Vinyl Wraps for display aircraft?

[Scott Rose]

I was checking out the February issue of Flypast and noted that F-84F Thunderstreak 51-9514 was refurbished and returned to it's perch. The line that snagged my attention however was this one.

The airframe has been inspected and cleaned, and a new protective vinyl wrap applied to protect it from the harsh US Midwest weather conditions.

I was curious about what this vinyl wrap entailed? I know of there automotive uses but have not previously known of there use in static display aircraft.
Does anybody know any information about this process? Such as...
- Is the vinyl clear and applied over a paint scheme?
- Is the vinyl printed with the scheme and applied in lieu of a paintjob?
- What is the longevity of this process? For automotive use the wraps last 3-5 years.

Does anybody know of this use in another other aircraft static display?

Are wraps used on airworthy aircraft?

[ChrisK48]

I don't know anything about the process, but these guys do wraps for airworthy aircraft.

http://www.aircraftwraps.com/

[JohnB]

Since they do NASCAR racers, the stuff must be good at well over 100 mph. I don't know why they wouldn't work for subsonic flying aircraft.

[JimH]

The Aeroshell Aerobatic team has a vinyl graphic applied to their props.

Jim

[Kyleb]

Since they do NASCAR racers, the stuff must be good at well over 100 mph. I don't know why they wouldn't work for subsonic flying aircraft.

The checkerboard on my airplane's tail (at least the black portion) has been on there for 15 years and is holding up fine, as are the 1/2" black stripes down both sides of the airplane. Of course, the airplane is hangared, which helps tremendously.

[Tulio]

Not 100% sure, but I recall reading several years ago, that some airliners in Europe had vinyl wrap markings applied.

Saludos,


Tulio

[Duggy009]

An old story!!

[m50a1ontos]

The A-4 in the traffic circle at China Lake is wrapped. So far it appears to be holding up well.

[Kyleb]

The key (allegedly) is to put down a robust epoxy primer, then wrap. That provides a real moisture barrier. Water wicks under vinyl and has a hard time escaping, leading to corrosion.

[arod138]

the F-4 at Joe Kittinger Park in Orlando is a wrap

[PropsRule]

Many airlines use vinyl for their logos on the vertical stabilizer, especially charter airlines whose airplanes may fly for more than one operator in the space of a year.

The vinyl usually peels off easily with the use of a common heat gun.

[Fouga23]

Belgian AF uses wraps for their F-16 special tails

[pontiac58]

We have vinyl wraps on some of our reefer trailers at work. We are having corrosion issues around the rivets. Any where the vinyl isn't stuck right to the aluminum the corrosion is growing. These aren't flush mount rivets so the vinyl is pushed away from the sheet at every rivet. If they were flush and like someone else said about putting a good coat of primer down to make everything flat, the vinyl may be ok. Any place the vinyl is up, it holds moisture and we all now what moister does to aluminum. I just took pics of the corrosion, if anyone whats to see it and can host the pic ill send it too you.

I also work on a dirt modified stock car and the body is wrap. When they wrap the bends or angles, they use heat to get the vinyl to stretch to the contours. After about a month or so the vinyl starts to shrink back and pulls off of the bend and angles and water gets trapped in there. We have seen corrosion on the body panel on the car also.

If it was my plane and it never saw weather i wouldn't mind a wrap, but something like a gate guard that lives in the elements, i would be against it. Just from my experience with it.

[Scott Rose]

Thanks everyone. This was a new co9ncept for me and your feedback has given me a much broader understanding of the subject. I appreciate the help.

[Jerry O'Neill]

I'm getting a Tatum Channing vinyl body wrap next week. Do you think it'll help?