How to Install a UTV Wrap Kit
A wrap kit is a very doable DIY job if you take your time on prep. Most install problems, like lifting edges, bubbles and corners that won't stick, come from a panel that wasn't truly clean. Here's the exact process we use in our shop, shown on a Can-Am Maverick X3, but it works on any side-by-side.
What you'll need
- Felt-edge squeegee. Felt is important because a bare plastic squeegee can scratch the laminate. KGFX kits don't include one, so pick one up before you start.
- Heat gun
- Simple Green and a bucket of water
- Denatured alcohol
- Spray bottle for the install solution
- Adhesive remover if you're taking off old graphics
- Clean microfiber towels
Your step-by-step install instructions are emailed to you as soon as you order, so keep them handy alongside this guide.
Step 1: Wash the whole machine
Wash the entire machine down with Simple Green, not just the panels you're wrapping. Dirt from the rest of the machine ends up on your panels. Rinse well and let everything dry completely.
Step 2: Remove old graphics and residue
If there are factory or old graphics, warm them with the heat gun and peel them slowly. Take off every bit of leftover glue with adhesive remover. Any residue left behind will show through or keep the new kit from bonding.
Step 3: Final clean with denatured alcohol
Wipe every panel with denatured alcohol on a clean towel. This removes oils, wax and the film that soaps can leave. Don't touch the cleaned surface with bare fingers.
Step 4: Mix your install solution
Fill a spray bottle with half denatured alcohol and half water. This is the solution we install with. It lets you slide the graphic into place, and the alcohol helps it dry and grab faster than soap and water.
Step 5: Lay out the kit
Match each piece to its panel before you peel anything. Start with a larger, flatter panel like a door to get a feel for the material.
Step 6: Spray, position and squeegee
Lightly mist the panel and the adhesive side of the graphic. Lay the piece on, slide it into position, then squeegee from the center outward with the felt squeegee, pushing the solution and air out toward the edges.
Step 7: Heat and keep pushing down
When the piece is in place, heat it up and keep pressing it down, especially around curves, body lines and edges. Heat lets the vinyl conform to the plastic and helps the adhesive grab. Go over every edge more than once.
Step 8: Let it set
Give the install time to dry and bond before riding hard or pressure washing. Check edges the next day and give any that lifted another round of heat and pressure.
Caring for your wrap
The laminate is scratch resistant, not scratch proof. Wash with mild soap, use soft towels, and don't use a plastic squeegee or scraper on it. When pressure washing, keep the nozzle back from the edges.
FAQ
Do I need a professional to install it?
No. Most riders install their own kit. Patience on prep and edges is what makes it look professional.
Can I install it dry?
You can, but we install with a 50/50 denatured alcohol and water mix. It lets you reposition pieces and dries faster than soap and water.
What kind of squeegee should I use?
A felt-edge squeegee, so you don't scratch the laminate.
Where are the install instructions?
They're emailed to you automatically as soon as you place your order.