Heat gun for vinyl wrap - recommendations?

[Ductard]

So I'm going to try vinyl wrapping my race bike instead of getting it painted.

I know a heat gun helps, but I want to make sure I'm getting the right thing.

After thinking "hey, that's just like a heavy duty hairdryer"...I found out most of these hairdryers have have two settings:
1. Instantly fry your hair (~650-750 degrees F)
2. Instantly fry your hair and cook your brain (~1,000 degrees F)

I dug a little more, wondering if that was the right type of heat gun (thinking those temps would burn through the vinyl) but it looks like these are the right ones.

I'm tempted to just get the minimum to get the job done. Wrapping a race bike isn't going to take as long as wrapping a whole car, so I'm thinking stuff like fatigue, etc. isn't going to be an issue. ~$18 seemed to be the absolute bottom of the barrel, but I decided it would make sense to "splurge" $20 to get a Wagner, a brand I've at least heard of.

One step up from that would be a $40 option, that comes with some tips/accessories, but I'm not sure how useful those will be.

Then there's the Cadillac of heat guns, a $229 option recommended by the first "how to" site that google pulled up.

Any thoughts between the options below or other recommendations? (probably between the first two. I'll need that extra $200 for suspension upgrades :-)



$20 - bargain basement to get the job done
Wagner 0503008 HT1000 1, 200-watt Heat Gun - - Amazon.com


$40 with different accessories/tips
Earlex HG1500 Heat Gun with 9 Accessories and Carry/Storage Case - Power Heat Guns - Amazon.com


$229 - recommended by a webpage for vinyl wrapping based on lightweight & low vibration (reduces fatigue)
SONORA S1 | Leister Hand Tool


This the site that recommended the sonora
Wagner 0503008 HT1000 1, 200-watt Heat Gun - - Amazon.com

[sedanman]

My experience with heat guns suggests that you'll be ok with a higher output gun as long as your technique is good. Keep the gun moving and keep your distance and you won't burn the vinyl.

[cdovego]

just drop off at TSS then revel in all your free time

[nhbubba]

I have this gun : Black & Decker BDPG700 2-Speed Variable Temperature Heat Gun - Power Heat Guns - Amazon.com

I bought it a while ago on some discount site. Never used it for vinyl, but it is 5 gazillion times better than a hair dryer or cigarette lighter for melting heat shrink.

Where are you getting the vinyl from?

[xrocket21]

I just got this bad sumbitch and love it. Goes from warm to nuclear.

[sedanman]

Master Heat Gun | eBay I have this heat gun. It's awesome.

[loudbeard]

Pick one up from your local Ace Hardware, they're about $30 and have adjustable temperature from 200-1100* iirc. No real need to get a very spendy one.

[Ductard]

It sounds like everybody loves the one they have :-)

I guess I'll go with $20 for the Wagner...unless you guys think the different tips / nozzles would be useful?

[Tunertype]

My experience with heat guns suggests that you'll be ok with a higher output gun as long as your technique is good. Keep the gun moving and keep your distance and you won't burn the vinyl.

Good advice even the low power ones will burn a hole right through vinyl if you just hold it on one spot.

[Ductard]

I randomly saw a harbor freight when I was driving in Natick today.

Had never been in one before so I decided to check it out and picked up a heat gun for $15.

I know HF isn't known for being the most durable, but I'm guessing it will hold up to the minimal use I need it for.

[caloots]

I just did some vinyl.. it's pretty good at taking heat.. You would have to hold it on there with your eyes closed to really melt it

[xxaarraa]

I have an inexpensive wagner also. A "nice to have" feature about a heatgun is a stand or clip so with which you can have it mounted somewhere and blowing heat while you move your part & vinyl under it while wrapping.

Holding the heat gun up by biting the electrical cord with your mouth while trying to use both hands to stretch the vinyl underneath is not very safe. Trust me.

[Ductard]

I have an inexpensive wagner also. A "nice to have" feature about a heatgun is a stand or clip so with which you can have it mounted somewhere and blowing heat while you move your part & vinyl under it while wrapping.

Holding the heat gun up by biting the electrical cord with your mouth while trying to use both hands to stretch the vinyl underneath is not very safe. Trust me.

I could see how that could be useful.

I took mine out of the box last night and tried to roast an almond with the gun on the counter pointing straight up and the almond sitting on top of it (I really wanted a toasted almond at 2am)...but it kept blowing off. Planning to see how long it takes to pop a single popcorn kernel tonight.

[xxaarraa]

I could see how that could be useful.

I took mine out of the box last night and tried to roast an almond with the gun on the counter pointing straight up and the almond sitting on top of it (I really wanted a toasted almond at 2am)...but it kept blowing off. Planning to see how long it takes to pop a single popcorn kernel tonight.

You are up at 2 AM on a Sunday night? You Somerville peeps must live on the edge.

[Ductard]

You are up at 2 AM on a Sunday night? You Somerville peeps must live on the edge.

#Insomnia.