Car bonnet wrapping is one of the most beginner-friendly ways to learn vinyl wrapping while achieving a sleek, custom look for your vehicle. Whether you're updating your car’s style or protecting the original paint, this guide will walk you through the essential steps for a clean, bubble-free bonnet wrap.

Before you begin, preparation is key. Choose a clean, dust-free workspace with adequate lighting.

You’ll need a few essential tools to get the job done right:

• Vinyl wrap film (pre-cut or oversized for your bonnet size)
• Squeegee with a felt edge
• Heat gun
• Knifeless tape or precision cutting tool
• Isopropyl alcohol and microfiber cloth for surface cleaning
• Wrap gloves for a smoother application

It’s important to give the entire bonnet a good clean to make sure there’s no dirt or contamination left behind. Spray your cleaning solution over the surface and wipe it down with a microfiber cloth. Don’t forget to get into all the edges where the vinyl will stick. Make sure everything’s dry before moving on to the next step.

Lay the vinyl wrap loosely over the bonnet, ensuring it's centred and evenly draped on all sides. Use magnets or a helping hand to keep it in place while you adjust.

Once you’ve got it positioned just right, carefully peel off the backing paper. Take your time so you don’t lift the material or pick up any dust or dirt from the surface or the air.

Once the backing paper’s off and the vinyl is laid over the bonnet, you’ll need to create a bit of tension to make sure it sits nice and flat on the surface. This technique is called a cold stretch.

Start at one corner, gently lift the vinyl just a few centimetres off the surface and pull it slightly to smooth it out. Repeat this on all corners so the vinyl is evenly stretched and ready to apply.

Now, begin in the centre of the bonnet and use your squeegee to gently press the vinyl outwards at a 30-degree angle. This helps push out any air and keeps things smooth. Work your way towards the edges of the bonnet.

If you spot any creases or air bubbles, don’t stress, just stop, carefully lift the vinyl, and use the cold stretch method again to smooth it out.

Once you’ve applied the vinyl to the bonnet, you’ll notice some excess material around the edges. For any curved corners, lightly heat the vinyl with a heat gun to make it more flexible, then gently pull it over the area. Use your wrap glove to press the vinyl down and wrap it neatly around the edge.

For this install, we’ll be trimming the vinyl along the back edge of the bonnet using a sharp 30-degree blade. Be careful not to scratch the paint, angle the blade slightly downward so it doesn’t catch.

After trimming off all the excess, run the heat gun over all the edges to seal them properly and help prevent any lifting.

Congratulations! You’ve just learned how to wrap a car bonnet! To make things even easier, we’ve put together a wrap kit to get you started in no time. Check it out today!