| Shrink wrap can help protect and organize a gift fruit | | | | films exist to wrap boats. Films are heavy duty so |
| basket, but if your gift is a boat and not a fruit | | | | that the boats can be stored during cold winters and |
| basket, do not fear. Boats can be shrink wrapped | | | | can be purchased in blue, white, or clear. Shrink wrap |
| too, using the same technology. | | | | for boats can also protect a boat from prolonged |
| Shrink wrap systems use a plastic film, typically made | | | | periods in warm weather. A special chemical in the |
| of PVC, Polyolefin, or polyethylene. The plastic film is | | | | polyethylene film keeps them soft, flexible, and |
| wrapped around an object to protect it from | | | | protects the film from breaking down in UV light. |
| moisture, dirt, and other hazards of travel or storage. | | | | Films can be up to 35 feet long and can cost |
| The plastic film is heated to conform to the shape of | | | | between $100 and $400. Instructional videos are |
| the object. Shrink wrap systems may be small and | | | | available for about $20. With the right training and |
| inexpensive, used by a home businessperson, or | | | | equipment, a boat can be shrink-wrapped in under 10 |
| large, automated machines costing tens of thousands | | | | minutes. Simply wrap the boat and walk along the |
| of dollars. DVDs, CDs, videos, artwork, mailers, | | | | boat with a propane-powered heat gun to shrink the |
| newspapers, and packages are commonly shrink | | | | film. A heat gun costs about $300. |
| wrapped before transport. | | | | The same plastic used to shrink wrap a boat may |
| Shrink wrapping a boat, however, presents unique | | | | also be used on RVs or cars for outdoor storage, or |
| challenges. A boat is large and cannot be fit through | | | | on buildings to contain the dust, dirt, or asbestos |
| an automatic shrink wrap machine. Special shrink wrap | | | | during remodeling projects. |