3M™ 2080 Series Vinyl Wraps

By now, we're pretty sure that everyone has heard of 3M™ 1080 Series Vinyl Wrap films because they literally revolutionized the vehicle wrap industry overnight. Not surprisingly, the geniuses at 3M™ have done it again by improving upon all of the best features of the 1080 Series with the newly released 2080 Vinyl Wrap Series.

Just like its predecessor, 3M™'s 2080 Series Wrap lets you to customize your ride (or anything else for that matter) and give it a completely new look. Always at the forefront of the industry, 3M™'s latest addition to its Wrap Film Series is the 2080 line and offers one-of-a-kind performance, unbeatable reliability, pro features which make it perfect for DIY application.

What Is New for the 3M™ 2080 Wrap Series?

Much like 1080, 2080 Vinyl Wrap lets you transform the look of your vehicle without the cost and hassle of repainting your car, protects your original paint job and makes do-it-yourself installation a breeze. Made to be used right out of the box, it features a protective layer (on Gloss films) that you can leave on until your wrapping project is completed. Only 2080 Series films offer this revolutionary protective layer in addition to its multi-layer cast properties.

Another significant advantage of the 3M™ 2080 Series Wrap over 1080 is that it is ultra-conformable, providing a tighter fit around curves and in channels for a truly sleek appearance and easier installation. That means you need to use even less heat during application which helps to prevent over-stretching and shortens the post-heating process (be sure to remove the protective layer before post-heating). Resistant to mild alkaline substances, acids, salt as well as to fuels and water. Matte, satin and gloss types have an eight-year life warranty, while carbon fiber and brushed metals have a five-year expected vertical lifespan.

2080 Series Film Specs

2080 Series 3M™ vinyl wrap films are made for use it right out of the box. There's no need to print or apply an overlaminate. And, since they're manufactured with dual color layers for dimensional stability and durability, you can depend on them not to discolor or deform even around the craziest of curves. Enjoy the convenience and quality of this 3.5 mil cast film.

  • Multi-layer, cast vinyl wrap in more than 100 colors
  • Protective Film Layer (Gloss Films) prevents damage during installation
  • 3M™ Controltac™ technology for easy sliding, tacking, snap-up and repositioning.
  • Available in 8 styles: Matte, Matte Metallic, Satin, Gloss, Gloss Metallic, Carbon Fiber, Brushed and Color Flip
  • Pressure-sensitive adhesives
  • Invisible, air-drain Comply™ technology for bubble-free results
  • Sold by the foot in 60 inch rolls so you can wrap anything without seams
  • 8 year life for Matte, Satin, and Gloss
  • 5 year life for Carbon Fiber and Brushed Metal

2080 Series Available Colors and Styles

Don't worry about being left in the lurch because 3M™ Series 2080 colors will directly replace their equivalent color of all Series 1080 colors. Plus, you get even more selection with the new 2080 Series: 6 new colors will added to the line and they're as follows:




Gloss Wrap Vinyl

The 2080 Series Gloss style gives your car a high-gloss shine with an extra, added layer of protection. One of the primary improvements of Series 2080 vinyl over 1080 is the inclusion of an invisible Protective Film Layer that stays on until you've finished your application. This, in conjunction with its enhanced conformability, gives you the ability to do more with less heat. Choose from classic colors such as Gloss Black Rose, Gloss Atomic Teal and Gloss Boat Blue to add a just-been-painted look to your car. Skip the hassle of painting by installing our 3M™ 2080 Gloss Wrap Vinyl to prolong the life of your vehicle’s paint job. With a seven-year lifespan, 2080 Gloss Vinyl melts into to tight turns and angles like butter and leaves you with a glossy finish.

Matte and Satin Wrap Vinyl

Seeing the difference between 3M™ 2080 Matte and Satin Series can be a bit difficult for the untrained eye but we can help you get a better idea of what makes them different. Matte 2080 Series wraps give you a soft, lustrous look while satin wraps give you a slightly shinier version that's somewhere between Gloss and Matte. In other words, Satin gives you a subtle shine that's absent in Matte vinyl. The 3M™ Matte 2080 series is available in 14 colors, and the Satin 2080 Series is available in 17.

Brushed Metal Wrap Vinyl

Our Brushed Metal Wrap combines the look and realistic feel of a brushed metal with performance of the 3M™ 2080 Series. Use it both indoors and outdoors, the brushed metal film comes in five colors — aluminum, black, steel, blue and titanium. You can install the vinyl on your dashboard, your boat or cover the outside surface of your truck. The 3M™ Brushed Metal Series provides endless application options.

Carbon Fiber Wrap Vinyl

With the 3M™ Carbon Fiber Vinyl Wrap, you can feel the weave of the film with your fingernails — that's how realistic this vinyl is! Choose from White, Anthracite or Black to upgrade and give an aggressive look to your vehicle. When you wrap your ride with this carbon fiber film you'll get a genuine carbon twill weave look with the ease of a self-adhesive and pressure-activated vinyl. If you want to install a long-lasting, bubble-free film with true-to-life textured grains, the 3M™ 2080 Carbon Vinyl is the perfect option.

Color Flip Film Wrap Vinyl

The 3M™ Flip Film Series is a head-turning color-change style available in six colors such as Deep Space and Electric Wave. The shade-shifting, Color Flip films cycle from one end of the color spectrum to the other, creating a stunning effect. With a five-year lifespan, our multi-cast 3M™ Color Flip Film Vinyl won’t discolor or delaminate any time soon.

The Many Uses of 3M™ 2080 Series Wraps

At this point, you've probably chosen the color and style of vinyl wrap you want. You’re excited to begin your DIY project, but what, exactly, will it be?

The best part about wrapping your ride yourself is that you have the complete freedom to choose. And, if you're still stuck, why not take a look at these five different options to consider with the 3M™ 2080 Series Wrap:

  • Full: A full wrap prevents damage to all your vehicle’s painted surfaces. It’s the most distinctive look to install on your car and will be sure to make heads turn.
  • Partial: You can place partial wrap on an area of your choice. Whether you wrap your front bumper to protect it from debris or the back bumper for an exotic look, you can’t go wrong.
  • Roof: While many people apply a film to the hood of a vehicle for a contrasting look, it can also break up the different colors schemes of your car for a more stimulating appearance.
  • Cockpit: Cockpit wrapping is another contrasting combination that carries your color design throughout the vehicle, including the pillars around your windows.
  • Hood: People often install carbon fiber to the hood of cars for a boost in performance. But you can create the same visual change by applying carbon fiber patterned vinyl. You may not receive a better performance rate for your car, but the wrap will give you the same look for a lower price.

How to Apply Your 3M™ 2080 Vinyl Wrap

The 3M™ 2080 vehicle wrap film has pressure-sensitive adhesives for easy application. You can slide the film for precise positioning and repositioning. Invisible air-release channels form a bubble-free application. In this case, you don’t need to apply an overlaminate because the wrap is the protective layer. However, cleaning matte colors is easier with overlaminates, and neon colors become more resistant to fading. The 3M™ 2080 vinyl requires dry installation and is semi-permanent. You can remove the vinyl film with heat or chemicals.

Ideal vehicles to be wrapped by the 3M™ 2080 film include — but are not limited to — sports cars, exotic cars and track cars. It’s also ideal for the vehicle to have the correct paint to substrate bond for an even process. Vehicles with scratches, dents or rust may make film installation difficult because the damages can become visible, but you can sand and prepare it before installation for a less drastic appearance.

Receiving a 60” roll of 3M™ 2080 Vinyl Wrap may seem intimidating at first. You may worry about bubbles, smooth seams and the general difficulty of a DIY installation. No matter your questions, applying vinyl film is a seamless process if you follow these guidelines:

Flat-Surface Installation

  1. Wash each surface where you want to install the vinyl.
  2. Measure the size of panel you want to wrap on your car, cutting a little extra. It is easier to trim too much extra than having too little and being out of luck.
  3. Remove liner from the film.
  4. Place the vinyl on the desired section of your vehicle — the adhesive technology allows you to position the film.
  5. Spread the film to remove large wrinkles, but don’t stretch.
  6. Use the heat gun in circular motions, allowing the adhesive properties to conform to the car.
  7. Use a squeegee to apply intense pressure. Starting from the center and pushing outward, remove any air bubbles trapped between the film and surface of your vehicle to an exit point — the air-release channels will make this process easy.
  8. Remove any excess bubbles with an air release tool and press the film once more onto the surface.
  9. Re-heat and squeegee the edges of the film to assure strong adherence.

Note: The biggest mistake when applying vinyl is excessive stretching. Although the material gives, forceful stretching may tear your vinyl, and it may not accurately align.

Bridging Installation

  1. Bridging refers to elevated areas on your vehicle such as on the hood or side.
  2. Stop applying vinyl 10 centimeters before the edge.
  3. To avoid tension, lift the film and squeegee to the edge in one sweep.
  4. Wait until the surface is cool from the heating gun to squeegee the vinyl.
  5. Don’t stretch the film at bridging areas because it may cause shrinkage or color fading.

Tips

  • Never use wet application methods for the 3M™ 2080 series.
  • Avoid sensors or safety equipment.
  • Align vinyl to the appropriate section of your car — if needed, use masking tape to mark alignments.
  • Use a squeegee or other soft materials to avoid scratches.
  • Use a heat gun to adhere the vinyl — never use a torch.

Note: Matte finishes are prone to permanent glossing if you apply too much heat.

Pressure-Adhesives

  • Slide vinyl into correct position — easy to reposition when needed.
  • Stretch to fit rounded edges — film can stretch up to 130%.
  • The snap-up feature loses its properties if you apply strong pressure and reposition the film or if you remove the film from its original liner and reapply.

Air Release Channels

  • Allow trapped air to release through edges of film.
  • Work from the center out.
  • Channels will damage if you attempt to reapply the same liner.

How to Care for 3M™ 2080 Vehicle Wrap Film

Like most additions to your vehicle, applying vinyl is not a one-and-done process. Regular upkeep of your 3M™ 2080 Vehicle Wrap Film will keep it appearing fresh and maintained. Here is a guide on how to clean your vinyl and what to avoid.

How to Clean

  • Hand washing is ideal.
  • If you cannot hand wash your vehicle, use a brushless carwash.
  • Rinse off the top layer of dirt and grime.
  • Use hot, soapy water or other wet, non-abrasive solutions with a soft sponge to wash your vehicle.
  • Be sure to keep the pH balance of the cleaner between 3 and 11.
  • Use a squeegee to dry and prevent water marks.

What to Avoid

  • Scratching, scrubbing or any use of abrasive tools that can cut the film.
  • Harsh chemicals and brushes.
  • Parking near trees, shrubs or other objects that can scrape your vehicle.
  • Waxing and polishing matte, satin, carbon fiber, straight fiber or brushed metal finishes.

Note: If moderate scratching occurs for any reason, use a heat gun at no more than 225 F to repair the vinyl. Be careful with Satin and Matte films as over-heating can cause them to turn glossy.


Difficult Contaminants

  • Bird droppings, tree sap, bugs, pollen, etc.
  • Spot clean and soak with hot, soapy water.
  • Rinse and dry.
  • As a last resort, use isopropyl alcohol.   

Gas or Fuel Spills

  • Immediately wipe off fuel with a rag.
  • Wash, rinse and dry, same as general cleaning.

How to Store Your Wrapped Vehicle

Proper storage of your wrapped vehicle is vital to preserve the film’s durability and color. Vinyl can degrade from prolonged exposure to sun and begin lifting from acidic weather patterns. Here are simple steps for protecting your car:

  • Store in a garage or shaded area.
  • Protect your vehicle from rain that may contain acidic properties.
  • Use a cloth or cover if garage storage is unavailable.
  • Immediately have a professional remove the film to avoid staining on the car’s paint if your vinyl starts to turn brown.

Our Recommendations

While the process of applying a DIY 3M™ 2080 Series Wrap is simple, certain techniques can help ensure a seamless finish. For example, textured, metallic and color flip films may have directional characteristics. In such cases, you do not want to alternate the films lengthwise and widthwise. It can leave your vinyl looking unparalleled and unprofessional. Because colors vary depending on each manufacturer, you should use the same lot number of film for consistency.

It’s also recommended you use your vinyl film within two years from the marked manufactured date and one year after opening.

Here are a few recommended ways you can use 3M™ 2080 Vinyl Wrap:

  • Solid color vehicle detailing
  • Standard vehicle graphics, detailing and decoration
  • Multiple layered of graphics
  • Commercial vehicle and fleet graphics, emblems or striping
  • Watercraft graphics applied above the static water line only


rvinyl guy


Reviews | 426 Reviews

Avg Rating
4.80
Out of 5

Reliable as always.
by Ronald, 4.75

3/25/2024
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Looks great and is high quality on my car.
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OWNER
by JDKII, Michigan 5.00

3/17/2024
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Man, never used the 3m carbon fiber - we actually used this product. We actually die cut this for some lettering and applied it to an outline color - customers first time using this on their truck and now they want to use it on a few more.

I love this wrap
by Malachi, Georgia 5.00

3/13/2024
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Got here in 2 business days amazing quick shipping and amazing quality film

Reviews

4.80 | 426 Reviews