out the vinyl in those corners so I can apply new material without stretch.

[Frank818]

Surprising the hood was that difficult.

Maybe you can protect the vinyl with goild foil applied on top? Might prevent heat from doing anything on the inside corners.

[Mechie3]

Nice! Liking the blue.

[dallas_]

Dang, that's really cool. Looking good!

[TouchStone]

Made some more progress

[nkw8181]

sweet!!! looking good

[Frank818]

Really like the black you put around the humps. Very nice little touch to make a good difference!

[TouchStone]

I made a short tutorial on applying vinyl wrap inlays on the 818.
818 Vinyl Wrap Inlay

[Wayne Presley]

Very nice work Josh, I bet Nolan is jealous.

[Frank818]

I totally forgot about these very recessed areas! I guess I need that wired tape.

[nkw8181]

Just a bit Wayne

[TouchStone]

I totally forgot about these very recessed areas! I guess I need that wired tape.

I just ordered my 3rd roll of it.

[Frank818]

You bought rolls of how long?

[TouchStone]

You bought rolls of how long?

50 meter rolls. FYI I did the carbon fiber stripes with part of the first roll awhile ago.

[TouchStone]

I've been done with the vinyl wrap for several weeks now but I haven't reassembled the panels yet as I made a last minute decision to swap out the transmission. I'm having a new gear stack built by "ZF design" with gear ratios 3.166, 1.882, 1.296, .972 and ,738 w/ FD 3.7 and Torsen LSD. I got pictures from them during the build.

[Hindsight]

Very nice! Are those gears stronger than stock?

[TouchStone]

Very nice! Are those gears stronger than stock?

Yes, but only a little.

[UnhipPopano]

As the transmission normally sits at a different angle than when in a Subaru and these are different gears, are they providing an oil level recommendation?

[TouchStone]

As the transmission normally sits at a different angle than when in a Subaru and these are different gears, are they providing an oil level recommendation?

It's the same 5mt case so I plan to use the same amount as before.

[Frank818]

I was wondering where you were at with the wrapping... Still need a big overview picture, though.

You changed gears for what reason? I believe it's not strength, it is for better tuned ratios?

[TouchStone]

I was wondering where you were at with the wrapping... Still need a big overview picture, though.

You changed gears for what reason? I believe it's not strength, it is for better tuned ratios?

I haven't even seen it all together myself. The previous transmission had several bad syncros.

[TouchStone]

Now time to drive!

[Bob_n_Cincy]

Very NICE Josh.
Bob

[dallas_]

Wow, that looks FANTASTIC!

[flynntuna]

That color combo looks great! The racing stripes are a nice touch.

[Mechie3]

The stripes on the front are fantastic!

[Mitch Wright]

The car looks great and love the color combo. Enjoy the ride, I am sure you and the car will get a ton of attention.

[AZPete]

Beautiful. I really like how your stripe incorporates both the hood vents and the engine cover humps.

[turbomacncheese]

Super nice, man. Attention to detail, amazing.

[mikeb75]

very nice finish!

[Hindsight]

Looks very nice! Clean!

[Frank818]

I knew you'd make it with the wrap! The result is just perfect! Enjoy the ride, you are really privileged to have a running legal 818!