More than just a wrap
LuxWrap discuss the unique and varied applications that wrapping can be used for. But, more importantly share some varied ‘real life’ case studies of recent successful transformations
From its initial beginnings, the vinyl wrapping segment has grown enormously, and for good reason. With the ever increasing advancements in film and foil technology, now more than ever it is possible to transform the look and personality of a yacht in ways and timeframes once thought unimaginable.
As an industry leader, LuxWrap routinely undertakes superyacht wrap projects on a scale most have never seen before. The speed in which they can deliver a full hull colour change (measured in days not weeks or months) is unprecedented and is one of the many reasons that superyacht owners and yacht management companies are taking a particular interest in LuxWrap over traditional paint and coatings.
Wrapping lasts several years and has an incredible range of colours/ finishes. It also protects paint from the elements and UV damage.
LuxWrap explain further, “When we combine the aesthetic and technical benefits of wraps with our unique ‘in the water’ installation process, the cost can be as low as 1/10th the cost of paint on a 50m vessel, and even lower in percentage terms as the yacht size increases. This is because we work quickly and efficiently, and also because we completely eliminate the need to slip/drydock.”
“Furthermore with larger yachts, our service often costs less than polishing, and polishing can degrade the paint whilst wrapping preserves it. When owners choose us, they are making a value based decision on the expense to protect their asset.”
CASE STUDY 1
EXTERIOR HULL AND SUPERSTRUCTURE
We were approached by a yacht in the 50 metre range which had seen our previous work on similar sized yachts and wanted to wrap their hull and complete superstructure in a combination of black, charcoal and silver, without taking the vessel out of the water.
They had been told by other companies and shipyards that they would need to be in a drydock with scaffolding to perform the installation, but when they spoke to us we told them it would be no problem to perform the installation in the water and that it was in fact routine for us to do that.
We shared several videos of past installations and our working method, and after that they retained our services for the install. The project went ahead and in total we installed 2000m2 / 21,000 square feet of vinyl, which we believe to be the largest full colour change wrap ever performed on a yacht.
Alongside the vinyl installation was a paint company who painted key areas which were not suitable for vinyl, such as the scuppers and non-slip areas.
THE PROOF IS IN THE PUDDING
There is no better way to show the scale and benefits of our projects than by looking at real life case studies across the exterior and superstructure, interior areas and the benefits of wrapping to protect various areas of the yacht.
INTERIOR
For interior works we offer a huge range of finishes with purpose made architectural films, and we can really do anything from refinish individual items of furniture all the way up to facelifting an entire yacht interior.
From our first projects to the ones we work on now, our business has grown through word of mouth and professional recommendations, primarily through the relationships we cultivate with captains, crew, build/refit managers, yacht brokers and others worldwide who respect and trust the work we do. Just ask us for the references.
For more details
Tel: +44 (0)208 068 7488
www.luxwrap.com
CASE STUDY 2
EXTERIOR HULL PROTECTION FILM
We were approached by a 120m+ vessel, who had been introduced to our services by their management company for whom we have worked on several projects. The yacht in question was newly painted in a dark colour and they wanted to protect the area specifically under the rub rails, which was around 700m2, as the dark paint in that area tended to age quickly due to a combination of UV and the fenders rubbing in a sandy environment.
We informed them that vinyl alone would not protect sufficiently from the abrasion they were concerned with, and that although clear protection film is much tougher, it would be impossible to install on this scale due to the fact that protection film is installed wet, and we would be installing on a dark hull in the sun, whilst the vessel was in the water.
Our recommendation was to use colour matched vinyl, and then laminate it with protection film prior to installation, thereby having the ease of installation/removal of vinyl, with the toughness of protection film.
We consulted back and forth for several months discussing technical data and installation methods to be used, and as soon as the green light was given, our team deployed and again the whole project was completed in the water with no shipyard assistance in about 10 days. A year after that particular installation a crew member commented that the areas with vinyl and protection film were ageing better than the paint.
CASE STUDY 3
PROTECTING WOOD AND OTHER SURFACES
Our main growth area has been in installing clear protection film on all manner of surfaces on large yachts in the 100m+ range. The solution we offer in this area offers huge utility, where the cost to wrap key areas with clear protective film every couple of years is a fraction of the cost compared to having to re-varnish them.
Such are the benefits of surface protection film that we’ve installed on some of the largest new builds of recent years prior to delivery, and been called back repeatedly to do more work after delivery.
The benefits and applications of protection film are wide and varied as it not only protects from UV and abrasion, but is also incredibly easy to clean. We typically install on: cap rails, table tops, stainless surfaces in galleys to ease cleaning, garage doors and many other things. Crew and management companies who are not familiar with surface protection film should definitely give us a call.
