FlipSide Graphics’ Trailer Wrap Provides Plenty of Bull

Gold Medal Ranch enlisted FlipSide Graphics (Wausau, WI) to outfit a trailer, which hauls professional bullrider Fred Boettcher’s competition “transport,” with a full wrap. FlipSide has been a longtime supplier for Gold Medal, but this was the first wrap the shop has executed for one of its hauling trailer, FlipSide’s Russ Voigt said.

“They provided me with a vector template of the trailer, which included dimensions,” he said. “I took measure-ments to make sure they were accurate. We considered using 3M’s Controltac IJ181, which is designed especially for stainless-steel applications, but, with the corrugations, we decided [3M IJ180c-10] air-release media would be best for the job.”

The client provided a logo from a previous job, which FlipSide had also created, and updated Gold Medal’s trailer-sales logo. To create the toro en fuego (bull in flames), Voigt tweaked a JPEG the client furnished and made the bull’s and flame’s proportions match the trailer’s dimensions.

To begin the wrap application, FlipSide’s installers cleaned the surface with Xylol, a slow-evaporating solvent, and used a propane torch to burn away residual oils. They completed prep with a 70% isopropyl-alcohol wipedown.

The shop produced the wrap on 3M Controltac with Comply media, which it printed on a Mimaki JV33-160 SP solvent-ink printer. 3M’s 8519 luster-finish overlaminate prepares the trailer for the long ride. To install the wrap over the numerous corrugations, Voigt and Alicia Mehre used felt squeegees and 3M’s V-Cat deep-channel film applicators.

“The corrugated sides weren’t too difficult,” Voigt said. “The biggest challenge was installing individual panels so the seams aligned across the surface.”

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According to Voigt, bull rides weren’t part of FlipSide’s compensation for the job.