Hi. Can anyway recommend me to a site that does vinly stickers, rather than actual tank pads, that are safe to put on the paintwork? Wanna put something on the small spine of my 749, to stop me groin rubbing the paint to death (oooh errr etc etc lol). I cut down a tank pad, warmed it up nicely and stuck it on, but is lifting already at the bottom (think the curve of the tank is too much), so thought a vinyl? graphic may do the trick instead? Thanks any assistance. Andrew.
I have just been playing around with some CF vinyl wrap on my SS tank as a protector..........on a relatively single curved surface it seems OK, but hell, it's a b*****d round a double curve.......... I was trying to do a wide 'Y' shape so it would cover up some marks left by the previous carbon fibre one....the ends of the Y just wouldn't go round without creasing, so I now I have centre spine (which has gone OK) plus two shaped large dot type things either side and even they were a sod which I think will lift. AL
Thx for replies. Have ordered some 3m clear film - think that may be pliant enough to stay on (and hopefully strong enough to do the necessary protection job).
If your wrapping 3d shapes use a small hot air gun or a good hot hair dryer and you'll get the curves without creases....it does take patience tho.
The piece I've cut to protect the area is very small - just a bit bigger than a credit card as that's all that really needs covering. Hopefully as its so small it should be ok - just need to wet the plastic and the area on bike with the supplied solution and then stick it on so hopefully being a top notch master mechanic I can just about do this!! But then again...
Watch out for finger prints on the back of the vinyl, they'll show through. At that sort of size I probably wouldn't even bother with the 'special solution' (read washing up liquid) spray, it's only really useful for moving big sheets around to align them into position and it helps when you squeegee the bubbles out, neither of which should be a problem at that size.
I'm not convinced that the vinyl wrap I have used will stay flat when the hot sun gets on it........After all, if it goes all floppy when heat is used to get it to mould to shape, then its going to have the potential to move again when it has got hot again...... AL
Lol... That would leave a whole host of cars, bikes and signwriting around the world melting and moving AL. Maybe I don't see it happening cause we don't get to see the sun.
I'll let you know what happens with my CF vinyl wrap tank protector when the sun comes out!!! So far inside the workshop, a gentle warming with a hairdryer sees the edges of the damn stuff puckering up. Thats despite the tank paint surface having been T-Cut, washed down with soap and water, wiped over with isopropol alcohol and washed again.....(and allowed to dry) What I also notice is that when it gets warm/hot, if you have a difficult bit to do, it's very easy to pull the glue with the fingertips, so not only does one area have no glue, but you also get a small bump under the vinyl where that bit of glue has bunched up.....(but no air bubbles because the quality of the wrap is quite good apparently) AL.
Cheers - will prob spray just a touch, just in case of finger prints - wet hands also? Is there anything readily available in usual household to remove grime etc to ensure a good "stick" or just shove it on?!
Yeah spray a bit on the tips of your fingers too, but again at that size you can just hold it by the edges. Methylated spirits will remove any silicone type polishes and crap before you apply it.
Sho nuff........the awkward bits all lifted little folds around the edges in the hot sun...................made some smaller ones now which have stayed in place because the complex bends have been iginored.......looks OK, but doesn't relly serve the purpose for which they are intended other than to cover up marks left by a genuine carbon fibre one. AL
All done - the small piece I put on appears to be fine. Took a deal of squeegeeing but once water all off it appears to be nice and secure (will advise if it lifts). Looks good and should stop further rubbing!
Will do! Give us a few days as my vast bike mechanical skills are sadly mirrored in my forum / photo adding abilities! Is good though - all you see is a very faint outline
Here's mine......I tried to make it one piece but the left and right top edges would not mould properly, so I gave up and added two 'spots' instead. AL
