We want you to have the best experience when using Aura so we compiled tips from our learnings running a wrap shop.
Click here for the installation guide video playlist.

Ordering

Allow yourself enough time to receive and inspect the vinyl prior to the appointment date. When you receive the box, open it and make sure everything looks correct in terms of the color of the wrap and any additional footage. Contact our support if there appears to be an issue to provide a picture of the box and the contents inside, and for obvious reasons do not proceed with install until you've contacted us.

Be aware that some light satin/matte colors may be very slightly transparent which can become noticeable if you do not have a consistent body color (eg: bondo/primered body work)

Prior to placing the order, be sure you've ordered the correct amount. Standard rolls are 58 feet which is enough to do coupes, Teslas, most sedans, and smaller SUVs. You have the option of purchasing an additional 10 or 20 foot cut during the order process. It is recommended to order 10 feet more than your measurements to allow for mistakes or future repairs. Once the order is shipped, there is a risk that additional footage ordered later may be from a different batch and have a slight difference in color. Additionally, custom sized cut orders take about a week to ship.

Storing

Keep vinyl rolled tightly at all times. PET (plastic) backing such as our Ultra Gloss series WILL slightly separate from the vinyl causing an effect called tunneling if it is not kept tight. This can create a visible imperfection in the vinyl that isn't fixable. This can also happen with paper backing, so it's best to always keep it rolled tight.

Unapplied films should be stored between 70-80° F (21-26 C) horizontally in the box free from excessive dust and out of direct sunlight. Storing the vinyl in cold, hot, or humid temperatures outside of this range for long periods of time can cause adhesive failure.

Full rolls of vinyl in their original packaging can be stored for up to 1 year in the conditions described above. Partial cuts of vinyl should be used within 3 months. Partial cuts of PPF should be used within 30 days to avoid tunneling.

Measuring + Laying

Make sure your installation temperature is in the range of 70-80° F (21-26 C). As with all vinyl, if it is too cold or too hot the material is more difficult to work with. Never work in direct sunlight. High humidity will make installation more challenging by making the adhesive tackier. We recommend running a dehumidifier in your work area if you are experiencing high humidity.

Our material is not directional, so you do not need to worry about aligning each panel during installation. The height of the roll is 1.52 meters / 4.985 feet / 59.6 inches.

We recommend cutting off the first 12" of the roll and setting it aside for use on door handles or other small items. The tape holding the roll tight may leave a mark on films without a cap sheet.

We created a video showing techniques such as fender S-cuts, cutting the entire side of a vehicle at once, and how to get additional pieces from the negative space in panels.

Prior to laying a panel, use our specially designed Tack Reducer by misting the panel and wiping it off after 30 seconds. Use it only in the middle of panels and do not get it on edges. If you do get it somewhere undesired, you can wipe it off with alcohol. The Tack Reducer will make the vinyl extremely easy to reposition until you are ready to squeegee in to its final position and post heat. 

Always apply masking tape to neighboring panels where excess vinyl may contact. Vinyl has a strong bond to itself, and removing excess without using masking tape can lead to problems like lifting of underlying panels or vinyl damage.

Never use acetone or other corrosive chemicals during the prep process as they can corrode the adhesive.

Ultra Gloss material has a perfect finish on the roll, making any adhesive distortion during installation visible as glue lines. Tack Reducer provides a margin for error by preventing full adhesive bonding, allowing for repositioning without disrupting the adhesive pattern.

When laying panels we recommend relaxing the material and holding just enough tension to remove wrinkles without stretching. In cases where stretching is absolutely necessary, it is better to stretch over a larger area instead of a small localized area. Use heat on the largest, flattest part of the stretch as opposed to where you will be trimming an edge. Feed the material into recesses and never bridge small or sharp recesses.

Probond adhesive promoter is recommended for commercial vehicles, unpainted surfaces, sharp recesses, and in areas where you are not confident in avoiding overstretch.

Use a squeegee with a suede buffer strip, squeegee lube (alternatively soapy water, but never wax spray), and medium pressure to apply. Keeping the cap sheet on when squeegeeing will prevent micro-scratches on gloss vinyl, however doing so will make installation more difficult. If you remove the cap sheet and get micro-scratches on gloss vinyl you can use a polishing compound and a mechanical polisher on a low setting to remove them.

We recommend only using a heat gun and avoiding torches during installation. Expert installers may opt for a torch, but be aware that satin/matte material may get gloss spots from the concentrated high temperatures of the torch. A heat gun is always the safest for installation.

Cutting

Before cutting, make sure you've heated with a heat gun! When cutting between panels, be sure to cut along the opposite end of the gap so the vinyl can fold into the gap. This will make sure your cuts look clean and avoid the dreaded short cut.

We recommend fully wrapping the material around all edges prior to cutting to ensure the adhesive has a good area of contact.

Post Heating

It's critical to post heat, especially on every edge and seam. This fuses the adhesive to the surface. Not post heating means the seam can separate when exposed to the sun. The best method for post heating is taking a heat gun (never a torch!) and moving along the seam or edge line at a rate of 2 inches per second. You can verify by using a laser temperature gun and ensuring the vinyl is getting to 200 degrees F. The best practice is to post heat every seam and edge when you finish a panel and again doing the entire car as a whole at the end.

Sun Curing

Before delivering the vehicle to your customer (or yourself!), put the vehicle in a warm, sunny spot outside for a few hours and check on it every 30 minutes. This will expose any areas that were not properly post heated and will allow you to correct them while they are lifting as opposed to complete failure.

Long-term Care

It is critical to properly maintain your wrap in order to ensure its longevity and maintain your warranty. Please read the care instructions carefully and follow it as a guide for your wrap maintenance.