DIY Shrinkwrap

[rogerwa]

I have been looking at doing my own shrnkwrapping this year as opposed to the tarp and frame method. Has anyone done this themselves? Looks like the materials can be had failry inexpensively but I don't want to spring for the heat gun. Just looking for personal experience/tips.

Or is it worth to pay the $250 to get it done..

Thanks..

 

[MinUph]

Re: DIY Shrinkwrap

Depending on the boat I would say leave this to someone that has done many boats. Everything looks easy when watching until you go for it. If you have the money to burn (pun intended) try it. If I were to wrap my boat I would have it done. I do most everything myself but this is not all that easy to do right. Be sure to add breathers if you DIY. A friend that owned the marina where I stayed up north did this. He used a large torch as I recall.

 

[5150abf]

Re: DIY Shrinkwrap

Do a search in this forum for shrink wrap, this comes up every year and somone found something used to burn grass that works well as a heat source but you don't want to go at this with a heat gun, you need a flame thrower to get enough heat to make it work.

With a heat gun you may still be at it come spring.

I am with MinUmp, it looks easy but I don't know that I would try it, melting a seat is going to be more than $250

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: DIY Shrinkwrap

I had a custom sumbrella cover made last year with snaps placed every 6 inches to stand a snow load. I got tired of the yearly hassle.
.

 

[Jeep Man]

Re: DIY Shrinkwrap

I had a custom sumbrella cover made last year with snaps placed every 6 inches to stand a snow load. I got tired of the yearly hassle.
.

That would be sweet.....except my snow load is 4 to 6 feet.

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: DIY Shrinkwrap

In that case you need a shed. The most I get is 2 feet.

 

[rogerwa]

Re: DIY Shrinkwrap

OK I am conflicted as I am an avid DIYer. It looks so easy yet all feedback says, not just here, says leave it to the pros. I will probably do that, I'm just a tightwad that doesn't want to spend $250 for something I could do myself.

 

[BobGinCO]

Re: DIY Shrinkwrap

Yeah but the heat gun alone is gonna set you back more than the cost of shrink wrapping.

 

[MinUph]

Re: DIY Shrinkwrap

Roger,
I don't think any of us really want to talk you out of the DIY route. But safety and destruction of your boat makes us want to be sure your knowing what you're getting into. You may be able to buy the vinyl for $250.00 and maybe another 100 for a used torch but what it you blow holes in the vinyl. And worse yet darken the boat a bit. Is it worth it? If so let us know how you make out. We love pics. Both good and well.. bad

 

[herbmmm]

Re: DIY Shrinkwrap

You can buy an inexpensive heat gun a Harbor Freight.

 

[BobGinCO]

Re: DIY Shrinkwrap

You can buy an inexpensive heat gun a Harbor Freight.

It will not come CLOSE to being able to handle this job.

 

[Expidia]

Re: DIY Shrinkwrap

You can buy an inexpensive heat gun a Harbor Freight.

Ya, I have one from Harbor Freight $9.99. Great for heating shrink wrap tubing, but I dont think I'd attack a boat shrink wrap job with a $9.99 basically a hair dryer! You might be able to rent a pro heat gun for the day from HD or a tool rental store though.

 

[Georgesalmon]

Re: DIY Shrinkwrap

I've done a lot of shrinkwrapping on boats from 14' to 53' and you really need a big gun to do it properly. You also need some practice because its a very fine line between shrinking it the right amount and melting through it. Even people I've known that do it everyday still melt through once in a while and once in a great while even burn part of the boat interior. Probably need some shrink wrap tape to which is also expensive. Staring in the right place is important to, its not rocket science of course and I'm sure with the right equipment you could do it just fine, but I'll say again it takes practice and one boat a year is probably not enough to get it.

 

[woody66912]

Re: DIY Shrinkwrap

I've done a lot of shrinkwrapping on boats from 14' to 53' and you really need a big gun to do it properly. You also need some practice because its a very fine line between shrinking it the right amount and melting through it. Even people I've known that do it everyday still melt through once in a while and once in a great while even burn part of the boat interior. Probably need some shrink wrap tape to which is also expensive. Staring in the right place is important to, its not rocket science of course and I'm sure with the right equipment you could do it just fine, but I'll say again it takes practice and one boat a year is probably not enough to get it.

Yep one a year is not enough, it takes me four just to get warmed up. I have always likened shrink wraping to spray painting with a blow torch.

 

[rogerwa]

Re: DIY Shrinkwrap

George, that makes sense. I just have to make sure I am not the first one (or fourth) of the year.

 

[WaterDR]

Re: DIY Shrinkwrap

I never really understood the whole shrinkwrap thing. I have always stored my boat indoors and thus, no need to wrap. Indoor storage around here ranges from $125 to $500 a season depending on where you go and how far you want to drive. I get my jet ski and pontoon stored in an old underground, military storage facility for aboout $150. I just need to drive about 17 miles.

 

[BobGinCO]

Re: DIY Shrinkwrap

I get my jet ski and pontoon stored in an old underground, military storage facility for aboout $150. I just need to drive about 17 miles.

Wow. NICE! 17 miles doesn't even get me to town!

 

[WaterDR]

Re: DIY Shrinkwrap

Wow. NICE! 17 miles doesn't even get me to town!

I live in town, so I need to travel to boonies to find storage - lol But, I only live a mile to our slip on the St. Croix.

 

[rogerwa]

Re: DIY Shrinkwrap

I used to do that when I had a bowrider and it sat on a trailer. I towed it back to my house and then to a county fairgrounds that put boats in their buildings.

Now with my pontoon, I don't have a trailer and I keep it behind my cabin. Indoor storage up there is expensive and they want it on a trailer so it can be moved around.

So in past years, I have built the wooden frame and used a 30x40ft tarp, tied with stakes into the ground to keep it tight. Definitely the cheap option, as the trailer rental is $40, Frame materials approx $20, tarp, $60 and can be used for about 2 years. it is just not overly sealed and is open to critters and dust from wind blowing through. I would rather have a garage, but don't have the funds for that.

I may try the shrinkwrap for a year and see if it a better option than the tarp and frame.

 

[WaterDR]

Re: DIY Shrinkwrap

I see you are just in Burnsville....not too far from me.