I received a question about buying a white factory gyro and then have it "wrapped" with a Vinyl color instead of painting it.

Here are my thoughts (Automotive use)

--I have never done (modern wraps) so keep that in mind
--a "wrap" is excellent for company logos on vehicles
--it is faster and cheaper than a company paying a painter to do it
--it can be removed if the company sells the vehicle later
--it is a good way to dress up a leased vehicle and remove it when lease is finished
--it can be applied to windows and trim ... places paint could not be used
--it has an unlimited selection of colors and artwork

--It is durable and long lasting
--especially the 3M brand ... everything 3M makes is good
--Decals and custom striping is the same thing , only smaller areas
--the 1970's automotive woodgrain on cars was the same idea .. durable & lasted as long as the car


As far as Gyro's ..

--Should work just fine , the hard part is compound curves and indentations
--Probably not "cheaper" than paint ... car wraps easily go for $2000 to $4500
--keep in mind several multi colored stripes , or a partial wrap on a white fuselage could look just as snazzy and maybe cost less

My personal thoughts ... I have worked with all kinds of Decalcomania during my years in Autobody and it was my least favorite task .... lots can go wrong .... I hated the woodgrain appliques on the big 1970's station wagons .... I have ruined more than one $800 Firebird Hood decal (Eagle) .... if you dont lay it perfect the first time you are screwed.

But that is just me .... I think the guys who do modern wraps are magicians . It appears they have it down to a science. If I had a commercial vehicle today , that is how I would apply my company colors

And finally .... if the gyro fuselage has a fiberglass gelcoat finish from the factory .... that is about the toughest finish known to man. Any paints or decals would never be quite as durable as the factory gelcoat color.

That's all I know and it is not very much. I look forward to everybody's input on this topic ... I think it could be the way of the future .... especially if they can bring the prices down


..

.

Impressive artwork ... unlimited choices

.

.

Farmer Jim needs a rig like this

Seeing that he is married to a famous aviatrix now

Haaa!!!

You guys are a hoot !!!

Trouble is it probably cost over $10 grand .... would be interesting to get some price quotes .... especially for gyros ... I can foresee painting becoming a thing of the past.


...

We are going into the vehicle wrapping business.
It would really make sense for a gyro.
I have seen the abuse they take that paint couldn't withstand.
Hopefully this will be a good business move!
Fingers crossed.

I think you are correct Buddy!
Pointed out things I hadn't thought of too so thank you for that I love to learn!

Sounds Promising !! Starting with a plain white body, one could add some unique color/highlites/logos, etc ?!

fj

The only problems that I see with the vinyl wrap on an aircraft is that if you had a crack propogate under the wrap it would not be seen since the viny won't crack like paint will.
Other than putting us airbrush, paint, and lettering guys out of business,

In 1985 I lettered 2 race cars for Bob Glidden, I had over 100 hours of work, now days they just print everything and it can be installed in a day.

Get comfortable with using a heat gun too, it will be your best freind!

I was told that Scott Lewis's two place Dominator with the American flag theme is wrapped.

If it is ... it sure looks good .... Stan has some pictures here

http://www.rotaryforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=29620

Anyone know Scott ? ..... find out how much it cost and who did it for him ?

.

Every once in a while an unusual color combination turns out looking unusually good

Not sure if this is painted artwork or vinyl wrap ... but sure looks good !!!

Especially for an R44

.

I believe that one was airbrushed by Mike Lavellee.
He is a very prominent airbrush artist. http://www.killerpaint.com/

Mike Lavelle man, can he do flames

cool! thanks scott, beautiful job on this link, here we call this real flame its like 3d, i have a friend airbrush guy that made this on my brother jeep around 8years ago, i cant copy and past any of this website pic, but if you go to the gallery, in watercraft-aircraft the pic 24 left to right, the good looking painter girl is sitting on the top of the boat direct on the basecoat and make real flame with is cardboard patern and airbrush, you can see the the yellow overspray on is flame cardboard pattern. http://www.killerpaint.com/water.html picture 24

Martin, what type of computer do you use? If windows, to take a screen shot, open the website and have the picture on the screen, press 'print scrn' button (next to F12) then open paint, press ctrl & V, the page will appear in paint, then crop the image using paint and save as a JPG I use it all the time.... not sure for mac or other OS or phones?

Just think of doing flames with the color changing paint. . Moving flames. .

Or just be done with it and pour gas on it and light it

Hillbilly, is a tail strike on an Enstrom (like your brother bought) usually local damage or did it damage the structure as well? Sounds like a good deal tho Can you just go into a dealer and buy new parts for one of those? Or do you have to have it made?

What year is it from?

One blade , T/R drive shaft and sheet metal, He's already has the gear boxes out and NDT started (Runout good gear magna-flux check in process)

He has a complete supply of parts ,Should take only (two months) To get back in the air, He has no room at his hangar so it will be going in mine.

its real cool hillberg when you can have a chopper like this for this price and can make it fly, my brother sold is r22 after 4year to expensive here, it cost double+ here than other side the border to play or have your own chopper, he rent a 44and fly less hours to save some cost

Curves arent a problem....look at this angel getting a wrap. Protects the original paint too. Gawd I love this car

Poor you, having to store that I bet when no one can find you.... you will be sitting in it in your hanger making helicopter noises