February 24, 2021 Reanne Duffy

We don't normally start here. This transformation however is so total, and so remarkable, we would like to point out that, underneath this very attractive MetaCast MDC wrap, is a particularly tired looking VW T5 that' seen a very hard life as a builder’s van…

 

Today, this very smart looking vehicle is out there promoting the interests of Pure West Radio. This broadcaster is primarily online but has its FM license and, pending developments, will be on air too very soon. We wish them luck.

 

The operators of Pure West Radio acquired a van to get their people out and about and to publicise the channel. The van was, and still is, a VW T5. The T5 seems to have achieved cult status among its aficionados. The example Pure West acquired though had led a very hard life and was covered in all sorts of battle rash, dings and little bits of peeling paint. It was sent to a local repairer for a bit of basic intervention.

 

The bigger part of the plan though was to get the van wrapped in a design produced by the station’s in-house team. They made enquiries of a few people as to where they might get the job done, and it seems that all roads, when you're that far west, lead to Milford Haven and the door of D-Sign Studio.

 

Jonathan Dudley and his team were delighted to get the call. They had a few T5s on the premises in recent history so another wouldn't exercise them too much. It turns out that, with its concentric circles and total coverage, the T5’s intended design wasn't quite as simple as thought. It was nothing that experience couldn't dominate though.

 

The design is predominantly blue, and every element of detail on it is printed. The print is flawless and it really needs to be. The application was a tricky one to start with. The geometric elements of the design needed to cut across panel features precisely and any distortion that was introduced by elongating the material needed to be disguised. Cold weather didn't help. The livery had to go onto cold panels.

 

Jon decided that the job was one he would trust to MetaCast MDC and its matched MetaGuard laminate. Being an MD-Class film the print quality would be pretty much guaranteed, and I knew we could rely on the films tolerance to elongation given its credentials as a premium cast product. The film’s MetaGlide Adhesive helped out too, offering a manageable initial tack and a powerful ultimate bond.

 

The application team met and overcame the challenges, and the finished result is a stunning example of just how effective high quality wrapping can be in disguising a modest vehicle underneath. The T5 looks like it just rolled out of the showroom. The branding is powerful and reflects the talents of the station’s design team. The wrap itself though is a great example of technical merit and it looks wonderful from any angle, including the one presented when the happy customer drove the vehicle away.