Where to get a kit box shrink wrapped?

[Ben]

Does anyone know where I can take a kit to get it shrink wrapped? No, I'm not trying to swindle someone, it's model kit I cherish and I want to shrink wrap it to protect it.

[Draggon]

Fed Ex?

[XJ6]

LHS ?

[iBorg]

A couple of things.....

Some printing companies have a shrink wrap tunnel. They MIGHT do it although I'm doubtful. That part of their operation typically stays busy.

At one time you could buy something similar in the craft section to wrap Easter baskets. Finally, you could get shrink film window insulation.

[Rob McKee]

The hobby shop I go to has a shrink wrapper. They use it to shrink wrap model like Airfix and Revell of Germany that don't come shrink wrapped. They found these type of kits opened and either parts or the entire contents of the boxes had been removed.

[The70judgeman]

There are kit box sized protective plastic containers for just such a thing.

[crazyjim]

Maybe the deli at a local grocery store?

[cobraman]

I thought I saw some film somewhere that you used to wrap you item and then hit with a blow dryer to shrink to fit. Can't remember where it was. You could just use the stretch wrap they use for pallets and or just plain Saran wrap from the grocery store. It would do the same thing.

[Ben]

Thanks for the tips guys, I'm checking them as you suggest them but no luck yet. I really want it to look like the factory shrik wrap the model companies use so everything is still visible and it doesn't constrict the box. Micheals sells the wrap itself but I don't own a hair dryer. By the time I buy a hair dryer, I could just havbe it wrapped. LOL

[sjordan2]

Thanks for the tips guys, I'm checking them as you suggest them but no luck yet. I really want it to look like the factory shrik wrap the model companies use so everything is still visible and it doesn't constrict the box. Micheals sells the wrap itself but I don't own a hair dryer. By the time I buy a hair dryer, I could just havbe it wrapped. LOL

1. Once you buy a heat gun (more reliable than a hair dryer for this type of application) you've got it to use time after time. Hpw many times do you need to do this? Are you trying to fool someone into believing they're receiving a factory shrinkwrapped kit?

2. Where can you have someone do it? Uhhh...try Google for your area.

[Ben]

1. Once you buy a heat gun (more reliable than a hair dryer for this type of application) you've got it to use time after time. Hpw many times do you need to do this? Are you trying to fool someone into believing they're receiving a factory shrinkwrapped kit?

2. Where can you have someone do it? Uhhh...try Google for your area.

Yes, I'm buying kits and taking them out of the box and then filling the box with cow cookies. I need to shrink wrap them so my victims.....I mean...buyers won't smell the cow cookies.

I did try Google first as I always do but Google didn't know what Cow Cookies were.

For further information on this, please refer to my initial post that clearly says "no, I'm not trying to swindle someone, I have a kit that I cherish and want to protect"

[sjordan2]

Yes, I'm buying kits and taking them out of the box and then filling the box with cow cookies. I need to shrink wrap them so my victims.....I mean...buyers won't smell the cow cookies.

I did try Google first as I always do but Google didn't know what Cow Cookies were.

For further information on this, please refer to my initial post that clearly says "no, I'm not trying to swindle someone, I have a kit that I cherish and want to protect"

Okay, got it. I apologize. If you want to make a practice out of this, as I did when I worked at an office that had shrink wrapping equipment, you can get the wrap in rolls (you need to check the size you want). The rolls are double-sided so you can slide the object in between the sides, creating an envelope. You'll need a roll holder with a heat lever that seals the edges, then use the heat gun to shrink the wrap.

This is what we used. No idea about price, but it's a basic system for those who do regular shrink wrapping. You need to be very careful about choosing the proper length for the plastic rolls for your kits, because you're screwed if the rolls are too short. Practice with baggies or saran wrap before ordering.

http://www.adss.net/ShrinkWrapMachines/I-bar-Shrink-Wrapper-Bag-Sealer-and-Heat-Gun-c24_54-p178.htm

Edited December 16, 2012 by sjordan2

[signguy2108]

Hey Ben, I never got back to you about the wheels. Had to spend my money on a hairdryer!

[IMSANUT]

There is another issue to consider here. Shrink wrap continues to shrink over time. It's power can be surprising too. We've all seen photos of vintage kits where the top is bowed in.....that's do to the plastic shrink skin continuing to shrink. So, any of you who still listen to LP records, and MAY still have shrink wrap on it slit to allow the record out.....remove the wrap or your precious lp WILL WARP.

[sjordan2]

There is another issue to consider here. Shrink wrap continues to shrink over time. It's power can be surprising too. We've all seen photos of vintage kits where the top is bowed in.....that's do to the plastic shrink skin continuing to shrink. So, any of you who still listen to LP records, and MAY still have shrink wrap on it slit to allow the record out.....remove the wrap or your precious lp WILL WARP.

True. In the past, I've tried to put loose parts or unwrapped sprues in shrinkwrap, and the wrap does tighten up over time. For some small parts, I've put them on poster board, then wrapped them, with no problem. I've also simply made loose baggies by sealing the edges without shrinking the plastic, and no problem there.

The heat gun also lets you control how tightly you wrap the box. You use the same technique of even passes that you use to spray paint a car body, and you can stop at any time. If you heat the wrap too much and get it too tight, holes will start to appear in it.

Edited December 17, 2012 by sjordan2

[JunkPile]

I smell cookies

[wisdonm]

Try that shrink wrap that home improvement stores sell to cut drafts on windows. It's made to use with a hair dryer.