Decal application

FastDoc · 02-18-2013, 05:36 PM

I damaged one of the 'KAWASAKI' decals on the left radiator shroud of my KLX with the powerwasher.

I know, be careful. I am, and I usually don't even use it on the body but the decal tore anyways. May have not been a good one to begin with. :roll:

In any event I ordered an OEM repalcement ($30 8O ) ans it's fairly big and I don't want to screw it up.

I want to use a homemade decal application fluid I got the recipe for on line. 1 drop handwashing soap, 1 teasopoon isopropol alcohol, and 8oz water in a spray bottle.

My concern is won't this ruin the glue? Is this a good adea? Any other tips?

TIA gentlemen. :wink:

**cheesy** · 02-18-2013, 06:08 PM

Sounds good to me, Doc, but I wonder about the purpose of the alky.

We use just a 'this looks good mixture' of liquid hand soap and water in a spray bottle at the shop. Wet the surface good, position the decal, smooth it with a squeegee, have a cup of coffee. We use a cheap plastic bondo spreader for a squeegee. A hunk of plastic milk carton works, too.

Hope this helps.

FastDoc · 02-18-2013, 06:12 PM

Sounds good but I don't see how the glue 'sets up' when it's wet. Just wondering.

**cheesy** · 02-18-2013, 07:20 PM

My best guess is that the glue isn't so much activated as it's just there. The water and soap just provides a frictionless film that allows the decal to be positioned. When the excess water and air is squeegeed out, the minimal film left behind evaporates and the decal is stuck in place.

I just know that it works and the amount of decals I waste has dropped to nil. Just make sure the surface is clean and smooth.

FastDoc · 02-18-2013, 07:43 PM

OK that's what I'll do! Thanks.

I know I'd be pissed if I wadded up a $30 decal...

MICRider · 02-18-2013, 08:48 PM

Wayne made some of us decals for our Beast ATV's a way's back... He even did an instructional video on how to apply them on here. I'll have to see if I can find the video, it was pretty good

Woot! I actually found it!

Will wonders never cease? Here's waynev's instructional video on applying decals. Not sure if the decals are the same type as yours Doc but he does use a lubricant and a squeegee to apply them. I applied mine to his directions and they turned out great! 8)

http://s646.beta.photobucket.com/use...l?sort=3&o=151

FastDoc · 02-19-2013, 12:36 PM

I forgot about that video! Thank you! :P

Wayne very generously made the custom 'Dirt Rat' decals for my original XR200R with the Lifan engine. They went on well and held up great.

SpudRider · 02-20-2013, 07:39 PM

That was a great video!

Spud

FastDoc · 02-20-2013, 09:29 PM

I'm gonna assume the glue on decals is all about the same and the same technique applies.

SpudRider · 02-21-2013, 12:07 AM

I don't know for sure, but I think that's a safe assumption. :?

Spud

FastDoc · 02-21-2013, 11:35 AM

I debated removing the other side's decal. Symmetry by subtraction

except I really like the way the bikes looks stock.

MICRider · 02-21-2013, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FastDoc

I debated removing the other side's decal. Symmetry by subtraction

except I really like the way the bikes looks stock.

Hear hear!

In this day and age when everybody is peeling the decals for the "clean" look I have to admit, I love the decals! Breaks up the lines and gives the bike a little pizzazz!

FastDoc · 02-22-2013, 11:41 AM

I like a fine balance.

You may recall when I bought my YZF it was heavily 'adorned'. I replaced all the plastic with new and gave the good condition decaled plastics to a friend with a same year WR. He loved them, and I applied a minimal amount of OEM type graphics to my 'refurbished' YZF and love the way it looks now.

FastDoc · 02-22-2013, 12:07 PM

I though you guys would appreciate my bike washer.

Weldangrind · 02-22-2013, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FastDoc

I though you guys would appreciate my bike washer.

Didn't notice a bike.

02-18-2013, 05:36 PM	#1
FastDoc Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southeastern Washington desert Posts: 14,761	Decal application I damaged one of the 'KAWASAKI' decals on the left radiator shroud of my KLX with the powerwasher. I know, be careful. I am, and I usually don't even use it on the body but the decal tore anyways. May have not been a good one to begin with. :roll: In any event I ordered an OEM repalcement ($30 8O ) ans it's fairly big and I don't want to screw it up. I want to use a homemade decal application fluid I got the recipe for on line. 1 drop handwashing soap, 1 teasopoon isopropol alcohol, and 8oz water in a spray bottle. My concern is won't this ruin the glue? Is this a good adea? Any other tips? TIA gentlemen. :wink: __________________ Happy to serve.
	0

02-18-2013, 06:08 PM	#2
cheesy Moderator Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Elburn, IL Posts: 6,124	Sounds good to me, Doc, but I wonder about the purpose of the alky. We use just a 'this looks good mixture' of liquid hand soap and water in a spray bottle at the shop. Wet the surface good, position the decal, smooth it with a squeegee, have a cup of coffee. We use a cheap plastic bondo spreader for a squeegee. A hunk of plastic milk carton works, too. Hope this helps. __________________ Cheesy ______________________________________ 07 Hi Bird Enduro-Flown the Coop 07 Ural Gear Up 79 Honda CX500 77 VeloSolex 4600 V3 73 VeloSolex 3800 I'm making this up as I go.-Indiana Jones Telling me something 'is for my own good', is a fast way to a fat lip.-Me I don't even care about my own problems, why should I care about yours?-Quote on one of my favorite t-shirts
	0

02-18-2013, 06:12 PM	#3
FastDoc Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southeastern Washington desert Posts: 14,761	Sounds good but I don't see how the glue 'sets up' when it's wet. Just wondering. __________________ Happy to serve.
	0

02-18-2013, 07:20 PM	#4
cheesy Moderator Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Elburn, IL Posts: 6,124	My best guess is that the glue isn't so much activated as it's just there. The water and soap just provides a frictionless film that allows the decal to be positioned. When the excess water and air is squeegeed out, the minimal film left behind evaporates and the decal is stuck in place. I just know that it works and the amount of decals I waste has dropped to nil. Just make sure the surface is clean and smooth. __________________ Cheesy ______________________________________ 07 Hi Bird Enduro-Flown the Coop 07 Ural Gear Up 79 Honda CX500 77 VeloSolex 4600 V3 73 VeloSolex 3800 I'm making this up as I go.-Indiana Jones Telling me something 'is for my own good', is a fast way to a fat lip.-Me I don't even care about my own problems, why should I care about yours?-Quote on one of my favorite t-shirts
	0

02-18-2013, 07:43 PM	#5
FastDoc Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southeastern Washington desert Posts: 14,761	OK that's what I'll do! Thanks. I know I'd be pissed if I wadded up a $30 decal... __________________ Happy to serve.
	0

02-18-2013, 08:48 PM	#6
MICRider Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 3,274	Wayne made some of us decals for our Beast ATV's a way's back... He even did an instructional video on how to apply them on here. I'll have to see if I can find the video, it was pretty good Woot! I actually found it! Will wonders never cease? Here's waynev's instructional video on applying decals. Not sure if the decals are the same type as yours Doc but he does use a lubricant and a squeegee to apply them. I applied mine to his directions and they turned out great! 8) http://s646.beta.photobucket.com/use...l?sort=3&o=151
	0

02-19-2013, 12:36 PM	#7
FastDoc Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southeastern Washington desert Posts: 14,761	I forgot about that video! Thank you! :P Wayne very generously made the custom 'Dirt Rat' decals for my original XR200R with the Lifan engine. They went on well and held up great. __________________ Happy to serve.
	0

02-20-2013, 07:39 PM	#8
SpudRider Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Idaho Posts: 25,054	That was a great video! Spud __________________ Spud "Never argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level, and beat you with experience." Mark Twain 2015 Zongshen ZS250GY-3 (RX3) 2006 Zongshen ZS200GY-2 (Sierra 200) 2005 Honda XR650L 2004 Honda CRF250X 1998 Kawasaki KDX220 Mods made to my Zongshen ZS200GY-2: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=6894
	0

02-20-2013, 09:29 PM	#9
FastDoc Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southeastern Washington desert Posts: 14,761	I'm gonna assume the glue on decals is all about the same and the same technique applies. __________________ Happy to serve.
	0

02-21-2013, 12:07 AM	#10
SpudRider Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Idaho Posts: 25,054	I don't know for sure, but I think that's a safe assumption. :? Spud __________________ Spud "Never argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level, and beat you with experience." Mark Twain 2015 Zongshen ZS250GY-3 (RX3) 2006 Zongshen ZS200GY-2 (Sierra 200) 2005 Honda XR650L 2004 Honda CRF250X 1998 Kawasaki KDX220 Mods made to my Zongshen ZS200GY-2: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=6894
	0

02-21-2013, 11:35 AM	#11
FastDoc Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southeastern Washington desert Posts: 14,761	I debated removing the other side's decal. Symmetry by subtraction except I really like the way the bikes looks stock. __________________ Happy to serve.
	0

02-22-2013, 11:41 AM	#13
FastDoc Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southeastern Washington desert Posts: 14,761	I like a fine balance. You may recall when I bought my YZF it was heavily 'adorned'. I replaced all the plastic with new and gave the good condition decaled plastics to a friend with a same year WR. He loved them, and I applied a minimal amount of OEM type graphics to my 'refurbished' YZF and love the way it looks now. __________________ Happy to serve.
	0

02-22-2013, 12:07 PM	#14
FastDoc Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southeastern Washington desert Posts: 14,761	I though you guys would appreciate my bike washer. __________________ Happy to serve.
	0