Stupid question: Vinyl wrap shocks/struts

colorado.e9x · 08-30-2019, 04:08 PM

I'm lightly considering vinyl wrapping the bodies of my shocks and struts to protect them from the elements. My fear about this idea is the heat that they generate would melt the vinyl and/or the vinyl will trap the heat inside the struts. I've heard of people putting clear bra over them but I haven't found much info on it.

What's your opinions guys? Do you agree? Disagree?

BSM n54iS · 08-30-2019, 05:20 PM

Ya I agree... stupid question

tcphoto · 08-30-2019, 05:22 PM

Seriously?

Welcome to NBA Jam · 08-30-2019, 05:47 PM

Seems like a lot of work for something that you'll need to replace anyway. Shocks are already covered in a corrosion-resistant coating.

colorado.e9x · 08-30-2019, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Welcome to NBA Jam

Seems like a lot of work for something that you'll need to replace anyway. Shocks are already covered in a corrosion-resistant coating.

They're brand new and uninstalled

, I wont be replacing them anytime soon. Thanks for the info on the coating

My coworkers Raptor has horrible rust on his which is what brought me to this question

colorado.e9x · 08-30-2019, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tcphoto

Seriously?

Why so serious?

colorado.e9x · 08-30-2019, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BdSM n54iS

Ya I agree... stupid question

Someone with humor

Thank you

NinetyEight740 · 08-30-2019, 10:20 PM

I’ve seen brake calipers wrapped before, so I think heat isn’t an issue depending on the product you use.

ny325 · 08-31-2019, 12:48 AM

Huh...

Efthreeoh · 08-31-2019, 02:41 AM

The struts and shocks don't generate much heat, so worrying about over heating the wrap or not letting the shock/strut properly dissipate heat is not a concern. A car sitting out in the sun will get far more hotter on the surface than a shock/strut could ever generate. Additionally, the chrome plated piston will dissipate the heat; the shock/strut body is already painted. Plus, I don't see how you wrap the struts with all the various tabs that are on it. You can't get any material where the bottom of the strut slides into the steering knuckle since the design already accounts for the paint thickness. The wrap would probably just wrinkle up trying to slide the strut into the knuckle. One of the reasons the shocks rust is because the paint scratches off as the strut slides into the knuckle.

All those words wasted aside, it is a stupid idea anyway

colorado.e9x · 08-31-2019, 07:37 AM

Thanks for the thoughts everyone, I'll save my leftover vinyl for another day

Bimmer_Engineer · 08-31-2019, 08:25 AM

...

tcphoto · 08-31-2019, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by colorado.e9x

Why so serious?

The shocks and struts have a finish that protects them from the elements, wrap is vinyl with adhesive so it will not wear well when exposed to road debris and the elements. I don't think that anyone notices anything except the ride height in that area.

GearHead335i · 08-31-2019, 03:17 PM

You could deff vinyl wrap your shock/strut bodies. I don’t understand why so many people feel the need to post comments with a negative tone. Do you man, and if you want to make your car different with diff color suspension components without painting them/you want to protect them, do it up! Your car, yours mods, your smiling face afterwards, no one else’s.

One tip though, when putting in the front struts into the front hubs themselves, you might want to take a prybar and open them up so you don’t rip off the vinyl when pushing them through the hub.

Efthreeoh · 09-01-2019, 06:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quinnhogue7

You could deff vinyl wrap your shock/strut bodies. I don’t understand why so many people feel the need to post comments with a negative tone. Do you man, and if you want to make your car different with diff color suspension components without painting them/you want to protect them, do it up! Your car, yours mods, your smiling face afterwards, no one else’s.

One tip though, when putting in the front struts into the front hubs themselves, you might want to take a prybar and open them up so you don’t rip off the vinyl when pushing them through the hub.

Because... the... shocks... and... struts... are... already... painted...

colorado.e9x · 09-01-2019, 09:36 AM

I already installed them lol. This was just an idea I was curious of

GearHead335i · 09-01-2019, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

Because... the... shocks... and... struts... are... already... painted...

Yeah I hear you, and agree but I feel like any time you install brand new Koni struts, 6 months-year later they are tarnished.

Efthreeoh · 09-01-2019, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quinnhogue7

Yeah I hear you, and agree but I feel like any time you install brand new Koni struts, 6 months-year later they are tarnished.

I get it, BMW owners are CDO, but come on man, paint condition of struts and shocks? One has to draw the line somewhere.

tcphoto · 09-01-2019, 12:31 PM

I can see it now, he tells the wife that he needs coilovers because the shocks are blemished and the fender liners are always dirty. Then the tires aren't large enough to cover the gap and then a larger wheel will help fill the remaining gap. But then the calipers look small so a BBK is needed. You chase a rabbit and you find yourself in a rabbit hole.

colorado.e9x · 09-01-2019, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tcphoto

I can see it now, he tells the wife that he needs coilovers because the shocks are blemished and the fender liners are always dirty. Then the tires aren't large enough to cover the gap and then a larger wheel will help fill the remaining gap. But then the calipers look small so a BBK is needed. You chase a rabbit and you find yourself in a rabbit hole.

Is this not how the majority of us think?

AllBlackBimmer · 09-01-2019, 09:41 PM

If you want to protect from rust, especially if you live where they use road salt, checkout products like Fluid Film or similar products

08-30-2019, 04:08 PM	#1
colorado.e9x eBay Special 3066 Rep 3,028 Posts Drives: E90 330xi Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Western Slope, Colorado iTrader: (1) Garage List 2007 BMW 328xi [9.50] 2006 BMW 330xi [10.00]	Stupid question: Vinyl wrap shocks/struts I'm lightly considering vinyl wrapping the bodies of my shocks and struts to protect them from the elements. My fear about this idea is the heat that they generate would melt the vinyl and/or the vinyl will trap the heat inside the struts. I've heard of people putting clear bra over them but I haven't found much info on it. What's your opinions guys? Do you agree? Disagree? __________________ Common sense is a flower that does not bloom in everyone's garden
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

08-30-2019, 05:20 PM	#2
BSM n54iS Brigadier General 2685 Rep 4,202 Posts Drives: '11 335is \| '16 Macan Turbo Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Everywhere and Nowhere iTrader: (7)	Ya I agree... stupid question __________________ '11 335is BSM MT "BMW Performance Editon" \| '16 Porsche Macan Turbo GruppeM CF Intake \| AR Resonated DP \| ER CP \| Turbosmart RacePort BOV \| Cobb FMIC \| RB Inlets \| RB External Mishi/Turner OCC \| Michelin PS4 \| BMW Performance Springs/Bilstein B8 + Dinan & M3 bits \| BMW Brembo BBK \| BMW Performance CF Spoiler \| BMW Performance CF Lip \| BMW Performance Alcantara \| PS Designs GTS Armrest \| AG H6-40 \| Rear Seat Delete
	Appreciate 2 colorado.e9x3065.50 ny325895.00 Quote

08-30-2019, 05:22 PM	#3
tcphoto Brigadier General 3537 Rep 3,049 Posts Drives: E92 335i 6MT Coupe Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Nashville, TN iTrader: (1)	Seriously? __________________
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-30-2019, 05:47 PM	#4
Welcome to NBA Jam Is it the shoes!? 3884 Rep 5,112 Posts Drives: (Sold) 2011 E92 335i ZMP 6MT Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: USA iTrader: (1)	Seems like a lot of work for something that you'll need to replace anyway. Shocks are already covered in a corrosion-resistant coating.
	Appreciate 1 colorado.e9x3065.50 Quote

08-30-2019, 10:20 PM	#8
NinetyEight740 Major General 231 Rep 5,691 Posts Drives: 2 - 2013 535i msport Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Orange County California iTrader: (2) Garage List 2010 E91 [0.00]	I’ve seen brake calipers wrapped before, so I think heat isn’t an issue depending on the product you use.
	Appreciate 1 colorado.e9x3065.50 Quote

08-31-2019, 12:48 AM	#9
ny325 Brigadier General 895 Rep 3,141 Posts Drives: Jet Black E90 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Gridlock iTrader: (0)	Huh...
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-31-2019, 02:41 AM	#10
Efthreeoh General 17309 Rep 18,733 Posts Drives: The E90 + Z4 Coupe & Z3 R'ster Join Date: May 2012 Location: Virginia iTrader: (0)	The struts and shocks don't generate much heat, so worrying about over heating the wrap or not letting the shock/strut properly dissipate heat is not a concern. A car sitting out in the sun will get far more hotter on the surface than a shock/strut could ever generate. Additionally, the chrome plated piston will dissipate the heat; the shock/strut body is already painted. Plus, I don't see how you wrap the struts with all the various tabs that are on it. You can't get any material where the bottom of the strut slides into the steering knuckle since the design already accounts for the paint thickness. The wrap would probably just wrinkle up trying to slide the strut into the knuckle. One of the reasons the shocks rust is because the paint scratches off as the strut slides into the knuckle. All those words wasted aside, it is a stupid idea anyway
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-31-2019, 07:37 AM	#11
colorado.e9x eBay Special 3066 Rep 3,028 Posts Drives: E90 330xi Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Western Slope, Colorado iTrader: (1) Garage List 2007 BMW 328xi [9.50] 2006 BMW 330xi [10.00]	Thanks for the thoughts everyone, I'll save my leftover vinyl for another day __________________ Common sense is a flower that does not bloom in everyone's garden
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-31-2019, 08:25 AM	#12
Bimmer_Engineer Lieutenant Colonel 1044 Rep 1,667 Posts Drives: 2007 335i Join Date: May 2018 Location: Louisiana iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 Porsche Boxster [0.00] 2016 Mercedes Benz ... [0.00] 2007 BMW 335i [9.50]	... Attached Images
	Appreciate 1 colorado.e9x3065.50 Quote

08-31-2019, 03:17 PM	#14
GearHead335i Lieutenant 147 Rep 538 Posts Drives: E90 335i xDrive LCI Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Southern New Jersey iTrader: (1)	You could deff vinyl wrap your shock/strut bodies. I don’t understand why so many people feel the need to post comments with a negative tone. Do you man, and if you want to make your car different with diff color suspension components without painting them/you want to protect them, do it up! Your car, yours mods, your smiling face afterwards, no one else’s. One tip though, when putting in the front struts into the front hubs themselves, you might want to take a prybar and open them up so you don’t rip off the vinyl when pushing them through the hub.
	Appreciate 1 Brandoch461.50 Quote

09-01-2019, 09:36 AM	#16
colorado.e9x eBay Special 3066 Rep 3,028 Posts Drives: E90 330xi Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Western Slope, Colorado iTrader: (1) Garage List 2007 BMW 328xi [9.50] 2006 BMW 330xi [10.00]	I already installed them lol. This was just an idea I was curious of __________________ Common sense is a flower that does not bloom in everyone's garden
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-01-2019, 12:31 PM	#19
tcphoto Brigadier General 3537 Rep 3,049 Posts Drives: E92 335i 6MT Coupe Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Nashville, TN iTrader: (1)	I can see it now, he tells the wife that he needs coilovers because the shocks are blemished and the fender liners are always dirty. Then the tires aren't large enough to cover the gap and then a larger wheel will help fill the remaining gap. But then the calipers look small so a BBK is needed. You chase a rabbit and you find yourself in a rabbit hole. __________________
	Appreciate 1 colorado.e9x3065.50 Quote

09-01-2019, 09:41 PM	#21
AllBlackBimmer Colonel 815 Rep 2,869 Posts Drives: 2019 X3 m40i Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: USA iTrader: (-1)	If you want to protect from rust, especially if you live where they use road salt, checkout products like Fluid Film or similar products __________________ 2019 X3 m40i:Carbon Black:Executive:Premium:Adaptive:Vernasca:699M:HK: Ambient:IND trim:M Mirrors:15mm spacers:Maxton lip:20% tint windows/pano:dsg paddles:TLG mudflaps 2008 328i E90 Jet Black:6MT:RWD:Premium:Sport:Xenon:MTEC V3 AEs:Front Splitters:CF spoiler:19" VMR FF v710
	Appreciate 1 colorado.e9x3065.50 Quote