A wrap installer's toolkit is as personal as the car they drive. While you'll be sure to keep on hand your tried-and-true favorites, don't pass up on these 30 essentials to help you get the job done right.
Tapes & Magnets
3M Painters Tape 1"
Matte painters tape for holding graphics in place when measuring. Removes easily, no residue.
Masking Tape: 1”, 2”
Use for masking large areas like headlights, mirrors, etc. It won't damage the paint and vinyl doesn't stick well to it so it will come off easily. Easy to remove.
3M Double-Sided Tape
Extremely sticky double-sided tape perfect for reapplying car emblems and letters with strong hold.
Avery Super Strong Magnets
Strong magnets to hold graphics in place before applying. Keep many on hand and use when you need extra hands.
Knives & Cutters
Avery Snitty Vinyl Cutter
A mini slitting tool for cutting vinyl against cars without worry about damaging the paint.
Olfa SVR-2 Auto-lock cutter with snap-off blades for fast cutting and rapid blade change.
Avery Metal Retractable Knife #Z1062 with 30 degree angled break-away blades.
Olfa Snap-Off Replacement Blades
10 pack replacement blades with total of 130 cutting edges to keep blades sharp as you go.
Excel Grip-On Knife
Sharp angled blade with comfortable soft grip handle for detailed trimming.
Olfa Stainless Steel Scissor
Precision cut vinyl before applying and use to cut liner when applying vinyl.
3M Knifeless Tape
Cutting tape – lay down under the vinyl to avoid the risk of cutting the paint.
Squeegees & Rollers
RollePro Vinyl Application Roller
Surface roller gets into rivets and channels to give graphics a tight fit.
3m Channel Applicator Roller
Small hand held channel applicator tool helps conform heated film into difficult grooves and channels.
Large hand held channel applicator tool saves installer significant time adhering graphics in channels.
Rivet Brush
GAP 1-1/2" Rivet Brush aids in applying pressure sensitive materials to rivets and compound curves.
GAP 3" Rivet Brush helps apply graphics to large vehicles and gets into rivets and channels.
Assorted Squeegees
Avery Red Felt-Edge Squeegee Pro Flexible (Soft) – a softer and more flexible squeegee with one felt side; an excellent choice for curved applications.
Avery Blue Felt-Edge Squeegee Pro (Medium) – a medium flex squeegee with one felt side for flat or slightly curved surfaces.
Avery White Felt-Edge Squeegee (Stiff) – a rigid squeegee designed for flat application of thick and rigid high-performance products.
The Gold Applicator squeegee from 3M is nylon reinforced to keep its edge and last longer than ordinary squeegees.
Mini S&F Supplies Squeegee Felt Grey Hard 1''
Mini S&F Supplies Squeegee White Soft 1.75''
Avery FleXtreme Squeegees
A micro-squeegee/tucking tool specifically designed for tucking vinyl into narrow curves and edges. Set includes 2 sticks: 1 blue (harder) and 1 red (softer) to ensure seamless application.
Heat Apply Tools
Bernzomatic
Welding torch for post heat and to conform vinyl around curves, edges, and rivets.
Propane for welding torch and to heat vinyl for wrap applications for better conformability.
Steinel Heat Gun
Steinel electric heat gun delivers 1,600 watts of power and regulates temperature between 120 to 1,150°F. Easy to operate and control with a toggle and a convenient LCD display.
Miscellaneous Tools
Wrap Tool Pouch
A wrap tool pouch to hold your most essential tools for quick and easy access.
Lidco Chizler Vinyl Removal Tool
An invaluable tool for removing vinyl and applying vinyl in tight corners. Thumb spot in center, one side low profile, one side flat, and one side slightly beveled with rolled edges.
G-Force Locking Tape Measure 25'
Tape measure for measuring graphics.
Stabilo Pencils
Marking pencils for placement. Water-based pencil is washable without leaving marks on surface.
Avery Air Release Pen
A clickable pen with a sharp retractable pin to keep handy and use to release trapped air bubbles during application.
Weeding Tool
Curved pointed tip weeding tool with a non-slip yellow polyvinyl handle. Handy to weed out small vinyl bits.
Excel Curved Point Tweezers
Sharp curved point tweezer to help grab and remove excess vinyl.
Edge Seal It Pen
Clear sealer pen with easy applicator. Compatible with all vinyls and seals edges to prevent against damage from washing, polishing, and excessive physical contact.
Avery Anti-Static Application Gloves
Soft, seamless anti-static cotton glove that helps smooth graphics over the application surface and into curves and recesses.
44-Roll Vinyl Rack
Free Standing Vinyl Floor Rack holds 44 rolls and keeps vinyl off the ground and easily accessible during wrapping.
Fluids
Rapid Prep Application Fluid
Use for pre-cleaning and removing contaminants for a successful application.
Rapid Remover
Use to remove decals and glue residue prior to application.
Rapid Tac II Extreme Temperature Application Fluid
Easy repositioning of graphics is now possible with Rapid Tac application fluid. Avoid bubbles and install faster, now for specialty films and applications in cold weather.
Avery Supreme Wrap Sealant
Finish off your wrap with Avery Supreme Wrap Sealant, which provides a protective layer on car wraps. Wraps will be much easier to clean from dirt, bird droppings and tree sap.
Conclusion
Although an extensive list, this is but only a fraction of tools you'll need to keep in your wrap installer toolkit, and keep replenishing over time. You may find one of these items to be the perfect tool, or your favorite is not on this list. More than the tools in your hands is the skills needed to wrap with precision. But of course, the tools don't hurt.
Tell us what we're missing, or what specialty tools you have in your toolkit that you just can't live without. Reach out to us at 718-399-3333 or email [email protected]. We love hearing from you!
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