Best Heat Guns For Wrapping

So, you would like to use vinyl film to customize your car. Wow! That’s a great upgrade to the car’s look. But there are other ways you might want to use a vinyl wrap. For example, to adorn walls or create a mobile billboard.

Anyway, if you are reading this paper, this means you are looking for the best heat gun for vinyl wrap.

A vinyl heat gun provides a strong stream of heat that helps get rid of wrinkles and bubbles when applying the film and allows sealing the edges of the wrap. Use the heat gun for the post-heat process or remove the vinyl wrap.

But how to choose the optimal one? There are so many heat guns for vinyl wrapping out there that you may feel absolutely confused. I will answer this and other important questions in detail here.

Types of heat guns for vinyl wrap

There are cordless and corded heat guns out there. Just as the name implies, corded devices are attached to the energy source (usually a plug) with a cord. The length of the cord is a critical parameter to consider, as it may limit your range of motion if it is too short.

Cordless devices are equipped with a battery, frequently a rechargeable one, and operate without a cord. The battery capacity defines how long you will be able to use the tool on a single charge. It is more convenient as you do not get tangled in the cord and can use it wherever you want.

However, you can find more heat gun for shrink wrap types of heat guns on the market. Let me briefly describe each of them.

• Gas – relies on propane and butane gas to emit heat
• Electric – works from an electric source of energy
• Infrared – uses infrared heat to produce a stream of heat.

Best Heat Guns for Wrapping Reviews

Best corded heat guns

DEWALT D26960K – best corded heat gun

Do you believe that it’s high time to equip yourself with a professional heat gun? You are lucky to find this DEWALT D26960K.

Being lightweight and compact (only 2.3 lbs), this device is a superior option for numerous activities, including vinyl wrapping. It provides up to 1100 F of max temperature output to ensure you can perform any action without issues. The tool has built-in overload protection shuts, which prevent the chance of burning up. The cord is 10 ft long to ensure you can get as far as you want and reach any place without any trouble. Besides, the cable is covered with a special protective layer to prevent it from any damage or impact. An LCD screen shows the set parameters and allows you to regulate the temperature within 50-degree increments.

Compared to the cordless model of this brand (DEWALT DCE530P1), this heat gun is much more powerful – 1550 W. It also comes in a box for storage convenience and includes more than 10 accessories to help you perform different tasks.

This heat gun comfortably rests in hand. I used it for several hours, and my hand didn’t hurt. The LCD is very helpful when regulating the temperature. Compared to a turn dial, this is a fantastic option. But mind that the display shows temperature only in Fahrenheit. There is nothing wrong with that, but it would be really nice to have a Celsius option as well.

PORTER CABLE PC1500HG – budget corded

PORTER corded PC1500HG heat gun model is a reasonably priced device that would allow you to apply a vinyl film as well as perform other tasks that require heating.

This mini heat gun offers a dual fan speed option, which allows you to use the device with low- and high-speed settings. Thanks to 1500W, the item is powerful enough to tackle almost any heating task. You can easily regulate the temperature using an ergonomic dial. The heat gun is only 2 lbs, so you won’t be fatigued when using it.

Compared to DEWALT D26960K, this model has a shorter cord – 6 ft. However, this is enough for operating the item connected to the plug. It also features a special support stand for hands-free use, which is not available in DEWALT’s model. Besides, the PORTER heat gun is twice as cheap as the DEWALT tool, so this might be a defining factor for you.

Wagner FURNO 500

Giving your car a new fancy feel is easy with Wagner FURNO 500. This corded vinyl wrap heat gun will enable you to apply vinyl to your car’s service effortlessly. At the same time, due to the 12 temperature settings from 150°F to 1200°F, you can use it for other applications like tinting windows, removing caulk, or shrinking window sealing. I like that this device heats up very quickly, actually faster than the Porter Cable PC1500HG. That is why I will recommend being careful to avoid burns on your skin or surfaces. One more thing I find appealing is the option to choose between two fan settings and a cool-down mode.

This heat gun comes with two nozzles (glass protector and flare), which are enough for a wide range of applications. Moreover, the use of this tool is quite convenient thanks to the graphic LED screen with push-button control. Besides, it’s as powerful (1500 Watts) as Dewalt D26960K, so working on your project won’t take ages. In addition, Wagner FURNO 500 is light and comfortably sits in your hand, enabling you to hold it for an extended time. You will also love the integrated stand, which makes a hands-free operation possible. However, I wish this heat gun to come with a case for easier storage.

The instruction booklet reads that you may notice some smoke when you use this device for the first time due to the burning of some factory oils. Even though the smoke did not last long, it still spread in the room and had an unpleasant smell. So keep this in mind and be prepared for it. I had no similar incidents during my other uses of this tool.

Best cordless heat guns

DEWALT DCE530P1 – best cordless heat gun

DEWALT 20V MAX* cordless heat gun is a true godsend if you are looking for a practical and ergonomic device.

This item is equipped with a DCB205 5Ah battery, which ensures 42 minutes of uninterrupted work per charge. The maximum output temperature of this heat gun is 990 F. This is enough to deal with applying the vinyl wrap, stripping paint, and tackling other tasks that do not require extremely high temperatures. But if you are taking on heavy-duty projects, you may feel that the item is not powerful enough to meet your needs. Also mind that it might take time for the heat gun to heat up to the maximum temperature point.

The peculiar feature of this model is a lock-on trigger that allows for hands-free use. Besides, you will love a LED footlight that will ensure greater convenience when using the tool in dark areas. On top of that, the device features a flat nozzle and a hooked nozzle attachment to let you work with different surfaces.

Compared to PRULDE NHG0140, the DEWALT DCE530P1 looks almost similar. Both devices have nearly the same characteristics, but the PRULDE tool has more nozzles in the set (4 compared to 2). The major difference lies in the duration of the operation. DEWALT unit works much longer, while there are significant issues with the battery life of the PRULDE heat gun.

All in all, I enjoyed using this DEWALT cordless heat gun. It’s ergonomic and has two fan speed settings, which makes it great for a wide range of activities. Just like all cordless tools, this one has a significant disadvantage – it is not as powerful as a corded one. Moreover, this item heats slowly, and it seems that there is not enough air to push out the heat. Honestly, I expected a more robust heat output.

PRULDE NHG0140 – budget cordless

PRULDE 20V Max cordless heat gun is a budget-friendly alternative to DEWALT DCE530P1, which has quite decent characteristics and will bring more convenience to your work.

This automotive heat gun has a compact cordless design, making it an excellent tool for working in any environment. It delivers up to 1022F of max temperature output, which is more than the DEWALT model. 20V Max Lithium-Ion battery ensures continuous operation and enables rapid recharging. It features a lock-on mechanism to ensure you can use the tool hands-free. There are four nozzle attachments in a set, so you are free to use the tool for a wide range of applications, including vinyl wrapping, paint stripping, cell phone repairs, and more.

This PRULDE heat gun has nearly identical characteristics as the DEWALT DCE530P1, although it offers a bit higher max temperature point. However, the price difference between these models is very significant.

PRULDE NHG0140 fits the hand perfectly. The handle grip is pleasant to the touch and is easy to grab. It’s light and not bulky, so I had no trouble using it at a high altitude. It heats up really fast, and I especially liked the nozzles that came with the tool. However, mind that this heat gun might not be too powerful for you, especially if you are planning to use it for high-performance tasks. The battery doesn’t last long either, so get ready to recharge it frequently.

What to look for when choosing a heat gun?

Adjustable temperature range

If you planning to use this device for multiple purposes, you’d better consider variable temperature heat guns.

Most heat guns cover the temperature range of 120F – 900 F. So, if you are not planning to involve the unit in a serious job and need a heat gun for vinyl wrapping, a standard device will do. Let me remind you that the optimal temperature range for applying the film is between 125-195F.

You might want to deal with plumbing, paint stripping, and other heavy-duty tasks using the heat gun. In this case, it would be a wise decision to go with the tool that has the 120F – 1290F temperature range.

Fan speed control

If the area the heat gun can cover is crucial, you should check the fan speed feature. The device with lower fan speeds is great for accurate and precise work. At the same time, a more powerful tool is capable of distributing heat over the larger area without temperature reduction.

In our case, a heat gun with higher fan speeds would be a better option since you will want to cover more area in less time.

Built-in LCD or LED displays

Not all heat guns have LCD or LED displays. Perhaps, you won’t need this feature since its presence will add to the price of the tool.

If you are planning to use the heat gun for simple tasks and in-home use, you might be satisfied with the tool that is not equipped with a display.

But in case you aim at having utmost control over the operations and settings, you should invest in the heat gun that features a display. It enables you to set a more precise temperature or other parameters that are critical for your project. What is more, you will be able to do it effortlessly with one click on the screen. That’s a great advantage when your hands are dirty or oily, and you can’t use the switcher.

Nozzles included

Nozzles are indispensable for accurate and neat work, as they distribute the heat over the right area of the surface. This enables you to maintain the proper temperature range and cover the desired spots with little effort.

There are numerous nozzle options, and you might need a specialized one if you are planning to take on extraordinary projects. But there are standard nozzles like a reducer (enables to focus heat on a definite spot), flat (is suitable for big areas), glass protector (allows stripping off the paint from the window without heating glass), and more.

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