It’s been a busy summer for us here at NWAS. We’re building up quite the backlog of automotive awesomeness to share with you all as we move closer to the cold months, make fixes to our site & continue polishing in the process. As a way of categorizing projects of the past that have yet to hit the web, we’ll be starting to share old content under the new heading of “Past Due.” From here on out, if you’re looking for something you might have missed, or a certain car feature that may have gone overlooked, simply click the “PAST DUE” tag at the bottom of the article & browse around.
To start off PAST DUE, we’re taking a look back on one of the first full coverage vehicle wraps we completed earlier this year on a hardtop Honda S2000, including doorjambs & all! As many of you already know, the S2K is a lightweight, 2 liter roadster that was produced from ’99 to ’09, with a namesake that carried the same displacement connotations as the Honda S500, 600, and 800 roadsters of the early 1960s. It has grown in popularity over the years among import & driving enthusiasts alike, largely due in part to its balanced handling dynamics, high output engine, and vast assortment of available aftermarket upgrades.
The S2000 that came to us for a full satin metallic black vehicle wrap was just one example of the many directions an owner might take with modifications, but a good one at that. A little goes a long way with an S2K — sporting a nice set of Enkei wheels, vented carbon fenders, a Spoon-styled hard top & clean front kit was the perfect combination for this little convertible.
The S2000 that came to us for a full satin metallic black vehicle wrap was just one example of the many directions an owner might take with modifications, but a good one at that. A little goes a long way with an S2K — sporting a nice set of Enkei wheels, vented carbon fenders, a Spoon-styled hard top & clean front kit was the perfect combination for this little convertible.
First things first, we moved the Honda into the wash bay for a thorough 24-step hand wash & began prepping all the surfaces for wrap vinyl installation. When staging for any vehicle wrap, it’s absolutely vital that the vehicle is as clean as possible to ensure zero chance of any film failure or contaminants making their way into the installation.
First things first, we moved the Honda into the wash bay for a thorough 24-step hand wash & began prepping all the surfaces for wrap vinyl installation. When staging for any vehicle wrap, it’s absolutely vital that the vehicle is as clean as possible to ensure zero chance of any film failure or contaminants making their way into the installation.
With the car all cleaned up, Blake & Ivan began disassembling every inch of the S2000’s exterior components. Beyond surface prep, another one of the keys to a great install is dis-assembly. In order to wrap jambs & cover every inch of the car to the fullest extent, we always remove door panels, pull bumpers, and try to strip the car down to bare as much surface area as possible. It’s a time consuming step, but the end result is worth the effort!
With the car all cleaned up, Blake & Ivan began disassembling every inch of the S2000’s exterior components. Beyond surface prep, another one of the keys to a great install is dis-assembly. In order to wrap jambs & cover every inch of the car to the fullest extent, we always remove door panels, pull bumpers, and try to strip the car down to bare as much surface area as possible. It’s a time consuming step, but the end result is worth the effort!
Once everything was stripped off the outside, Tim began the arduous process of patterning & inlaying vinyl to the door jambs. Wrapping doorjambs is by no means a quick & easy process, even the most skilled installers require extra time and take great patience with the practice to ensure the installation won’t fail with a little wear & tear.
Once everything was stripped off the outside, Tim began the arduous process of patterning & inlaying vinyl to the door jambs. Wrapping doorjambs is by no means a quick & easy process, even the most skilled installers require extra time and take great patience with the practice to ensure the installation won’t fail with a little wear & tear.
The satin metallic black film that was chosen for the installation was a really solid pick on the client’s part. Not too much sheen, just enough sparkle, and the perfect color range of flake produce a nice, deep, silky luster. We haven’t seen another satin metallic black like it on the market! It’s currently only offered by a European film producer who will remain nameless for the time being, and although it came with a high cost, the surface quality was superb.
The satin metallic black film that was chosen for the installation was a really solid pick on the client’s part. Not too much sheen, just enough sparkle, and the perfect color range of flake produce a nice, deep, silky luster. We haven’t seen another satin metallic black like it on the market! It’s currently only offered by a European film producer who will remain nameless for the time being, and although it came with a high cost, the surface quality was superb.
After getting the door jambs all buttoned up, Tim moved on to covering the mirrors & smaller components.
After getting the door jambs all buttoned up, Tim moved on to covering the mirrors & smaller components.
Once the little stuff had been handled, it was time to get stretching. Carefully working the vinyl back over the hind end & into the wheel wells, the guys massaged every inch of the S2000 towards completion.
Once the little stuff had been handled, it was time to get stretching. Carefully working the vinyl back over the hind end & into the wheel wells, the guys massaged every inch of the S2000 towards completion.
After a majority of the larger, flat surfaces & body panels had been covered, Blake & Tim moved on to patterning the gaping bumper ducts & wide mouth around the grill before carefully stretched one large piece of satin black over the front bumper to seal it all up.
After a majority of the larger, flat surfaces & body panels had been covered, Blake & Tim moved on to patterning the gaping bumper ducts & wide mouth around the grill before carefully stretched one large piece of satin black over the front bumper to seal it all up.
The S2000 started to look much more put together with the all the body panels freshly wrapped. Piece by piece, it was shaping up to be a real head turner.
The S2000 started to look much more put together with the all the body panels freshly wrapped. Piece by piece, it was shaping up to be a real head turner.
One of the trickiest components to wrap in this install was the large, Spoon style hardtop roof. It took a lot of heating & stretching to get it all laid down seamlessly in one piece, but the guys made it happen.
One of the trickiest components to wrap in this install was the large, Spoon style hardtop roof. It took a lot of heating & stretching to get it all laid down seamlessly in one piece, but the guys made it happen.
While the car was stripped down, we took the liberty of cleaning & reconditioning the leather seats with some essential oils & protection creme to help prevent more cracks & wear from getting worse. Weathering is hard to avoid with any drop top convertible, but every little bit helps.
We can’t stand seeing some foggy headlights ruining an otherwise clean wrap installation, so something had to be done about the equally weathered lamps on the S2000. Blake got down to business clearing them right up!
We can’t stand seeing some foggy headlights ruining an otherwise clean wrap installation, so something had to be done about the equally weathered lamps on the S2000. Blake got down to business clearing them right up!
To ensure the hardtop would function the best it could, we went ahead & replaced all the weather stripping around the edges as well.
To ensure the hardtop would function the best it could, we went ahead & replaced all the weather stripping around the edges as well.
To finish it all off, Tim cut out some custom window surrounds to mask them cleanly, and applied a new NWAS script sticker for the rear window.
To finish it all off, Tim cut out some custom window surrounds to mask them cleanly, and applied a new NWAS script sticker for the rear window.
Time to refit the roof — Brian & Blake carefully hoisted the hard top over the Honda & lined everything up, ensuring the new weatherstripping would be holding back any unwanted moisture from the interior. With the roof back on & the car fully re-assembled, it was finally ready for a photo shoot in the studio!
Time to refit the roof — Brian & Blake carefully hoisted the hard top over the Honda & lined everything up, ensuring the new weatherstripping would be holding back any unwanted moisture from the interior. With the roof back & the car fully re-assembled, it was finally ready for a photo shoot in the studio!
The finished product is nothing short of menacing. It’s wild how much a new exterior finish can change the presence a vehicle has, and the satin black metallic film really worked wonders for making this hardtop S2000 feel like a completely different animal.
The finished product is nothing short of menacing. It’s wild how much a new exterior finish can change the presence a vehicle has, and the satin black metallic film really worked wonders for making this hardtop S2000 feel like a completely different animal.
Before, the mismatch of painted body panels & exposed carbon fenders almost seemed to cheapen the appeal of the little import tuner. Now, this S2K looks battle-ready & more show worthy than ever before, whether it’s turning laps at a track day event or just hard parked outside a local burger spot.
Before, the mismatch of painted body panels & exposed carbon fenders almost seemed to cheapen the appeal of the little import tuner. Now, this S2K looks battle-ready & more show worthy than ever before, whether it’s turning laps at a track day event or just hard parked outside a local burger spot.
Jamb wrapping is tricky on any vehicle, and the S2000 was no exception. Despite tight working quarters in the jambs themselves & plenty of curves, this Honda came out clean without any glaring seams or exposed paintwork. Pop open a door, and any untrained eye will think think it’s a factory finish!
Jamb wrapping is tricky on any vehicle, and the S2000 was no exception. Despite tight working quarters in the jambs themselves & plenty of curves, this Honda came out clean without any glaring seams or exposed paintwork. Pop open a door, and any untrained eye will think think it’s a factory finish!
The little bits of carbon we left exposed offer just enough to draw the eye in, but not drown out the wrap with excessive weave. Sometimes people can go a little overboard with carbon accents, but that’s not the case here. The minimal approach & metallic nature of CF blends nicely with the flake in the film, making a loud statement but not overpowering the look.
The little bits of carbon we left exposed offer just enough to draw the eye in, but not drown out the wrap with excessive weave. Sometimes people can go a little overboard with carbon accents, but that’s not the case here. The minimal approach & metallic nature of CF blends nicely with the flake in the film, making a loud statement but not overpowering the look.
We’re quite satisfied with the way this S2K came together. It was a time consuming installation, but it might knock the matte red Supra wrap out of the top spot on our list of favorite JDM projects we’ve completed. Sound off in the comments below & let us know what you think of the finished project!
We’re quite satisfied with the way this S2K came together. It was a time consuming installation, but it might knock the matte red Supra wrap out of the top spot on our list of favorite JDM projects we’ve completed. Sound off in the comments below & let us know what you think of the finished project!
For more information on vehicle wrap services here at NorthWest Auto Salon, head over to our wrap section & check out the wrap FAQ. Want to get your personal vehicle wrapped up with a wild film option? Shoot us an email to schedule a free wrap consultation & let’s get started!