From Beaten Up to Show-Ready: Matte Green 3M Wrap on a 2014 Honda Civic in Naperville

From Beaten Up to Show-Ready – Honda Civic 2014 in Matte Green 3M

Sometimes a car just needs a second chance at life. That’s exactly what happened with this 2014 Honda Civic we recently wrapped here at Auto Style PPF Car Wrap Naperville. The owner came to us because our pricing around Naperville and the surrounding suburbs is hard to beat, and he had heard we know exactly how to handle older, beat-up cars before wrapping them.

This Civic had a rough past – the paint was peeling badly, it had been repainted before (not very well), dents all over the body, and even a cracked bumper. Before we even touched the vinyl, our team went to work fixing all the issues: smoothing the surface, repairing the bumper, and making sure the body was ready for a flawless wrap.

The owner chose Matte Green from 3M, a bold and clean look that instantly gave the car a new personality. But we didn’t stop there – we wrapped the hood in carbon fiber vinyl from Avery Dennison. Honestly, it looks like a real carbon hood now.

When it rolled out of our shop, it didn’t look like a tired old Civic anymore. It looked like a proper JDM-style street car, the kind you’d expect to see at a local car meet or Cars & Coffee show. The owner was beyond happy – he said it feels like having a brand new paint job, but with the benefits of vinyl wrap.

We’ve wrapped many older cars over the years, so we know how to prep and restore them before the vinyl goes on. This is not just about putting on a wrap – it’s about bringing life back to a vehicle and making it stand out again.

If your car has seen better days, whether it’s a Honda, BMW, Porsche, or any make, we can give it a fresh, smooth finish that looks like it rolled out of the factory yesterday.

Image Alt Texts for Before & After Pictures:

• "2014 Honda Civic before wrap – peeling paint and dents"

• "2014 Honda Civic after wrap – Matte Green 3M vinyl with Avery Dennison carbon hood"

• "Honda Civic JDM-style wrap Naperville by Auto Style PPF"

How to Do a Vinyl Wrap on a Car: Step-by-Step Guide from Auto Style PPF

At Auto Style PPF in Naperville, IL, we love transforming cars with high-quality vinyl wraps. Today, we’re sharing an inside look at how we wrapped a classic 1991 Mercedes-Benz in Gloss Black 3M vinyl. This car came to us with faded and cracked paint, and the vinyl wrap gave it a fresh, stunning new look.

Here’s how the process works, step by step:

1. Thorough Washing and Clay Bar Treatment
First, we wash the car meticulously to remove all dirt and grime. After washing, we use a clay bar to take off any embedded contaminants from the paint surface, ensuring it’s perfectly clean for the wrap.

2. Sanding to Smooth Cracks and Old Debris
Because this Mercedes had cracked and faded paint, we sanded the affected areas to smooth out imperfections. Some parts, like the door handles, were too damaged to wrap, so we sent them to the paint shop for repainting.

3. Removing Parts for Better Edge Wrapping
To get crisp, clean edges, we carefully removed parts like mirrors, door handles, antenna, headlights, taillights, window trim, and door moldings. This step makes it much easier to wrap each panel neatly.

4. Deep Cleaning of Rubber Seals and Trims with IPA Alcohol
After disassembly, we cleaned rubber seals, trims, and all edges thoroughly with 70% Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA). This ensures all oils and residues are gone, helping the vinyl adhere perfectly.

5. Masking and Preparing for Installation
We apply masking tape to protect areas that should not be wrapped, keeping everything tidy during installation.

6. Cutting and Applying Vinyl Wrap Panels
Each panel’s vinyl is cut to the proper size to fit perfectly with minimal waste. We start applying the wrap piece by piece, carefully smoothing it out.

7. Heat Gun Use and Air Bubble Removal
Using a heat gun, we warm the vinyl to make it more flexible and conform to the car’s curves. We check for any air bubbles, pressing them out to achieve a flawless finish. We tack the edges with 3M’s primer glue designed specifically for vinyl wraps, ensuring strong adhesion.

8. Reassembling and Final Inspection Under Sunlight
Once the wrap is fully applied, we put all the removed parts back on. Then, the car is moved outside into sunlight to heat up naturally. This final heat exposure helps the vinyl settle and allows us to check for any bubbling or peeling.

The Result
The old Mercedes now shines with a deep, flawless Gloss Black finish, looking better than new. The owner is thrilled with the transformation!

How to Book Your Vinyl Wrap
We take a 50% deposit upfront and the remaining 50% once the car is done and ready for pickup. If you want to give your car a fresh, protective, and stylish new look like this Mercedes, call us at 630-524-7477 or visit Auto Style PPF in Naperville, IL for more information.

Vinyl wrapping is both an art and a science and we’re here to do it right for you. Ready to transform your ride? Contact us today!