SL55/63/65/R230 AMG: 2007 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG R230 wrapped in 3M 1080 Dark Gray Satin Vinyl S261

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Feb 21, 2017 | 04:30 PM

Ed954

Thread Starter

Senior Member

Joined: Apr 2016

Posts: 333

Likes: 25

From: Miami, FL

R230

2007 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG R230 wrapped in 3M 1080 Dark Gray Satin Vinyl S261

I wasn't not planning to wrap a car right now, but since the SL is in Florida, I couldn't help myself. Mostly did it to protect the original paint and it's fun thing to do for me.

After contacting several wrap shops in Mimai/Broward, I decided to do the wrap myself. Wasn't too thrilled about the communication, pretty much every shop I contacted wasn't too excited about answering my emails. Except one, which is a Brand New shop that just opened up in Miami, CK Wraps, he just moved here from Canada. I really like his work, so I highly recommend the guy, if anyone needs a wrap in that area.

The goal this time was to wrap the car without taking the bumpers, taillight and headlights off. The SL is a pretty complicated car, so I didn't want to touch this stuff. What I learned with my 3rd wrap(1st was Infiniti FX and the second one was Scion IQ), that if you have the right tools and patience you can easily wrap any car without removing the bumpers. I removed the antennas and door handles since it was pretty easy to do and some other small stuff.

Another new technique I learned is a “cold pre-stretch”, takes about 15 minutes to wrap a door. Saw it on CK Wraps YouTube channel. This definitely saved me a lot of time. From start to end it took me 52 hours . A lot time spent on tucking the corners nicely and clay baring the original clear coat before applying the vinyl. Everything was done outside, with no garage. Only have minimal dust particles under the vinyl on front and rear bumpers.

The color that I picked is very close to the original Mercedes Designo matte paint. S261 3M 1080 Dark Gray Satin Vinyl. Very nice material to work with. Overall I'm very happy with the results, definitely a big step up from the previous wraps, but they are some things I still need to work on. Enjoy the pictures!

Usual wrap prep

by https://www.flickr.com/photos/99027385@N02/, on Flickr

by https://www.flickr.com/photos/99027385@N02/, on Flickr

My favorite Adhesive removal tool, made by 3M. I think I own it for 10 years now and it still does the job

by https://www.flickr.com/photos/99027385@N02/, on Flickr

by https://www.flickr.com/photos/99027385@N02/, on Flickr

I always start with the easy parts first

by https://www.flickr.com/photos/99027385@N02/, on Flickr

by https://www.flickr.com/photos/99027385@N02/, on Flickr

Color matched fog bezels

by https://www.flickr.com/photos/99027385@N02/, on Flickr

by https://www.flickr.com/photos/99027385@N02/, on Flickr

One piece satellite antenna

by https://www.flickr.com/photos/99027385@N02/, on Flickr

Faded trim is wrapped in 3M Gloss Black

by https://www.flickr.com/photos/99027385@N02/, on Flickr

Feb 21, 2017 | 04:30 PM

Ed954

Thread Starter

Senior Member

Joined: Apr 2016

Posts: 333

Likes: 25

From: Miami, FL

R230

The wrap

by https://www.flickr.com/photos/99027385@N02/, on Flickr

by https://www.flickr.com/photos/99027385@N02/, on Flickr

Cold pre-stretch technique

by https://www.flickr.com/photos/99027385@N02/, on Flickr

by https://www.flickr.com/photos/99027385@N02/, on Flickr

Front Mercedes star wrapped in 2m Gloss Black

by https://www.flickr.com/photos/99027385@N02/, on Flickr

Feb 21, 2017 | 04:30 PM

Ed954

Thread Starter

Senior Member

Joined: Apr 2016

Posts: 333

Likes: 25

From: Miami, FL

R230

Hood Vents accents wrapped in 3M Gloss Black

by https://www.flickr.com/photos/99027385@N02/, on Flickr

by https://www.flickr.com/photos/99027385@N02/, on Flickr

Side Vents

by https://www.flickr.com/photos/99027385@N02/, on Flickr

All parts were clay bared before applying the vinyl

by https://www.flickr.com/photos/99027385@N02/, on Flickr

by https://www.flickr.com/photos/99027385@N02/, on Flickr

Rear Mercedes Emblem wrapped in 3M Gloss Black

by https://www.flickr.com/photos/99027385@N02/, on Flickr

Feb 21, 2017 | 04:31 PM

Ed954

Thread Starter

Senior Member

Joined: Apr 2016

Posts: 333

Likes: 25

From: Miami, FL

R230

by https://www.flickr.com/photos/99027385@N02/, on Flickr

by https://www.flickr.com/photos/99027385@N02/, on Flickr

Rear bumper wasn't too hard to wrap

by https://www.flickr.com/photos/99027385@N02/, on Flickr

Feb 21, 2017 | 04:32 PM

Ed954

Thread Starter

Senior Member

Joined: Apr 2016

Posts: 333

Likes: 25

From: Miami, FL

R230

by https://www.flickr.com/photos/99027385@N02/, on Flickr

by https://www.flickr.com/photos/99027385@N02/, on Flickr

Front bumper gave me a little headache

by https://www.flickr.com/photos/99027385@N02/, on Flickr

by https://www.flickr.com/photos/99027385@N02/, on Flickr

First time using a Knifless tape by 3M

by https://www.flickr.com/photos/99027385@N02/, on Flickr

by https://www.flickr.com/photos/99027385@N02/, on Flickr

Attention to small details

by https://www.flickr.com/photos/99027385@N02/, on Flickr

Feb 21, 2017 | 04:34 PM

Ed954

Thread Starter

Senior Member

Joined: Apr 2016

Posts: 333

Likes: 25

From: Miami, FL

R230

These were ordered on eBay, not a bad quality, but you still need to align everything

by https://www.flickr.com/photos/99027385@N02/, on Flickr

by https://www.flickr.com/photos/99027385@N02/, on Flickr

Door sills were pretty scratched up, so these were wrapped in Vivvid 3D Gloss Black Carbon to match the interior.

by https://www.flickr.com/photos/99027385@N02/, on Flickr

Feb 21, 2017 | 04:34 PM

Ed954

Thread Starter

Senior Member

Joined: Apr 2016

Posts: 333

Likes: 25

From: Miami, FL

R230

These were ordered on eBay, not a bad quality, but you still need to align everything

by https://www.flickr.com/photos/99027385@N02/, on Flickr

by https://www.flickr.com/photos/99027385@N02/, on Flickr

Door sills were pretty scratched up, so these were wrapped in Vivvid 3D Gloss Black Carbon to match the interior.

by https://www.flickr.com/photos/99027385@N02/, on Flickr

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Feb 22, 2017 | 05:53 AM

Ed954

Thread Starter

Senior Member

Joined: Apr 2016

Posts: 333

Likes: 25

From: Miami, FL

R230

I just checked the desktop version and somehow the forum software duplicated all the pictures here... if anyone knows how to fix it let me know. Thanks

Jun 12, 2019 | 03:18 PM

#10

SheryarYO

Super Member

Joined: Sep 2009

Posts: 710

Likes: 15

C63

not sure how i stumbled upon this, but this is awesome. i wrapped my first c63 myself a few years ago and loved it too. i know how much work went into it. hope it's held up well.

Jun 12, 2019 | 10:38 PM

#11

Ed954

Thread Starter

Senior Member

Joined: Apr 2016

Posts: 333

Likes: 25

From: Miami, FL

R230

Quote:

Originally Posted by SheryarYO

not sure how i stumbled upon this, but this is awesome. i wrapped my first c63 myself a few years ago and loved it too. i know how much work went into it. hope it's held up well.

Thank you. It was around 40 hours of labor. Wrap looks still brand new as day 1.

Jun 13, 2019 | 10:44 AM

#12

bruceeboy

Junior Member

Joined: Oct 2018

Posts: 58

Likes: 24

From: Tucson, AZ

2013 F12

Have to say, the result looks fantastic! The yellow calipers are a nice touch with that color wrap. Glad I took the time to track down your pics on flickr - for some reason they won't load in the forum.

Been thinking I might wrap my '11 SL63 at some point, but I don't really think I have the confidence of patience to do it myself.