Vacuum Wrapping

Summary: Draping a heated vinyl sheet over a make form

of some desired shape while pulling a vacuum through the
form to get intimate surface contact and establish
permanent shape in the vinyl. This process can be
augmented by addition of air pressure on the opposite side
as well as variations in the vinyl characteristics.

Do:

 Plan on a close out trim piece for through holes

because the vinyl is not goin got return 180 degrees
(i.e. ashtray hole.)
 Expect that the edgewrap will be only a fraction of
parent material thickness for design purposes.
 Allow for trimming on or close to substrate. Midair
cutting hasn't proven to be dependable.
 Prototype it fast and cheap, do not guess and lose,
Advanced Composites can do it in 1 or 2 days.

Don't:
 Have sharp corners which stress the vinyl and
cause grain loss in the show side of the vinyl as well
as enabling wrinkles. Try to stay larger than 1/4"
radius, preferably 1/2" on the top outside corners.
 Have a stretch ratio that exceeds 1.4 or the grain
will be washed out.