Xantia Vinyl wrapping

[Andy F]

My Xantia's lacquer is getting worse every i look at it. A respray is probably a bit costly so was thinking about getting it vinyl wrapped. Has anyone got any experience of this? Thinking cost, preparation etc.

Is the wrap thick enough to hide where the lacquer has peeled or would I need to scrape off the remaining lacquer (probably wont take long!) so as not to have any lines/lumps?

It is due an MOT in August and although it is on 220,000 it drives superbly still so if it passes I might treat it. Last year it only failed on the side indicators not being orange enough!

Andy

[Stickyfinger]

A jet washer normally removes it well

Some local edge sanding may be needed to remove the hard edge but I think it would be very hard to see and avoid the problem of the wrap pulling the remaining lacquer off whilst fitting (which involves lifting are repositioning quite often).

I think a few test scraps of wrap may be a good thing to test the grip of any remaining gloss coat. The lacquer lifts due to water getting into the colour coat and that then oxidising.

[daviemck2006]

Thats exactly what the problem with Gabby was and why I am currently painting it. I couldnt justify or afford spending the anount needed for a respray, or a full body wrap. I removed wuite a bit of loose lacquer in 5 minutes with a power hose, and an orbital sander made short work of fearhering the edges of the sound lacquer on the wing and doors. I am going to use tekaloid paint applied with a roller, then im going to wet sand it with about 1500 grade wet and dry, then buff it. Im hoping to get a reasonable finish with that. I should have the paint on next week then leave it a couple of weeks to harden fully before smoothing it

[Stickyfinger]

Do not go from 1500 to polish Dave, go with 1500/3000/6000 3M Trizact on a hand-sized DA with good wetting all the time. You will save loads of time and effort.
Never use a resin polish before the final polishing is spot on or you will just fill the scratches (until you wash it next time)

[daviemck2006]

I may get it professionally mopped after I rub it down, I won't make up my mind for a few weeks yet Alasdair.

[Quackers]

What do you class as expensive for a re-spray? I paid £1500 to get my Xantia Activa re-sprayed last year.

[Andy F]

Keep us posted on how that turns out Dave.

Quackers, that seems very reasonable, did you do the prep yourself? The prices for both wrapping and respray seem vary wildly.

This is if course all dependant on how the Mot goes in August!

[Quackers]

Quackers, that seems very reasonable, did you do the prep yourself? The prices for both wrapping and respray seem vary wildly.

No prep, i dropped it off at the bodyshop with dents, scratches, lots of lacquer peel and picked it up a week later looking amazing. I have a blog for my Xantia https://www.frenchcarforum.co.uk/forum/ ... 2&start=30 if you go to page 3 you can see a few pics of it in the garage and how bad it was, and then on page 5 a recent photo of how great she now looks.

[old'uns]

vinyl wrap will show the edges, imperfections in lacquer more than they are now.
if the loose lacquer isn't removed then it will still lift anyway once the suns heat gets to it, expanding air etc....

[daviemck2006]

I didn't even price a respray. Even 1500, which I think would be reasonable for one couldn't be justified for me on a £250 20 year old xantia 1.9td sensation with 220000 miles on it.

[chinkostu]

£1500 is incredibly reasonable for a respray. Wrapping won't be far off that.

I'll have to get mine done soon as the roof is completely laquer free now....

[daviemck2006]

You will all be waiting to see how mine turns out. My costs so far less than 200 quid, and won’t be much more. It would have been finished ages ago if I didn’t have health issues. Everything is a slow process for me nowadays

[momag46]

All these Xantias with laquer peeling - could they all be orangey/red by any chance?

Maurice

[andy5]

All these Xantias with laquer peeling - could they all be orangey/red by any chance?

Maurice

No. Mine is green. Peeling mostly on rear spoiler so far. And the bonnet looks a bit dull under the lacquer, in the hotter areas

[daviemck2006]

Mine was dante red which is a metallic darker red. The nicest colour in good condition, in my opinion, but bloody awful oncebthe lacquer puul has set in, and one of the worst colours for it. I think mine was about 5 different colours due to peeling and fading before it was tubbed down!