Skip to content
arlon.com
  • There are no suggestions because the search field is empty.

The Pre-Stretch & Shrink Method: Mastering 3D Curves

Using Film Memory to Lock the Perfect Edge

While most people think stretching vinyl is a recipe for failure, this specific technique uses the vinyl's natural "memory" to actually make the wrap more secure. Instead of the film trying to pull away from an edge, this method forces the film to pull inward, hugging the part like a second skin.

This technique is designed for convex shapes—parts that curve outward toward you. If you try to wrap these with a standard flat application, you will end up with "fingers" (excess bunches of vinyl) at the edges.

Primary Targets:

  • Side-view mirrors

  • Door handles

  • Bumper corners

  • Shark fin antennas

  • Small spoilers

 

The Step-by-Step Technique

The goal is to "charge" the vinyl with memory before it ever touches the part.

  1. Heat: Use a heat gun to soften a piece of vinyl that is larger than the part you are wrapping.

  2. Stretch: Pull the film evenly (usually by 20% to 30%) in a direction perpendicular to the curve.

  3. Cool: Hold the stretch and let the vinyl cool completely in its new, elongated state. This "sets" the temporary memory.

  4. Anchor: Apply the center of your stretched film to the highest point (the "peak") of the object.

  5. Shrink: Apply heat to the unapplied edges. Because the film "remembers" being smaller, it will instantly shrink and wrap itself tightly around the corners of the part.

The most important detail of this method is the direction of the pull. To get the best results, you must stretch the film in a direction that is perpendicular to the curve of the object. This ensures that when the film shrinks back, it does so evenly across the entire surface, preventing "color washout" or distorted graphics.

 

The Professional Advantage: By mastering the Pre-Stretch and Shrink method, you eliminate the need for relief cuts and unsightly seams on mirrors and handles, providing your customers with a finish that looks like custom paint.