Bit of Graphics advice

[Bruce CurtisMember]

I have never put new full graphics on a bike before, stickers yep, but these full tank cowl graphics are thick and large, so whats the go?

firstly I have stripped all the old ones off, tank and cowls are removed, washed in warm soapy water, cleaned and scrubbed. The problem is Aust Post gave my new Graphics a bit of a bendy ride, so while not creased they are a bit “wavy”. the graphics are now on the table with heavy books on them to try to straighten them out, was thinking of running them under the iron with greaseproof paper on top? and also thinking of putting the tank/cowls in the sun for a while with the graphics.
So whats the hot tips fellow denizens of the top paddock?

bruce Cee

[GregMember]

Rat has a interesting trick I think its a soapy / metho mix, I have used soapy water and a spray bottle and a heat gun with a low setting.

Factory Phil uses the dry method and a heat gun and he does good work

Goggle it, I will also text Rat and get him to post his method

TB

[Anonymous]

They’re a bitch to put on. Take you’re time that’s my little nugget of wisdom!

[scott bockingMember]

It is the one use I have for a hair dryer. If you get them hot the bend will come out and they will be much more pliable.

[Bruce CurtisMember]

Moto wrote:

Quote:

They’re a bitch to put on. Take you’re time that’s my little nugget of wisdom!

Hey Moto how’s the trip?

Thanks so far Lads, I’ve done the google thing to bits including factory effex useful (not much) video, was thinking about my infamous heat gun, but the hairdryer would be a better thing methinks, hopefully Mr Rat will give me the Skinny on the soapy water thing, sounds like it maybe like the “tint method” but I’ll wait, have time anyway, radiators not going to ber fixed until next Monday anyway, the local aluminium radiator magician is on holidays ATM.

yeah I’m being patient, waited 2 days so far to get to this stage, cause this is new territory for me, a bit of caution is well heeded my fine PDS sprung world traveller..

BC

[DavidMember]

Sorry for the late reply I went to the HVMCC Club meeting tonight
The easiest way I have found is the soap and metho method, the metho helps the water evaporate out later
Get a 500 ml spray bottle and put about 100 mls of methylated spirits and 400 mls of water, lastly you want to put a squirt or two of hand soap into the mix, don’t go over board with the soap, shake it up and squirt some on your hands and if it is slightly slimy your there, if it is all suds and white , too much soap, if it does not feel slimy at all too much spirits or not enough soap.
Put down an old towel because it is a wet process at the beginning, thoroughly clean the plastics and do worry about drying, get the plastics and spray all over them where the sticker is going, get the graphics and peel off backing and wet them down as well, you can now put the decal on and slide it gently around getting the position correct, when happy get a hair drier and heat the outer surface, don’t stress about the excess water underneath yet, when the decal is warm and pliable start from the center and squeeze out , water will come out from the edges and the edges wont stick straight away, keep alternating from squeezing from the center to heating with hair drier, the idea is to take your time and work from the center, the good thing about this is if yo get 80% of the way through and its not right you can peel it straight off and wet up and start again, the better graphics will be easiest to peel off repeatedly where as the cheaper ones are not as forgiving so the cheaper ones need lots of patience, I will usually take 3-4 hours to do 1 full bike Lastly do not stress the plastic out by installing straight away, cure the decal in the sun, I find a day or two in the sun is fine, I have also stood it in front of a gas heater and rushed it a bit, but be careful of too much direct heat as damage may occur.

So there you have it
Decals 101 the easy way
Enjoy

If anyone wants to know what are some of the best brand graphics I have used , PM me

[Bruce CurtisMember]

Thanks heaps Mr Rat, and that’s how I’m gunna do it now seems like the go, especially for an unco blind in one eye dimwitted individual like myself. These ones are factory Effex tank/cowl and airbox ones, seem really thick (shall call them Menace ) too. I had to “help” a tank corner out last night with a heat gun as it had deep scratches where the old graphics had peeled and something had gouged the tank, but all better now.

Bruce

[Bruce CurtisMember]

So far so good, 1 side of tank done, the sticker is easy to work using Mr Rats methods.

Bruce C

[DavidMember]

cool Bananas Mr Blue, keep your patience and all will be good

[Bruce CurtisMember]

To be honest after doing both cowls and the tank, I’m not sure I’d invest in factory Effex brand graphics again, the tank graphics are not the best cut & fit and the cowl ones don’t go far enough forward and yet have a bit of trimming to be done at the top to be a good finish.

But the method Mr Rat describes is the bees knees, no bubbles, no problems.

BC

[DavidMember]

Thanks mate and your welcome , even though you are deluded by blue:)

[Anonymous]

Nice work Bruce and Dave!! That method sounds like a very good way to go about things. I wish I had seen that before doing mine. Try putting decals over the 20 or holes on each shroud of an 08 KTM :angry:

You’ll have to post a pic of this infamous YZWR when it’s finished Bruce so we can drool

[Author]

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