One owner wrote this up in 2011 for wrapping the surround without removing the screen or the front clam, and many other owners followed it. Everything below is from that thread, which had about 96 replies. If your screen is being replaced anyway, see Windscreen replacement first: a new screen comes with a black surround.
The surround isn't painted. It is moulded in colour, so vinyl comes off cleanly. The author said he had wrapped his three times in four years without damage when removing it. Heating the vinyl first loosens the adhesive.
The method
- Clean the surround. Scrub it and degrease it. One owner in 2011 said grit trapped underneath shows through, and the film sticks better on a clean surface.
- Place the vinyl. Lay it over the windscreen and secure it to the wing mirrors with masking tape. Fold the top back to expose the top of the surround.
- Peel and cut. Peel back the backing and cut it off.
- Wet it. Add two drops of washing-up liquid to a spray bottle of water and mist the surround lightly. This lets the film be moved and worked into place. Expensive vinyl has low initial tack and doesn't need it, but cheap vinyl does.
- Apply the top. Fold the vinyl onto the surround and work out the air bubbles with the sponge.
- Trim the middle. Once the part without backing paper is applied and air-free, cut about an inch inside the surround to remove the excess.
- Do the sides. Remove the backing from one side at a time and apply it, working out the bubbles. Start on the inside part of the screen and use the sponge to work the film into the edge of the surround. Trim the excess with the knife.
- Straight edges. Rub the vinyl over the straight outside edges (the top and sides) with your fingers.
- Corners. Use the hair dryer to fold the two corners over. Tension the film slightly and heat it a little to soften it so it can stretch over the curve. Cut off the excess on the outside edge.
- Finish with heat. Heat the whole surround to a decent heat. This releases the tension from stretching and dries the water, which activates the glue and makes a strong bond.
Tips from owners who did it
- Not in direct sun. One owner in 2011 found the vinyl very tacky in direct sun and thought that was normal, and it all hardened when the sun went in. Do it in the shade.
- Leave an overlap inside. Another owner left plenty of overlap on the inside edge, because the surround can be flexed up and the edge tucked underneath for a clean finish (2011).
- Check the width. One owner's piece was only just wide enough to reach both sides, and it moved while he fought the wind, which left a gap on one side. He stretched it to cover the visible area.
- Creases from the post. One owner whose roll was creased in transit could not smooth them out, and they showed near the edges.
- The bottom edge. The strip that disappears into the front clam is hard to get pressure on (2011). One owner in 2012 removed his wrap because it hadn't stuck to the very bottom, put down to poor degreasing.
- Top corners and window frame. The same owner found it hard to get the film flush at both top corners and along the top window frame, where it drops in between the rubber seal, and it kept creasing there.
- Use heat. In 2014 an owner said a hair dryer lets you stretch it enough, but don't over-stretch because it will rip. He did his screen, dash plate and fuel cap surround with cheap vinyl, and said they were as good a year later.
- Help. Two people took about 90 minutes (2011).
Which vinyl
- Cheap film. The author tried film at £1.68 a metre on his front clam. It lacked elasticity, was thin enough for the paint to show through, and overstretching caused discolouration. It looks good from two feet away, takes about twice as long and needs experience and patience. It was about a tenth of the price of a premium wrapping film, and it isn't a cast vinyl.
- What owners used. Ritrama Ri-mark L series (the author, who said it isn't a wrapping vinyl but good enough for surrounds and simple shapes, and hard for deep 3D shapes), Avery, 3M Scotchcal 85 series, and Oracal in a colour matched to the car (2011).
- Colour. Owners wrapped black, anthracite (to match wheels), Calypso red, and one tried silver on silver. A vinyl supplier's Oracal range had matches for the standard colours, according to owners in 2011.
- Kit. An owner in 2011 bought a three-piece kit from a German supplier five years earlier and found it simple to fit.
If it goes wrong or you'd rather not
- Paying someone. One owner in 2014 was quoted £150 for wrapping the screen surround. The author said £20 including material would be a fair price for the job.
- Spray-on dip. In 2013 and 2019 owners suggested Plastidip or full-dip in the colour you want, with minimal effort.
- Repainting. In 2019 an owner whose surround was damaged was told to sand it back with 800 wet and dry and then repaint or wrap it.
- Some gave up. Several owners in 2011 said they left it to professionals after a failed attempt, and one wrecked a roll of cheap eBay vinyl. Others said it was easy and that patience is what it takes.