Rivas Technology Group | Alta Labs AP6-PRO Outdoor Custom Wrap

:artist_palette: Turning “Too White!” into “Just Right” — Wrapping Alta Labs AP6-PRO Outdoor for the Perfect Match

Hey everyone — Ivan from Rivas Technology Group here.

We recently had one of those projects where a client’s design eye met our technical patience. The job originally called for white outdoor gear — white speakers, white APs, clean modern vibe. Then halfway through, the client repainted the entire home dark gray with black trim.

And suddenly… the once “sleek white” Alta Labs AP6-PRO Outdoor became the big white dot nobody could unsee. :sweat_smile:
(We’ve all been there — you finish a job and the client’s color palette decides to move to the dark side.)

:light_bulb: The Challenge:

Make the Alta Labs AP6-PRO blend in beautifully with the new all-black exterior — without affecting heat dissipation or RF performance.

The AP6-PRO’s aluminum base doubles as its heat sink, so covering that up was a big no-no. We needed a clean, durable solution that only affected the top plastic radome.

:brick: The Solution:

We went with Type S premium cast vinyl (Matte Black) — the same professional-grade film used in automotive and marine wraps.

We also considered top-tier options like:

  • 3M™ Wrap Film Series 2080

  • Avery Dennison® SW900 Supreme Wrapping Film

  • Oracal® 970RA / 951 Premium Cast

Why cast vinyl?
Because it’s made as a liquid, cast into a super-thin (~2 mil) stable film. It flexes perfectly over curved surfaces (like the AP6-PRO’s shell) with a little heat, won’t shrink, and stands up to years of UV and weather.

:gear: The Process:

  • Wrapped only the top radome — left the aluminum heat sink untouched.

  • Used a digital heat gun, precision knives, and squeegees for a perfect contour fit.

  • Post-heated to around 220°F to set the film memory.

  • Cleaned and prepped with isopropyl alcohol (≥90%) beforehand.

The result? Factory-quality matte black that looks like it shipped that way from Alta Labs.

:satellite_antenna: Performance Check:

  • RF: No interference — cast vinyl is non-metallic and fully transparent to Wi-Fi signals.

  • Thermal: No overheating since the base remains fully exposed. The black color adds a few degrees under direct sunlight, but the AP6-PRO handles that easily.

:bullseye: The Result:

Now the AP6-PROs disappear perfectly against the dark siding — right alongside the black outdoor speakers (yep, we swapped those too :upside_down_face:).
What started as a “just match the trim” request turned into a full aesthetic upgrade — and honestly, it looks incredible.

:toolbox: Pro Tips for Other Installers:

  1. Only wrap the plastic radome, never the metal base.

  2. Use cast vinyl, not calendered.

  3. Heat gently to shape (~180–200°F) and post-heat to set (~220°F).

  4. Avoid wrapping vent holes or LED indicators.

  5. Inspect after a few days for any edge lift — especially outdoors.

:speech_balloon: Takeaway:

Sometimes the best projects happen when plans change midstream. :wink:
Wrapping an Alta Labs AP6-PRO Outdoor isn’t just about looks — it’s about delivering a clean, professional result that meets the client’s new vision without sacrificing performance.

At Rivas Technology Group, we always aim for that balance: form, function, and a little bit of fun along the way.

:telephone_receiver: Want to Chat or Collaborate?

We love swapping tips and ideas with other Alta Labs installers.
If you’ve got creative solutions or want to see our full process, reach out — we’re happy to share notes.

Ivan Rivas
Rivas Technology Group

ivan@rivastechgroup.com

12 Likes

This looks great!

3 Likes

So clean! Thanks for sharing @rivastechgroup1

2 Likes

@rivastechgroup1 how long did each one take to wrap?