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(July 2008) posted on Thu Jul 17, 2008

A behemoth beer can enjoys the full-wrap treatment.

By Paul Roba

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We’ve all seen the exponential growth of the wrap market, where well-designed graphics can transform a mundane surface into something fantastic. Wraps offer great opportunities for advertising and personal customization because almost anything can be wrapped, from motorcycles to cars, vans to big rigs, sidewalks and walls to buildings. The wrap provider’s creativity and ingenuity pose the only limitations.

Dave Leach has always been surrounded by larger-than-life, unique items. His father’s collection includes a 5,300-lb. anvil and one of the first, diesel-converted pickup trucks from 1965. Now, Dave was eager to have a world’s largest or most unique item for himself.

When a friend told Dave a giant beer can was up for auction on eBay, Dave jumped at the chance and acquired it. Dave brought the can home; it was black, mounted to a trailer and in pretty rough shape. Originally made from a steel drainpipe with fiberglass ends, the can measured 21 ft. long and 8 ft. in diameter.

He and a friend spent more than a year of their free time sanding, welding and buffing to prepare the can for decoration. After he completed the repair work, Dave clearcoated the can to protect it from the elements and provide a ready surface for decal application.

Graphic choices

When your family collects “world’s largest” items, where can you turn to create what you hope to be the largest beer can in the world? Paint it? No, wrap it! In this case, Leach contacted Road Rage Designs (Spring Grove, IL, and two satellite locations), which boasts more than 40 years of graphic experience and extensive vehicle-wrap knowledge, eagerly accepted the challenge.

Dave also called the G. Heileman Brewing Co. and explained his vision; Heilieman eagerly supported his dream and provided an ample artwork selection. Dave chose to replicate a ’70s-era, Heileman’s

Old Style beer can because it’s a Chicago tradition and his father’s beer of choice for many years.