1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

DIY Vinyl Roof

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Accessories and Modifications' started by FranklinS, Jun 2, 2013.

  1. FranklinS

    FranklinS Ach crivens ye scunners!

    Joined:
    Feb 10, 2013
    190
    94
    0
    Location:
    Eugene, OR
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    This thread is for DIY Vinyl roof install technique, material selection, tools. It is related directly to the thread below where people are seeking others locally to meet and greet and install DIY Vinyl roofs. If you are looking to partner up with people go here:

    Vinyl Wrap Party? | PriusChat

    Again this is for DIY only. Not shop experiences, or if you don't think we should, etc.
    I posted a request to keep the other thread I read this question from mrstop, for this I apologize:

    Here is his question :

    "I have been thinking of putting black vinyl on my roof. Any thoughts on matte vs satin vs gloss in regards to durability/ease of maintenance? What brands of vinyl are good?"



     
  2. NorCalPrius2013

    NorCalPrius2013 New Member

    Joined:
    May 30, 2013
    8
    5
    0
    Location:
    Bay Area, CA
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Not my cars, but they are cars of members on the forum that I saw in different threads that might help people make a decision on what best suits their taste/need:

    ucsmfu's car with carbon fiber wrap:
    [​IMG]
    source: What did you do to ur Prius today???? | Page 41 | PriusChat


    prius2010show's car with glossy black vinyl:
    [​IMG]
    source: My new 2012 Prius got a Gloss Black Vinyl Roof Wrap! | PriusChat


    and sfv41901's painted roof:
    [​IMG]
    source: My new 2012 Prius got a Gloss Black Vinyl Roof Wrap! | Page 2 | PriusChat



    I hope that someone can provide a better picture of one with carbon fiber wrap and also one with flat black vinyl
     
    kosi2, patdeezy and FranklinS like this.
  3. FranklinS

    FranklinS Ach crivens ye scunners!

    Joined:
    Feb 10, 2013
    190
    94
    0
    Location:
    Eugene, OR
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    There is also a satin finish which I am thinking about and wrapping over the trunk valance too. The most popular vinyl is 1080 by 3M. Find a lot of it on Ebay.
     
  4. xs650

    xs650 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 2, 2010
    4,539
    1,433
    9
    Location:
    Northern California
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Some of the online places sell small samples for a reasonable price, even if they don't list them it wouldn't hurt to ask.

    Once you get the samples, stick them to something and see how hard it is to make visible scratch and rub marks on the different matte, satin, gloss surfaces.

    From my limited experience and what I have read, 3M seems to be the gold standard for wrap. If you see a vender or two selling 3M for way less than the others, it probably isn't real 3M. I ran into that doing my cars interior.

    I bought my wrap about 2 years ago from metrorestyling on eBay and was happy with their service and their prices were about as good as anyplace actually selling genuine 3M. They carry a variety of 3M wraps and their house brand for about 1/2 the price of the 3M.
     
  5. mrstop

    mrstop PWR Mode

    Joined:
    Jun 22, 2012
    742
    329
    109
    Location:
    Cincinnati, OH
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    I was looking at metrorestyling as well. I was going to pick up one of their mesh grills to protect the radiators and saw they had a good selection and price on wrap.
     
  6. patdeezy

    patdeezy Junior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 1, 2013
    23
    10
    0
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    definitely thinking about wrapping my roof soon... although, for those that have done it, is there any noticeable additional cabin heat?
     
  7. xcuter

    xcuter Active Member

    Joined:
    Apr 27, 2013
    303
    182
    0
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    Can some tell me what size vinyl needed to wrap the roof? I know I can measure myself but my car is 3 blocks away.
     
  8. mrbigh

    mrbigh Prius Absolutum Dominium

    Joined:
    Sep 6, 2005
    3,686
    699
    2
    Location:
    Long Island, NY
    Vehicle:
    Other Electric Vehicle
    and a great time to exercise!!!!:LOL:
     
  9. ETC(SS)

    ETC(SS) The OTHER One Percenter.....

    Joined:
    Oct 28, 2010
    7,751
    6,552
    0
    Location:
    Redneck Riviera (Gulf South)
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    What was old...is new again!
    [​IMG]


    I actually like some of the wraps that I see out there these days, but sometimes I can't help myself. :D