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So here's my idea to fix a faded decal

  • Thread starter Thread starter t3rmin
  • Start date Start date
T

t3rmin

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So I've got the usual clearcoat-bubbling-over-the-decals issue on my new 700. It's not horrible except for one grapefruit-sized spot where the clear flaked off and the exposed decal has taken some weathering. Simply re-clearing it won't be enough.

Not being able to find anyone who stocks reproductions for this bike, and being too lazy and cheap to have some custom made, here's what I'm going to try...

I scanned a portion of the red from the sidecover. I'm going to print it out on my inkjet printer, adjust the color, print, adjust, until it prints out just like the real thing (especially checking color match under various lighting). Then I'll get some peel-away sticky printer paper, print a whole solid page of that color, cut out the decal with x-acto knife, spray it with some stronger adhesive, stick it on, and clearcoat over the top. The decal is a fairly simple large diamond shape, basically, not a thin stripe or anything, so it should be pretty easy to duplicate.

Inkjet inks are pretty good these days with regard to fade resistance and such. I made some t-shirts with this printer that hardly faded at all after much time and washing. Plus it should be well protected under a coat of clear. And the peel-away sticker paper should be just the right thickness after peeling-away.

I guess I'll also have to sand off the old one. Gotta figure out how to do that without damaging the surrounding white pearl paint.
 
Here's another possibility: I once took my gas tank to a vinyl sign maker who was able to duplicate the stock decals almost perfectly. That was at least ten years ago and the decals look as good as new today.

Thanks,
Joe
 
I didn't think ink jet ink was adequately fade resistant for prolonged direct exposure to the sun. Epson has some more UV resistant ink for printing photos but even at that I'm not sure how long it will last. Even if you sorted out the graphics to your satisfaction I don't think you are going to reasonably be able to "sand off" the old graphics without cutting through somewhere forcing a repaint. I'd say to just leave well enough alone until you are ready to do a complete repaint.
 
Need to remove old graphics? Heres your answer.
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...group_ID=13078&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog
(using the optional "eraser," not the wire brush. I know you probably dont have 400 dollars to buy one of these but if you could find someone with one, It would work amazingly for getting your old graphics off without wreaking your paint. My father has one and uses it for removing old ambulance graphics when old rigs are either refurbished or sold to the public.
Heres an article where its used so you can see it in action.
http://www.streettrucksmag.com/content/view/43/38/
 
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