Installing large vinyl graphics can be hard on the body and this is especially true when it comes to the hands. Whether you’re using a torch, tiger torch, or heat gun when you’re installing your vehicle wraps, it’s easy to burn your fingers trying to tuck in areas where the paddle doesn’t fit.

A solution I found which very few sign shops incorporate, but the pros know about - uses a cotton glove to ‘soften’ the hand of the installer. The type of gloves I’m describing are the cheap cotton gloves widely available at discount stores. If you’re right-handed you would wear the glove on your left hand with either a heat element or squeegee in your right hand.

When you come to an area where the vinyl needs to be tucked in, you can gently heat the area and push down with your cotton glove hand. This works best on areas such as those found on cargo vans where you’ll find shallow 90 degree indents in the vehicle body.

One of the key benefits to using a cotton glove, is the glove provides a friction-free and soft applicator for your printed vinyl graphics. Using your hands is similar to using the hard edge side of a squeegee and it will grip the vinyl as you pass over it. This can possibly scratch the surface.

The cotton glove method isn’t exactly a high tech or expensive tool, but works very well in practice and can easily save your fingers from small burns over the course of wrapping a vehicle. Try it out on your next installation and see how well it works at your shop.