Installing a RideWrap kit at home is simple: you just need what comes in the box, a spray bottle, and a little patience. This guide applies to all universal frame, fork, and crank kits.
Before you start
- What's in the kit: squeegee, pre-cleaning wipes, installation solution concentrate, dropper, microfiber cloth, and installation key.
- What you need: a spray bottle with water, isopropyl alcohol or mild degreaser, a lint-free cloth, and good lighting.
- Where: a clean, indoor space, free of dust and wind. Ideally with the bike on a work stand.
- When: don't rush. It is best to install it the day before your next ride, so the film has time to set.
Step by step
- Prepare the bike. Remove bags, bottle cages, and anything else in the way of the areas you are going to protect. If you can, move cables away from the tubes.
- Clean thoroughly. Remove mud and grease. Then, go over each area with a pre-cleaning wipe or isopropyl alcohol. Any dust speck left underneath will show through the film.
- Dry fit the pieces. Identify each piece and where it goes before wetting anything. If any need trimming for your frame, do it now with scissors.
- Prepare the solution. Mix the kit's concentrate with water in the spray bottle, following the instructions on the box.
- Wet the frame and the piece. Spray the frame area and the adhesive side of the film well. With everything wet, the piece will slide, allowing you to position it precisely. Handle the film by the edges to avoid leaving fingerprints.
- Position and set with the squeegee. Place the piece in its spot and fix one point first, either in the center or on an edge. From there, use the squeegee with overlapping strokes toward the edges to expel water and air.
- Remove bubbles. Always push them toward the nearest edge. If one gets trapped far from the edge, carefully lift the film, spray again, and reset it.
- Finish the edges. Go over the edges with the microfiber cloth. If one doesn't stick, apply a little heat (read the heat tip below).
- Let it dry. Leave the bike to rest so the film can set before riding or washing it with a pressure washer.
Tips
- Adjust the solution: if the piece doesn't slide, add more concentrate; if it slips too much and doesn't stick, dilute the mixture with more water.
- Heat, only at the end and in moderation: a hair dryer or heat gun helps set stubborn edges, but only as a last resort. The frame should feel warm, never hot. Too much heat can damage the film or the paint. If the center of the piece isn't sticking, do not use heat: adjust the solution and reapply.
- Prevention is better than correction: it is much easier to avoid bubbles by working slowly than to remove them later.
- Self-healing: light marks on the film disappear with mild heat, such as sunlight.
Common mistakes
- Installing on a poorly cleaned surface.
- Working on a dusty floor or in a dusty environment.
- Pressing the film with fingers and leaving marks on the adhesive.
- Rushing the installation or the removal of bubbles.
- Not reading all the instructions before starting.
Questions?
If you have any questions about your kit, contact us via our contact page or at info@gravelplus.es and we will help you.