Wrappin’ your ride

[Saigondroner]

I live in Southeast Asia, and I have access to very cheap and substandard quality drone accessories. I have normally 'wrapped my rides' using various vinyl 'carbon fiber look' plastic sheeting.. My objective is to reduce scratches, and everyday wear and tear on the AC's surface. I've only used black, none of the day glo items. If someone is interested in applying a wrap, here are a few tips:

1. A blow dryer, or a heat gun (best) is required. Heat the wrap and the AC surface 1st. Heat guns are not blow dryers, and can start fires...be careful. My heat gun can blow 400 deg C/750 deg F. Less is more. I CANNOT STRESS THIS ANY MORE SERIOUSLY!!
2. Apply the decals on the batteries FIRST. Why? Batts are small, uniform, and give a 'feel' how the wrap reacts. LiPo's are dangerous, and sensitive to heat. I heat a LiPo using a 150deg heat gun for 10 SECONDS.
3. If wrap came from China, read the manual carefully....you'll eventually understand WTF the manual is explaining
4. Bubbles and creases are easily removed. A razor knife (Xacto) will trim overages.
5. Patience is a virtue; I have wrapped ~20 drones, and this was 2 hours effort. It is tedious.
6. Oh yeah, clean EVERY surface before application ;-)

This kit cost me $6 delivered, and does exactly what I expect.

Fly safe.

M

 

[Former Member]

Yes, you really need to be careful with any heat gun around a Mavic. The plastic will melt very easily, as well as some internal components.

 

[Saigondroner]

Yes, a heat gun is overkill, by a long distance. I have been a long time Xacto hobbiest, & had a ‘fun time’ setting the drapes ablaze long ago ;-).