OzVMX Forum

Clubroom => Tech Talk => Topic started by: James Lee on January 29, 2012, 04:02:23 pm

Title: Wicked tough decals falling off,what have I done wrong?
Post by: James Lee on January 29, 2012, 04:02:23 pm
I fitted some wicked tough decals to my YZ400.These are supposed to be great for not peelling etc but mine are basicly falling off.I emptied the tank and let it sit for 3 days,cleaned with turps and applied.The next day I noticed them lifting a bit,now after 3 weeks they are coming right off.I thought I had done everything right,they didnt come with any instructions.Any advice?How does everyone else prepare their tanks?
Title: Re: Wicked tough decals falling off,what have I done wrong?
Post by: oldfart on January 29, 2012, 04:30:49 pm
Instructions are on thier web site
http://stores.ebay.com/SpeedandSportGraphicReproduction/Graphic-Installation-Movies.html
Title: Re: Wicked tough decals falling off,what have I done wrong?
Post by: Tahitian_Red on January 29, 2012, 06:22:34 pm
Mine came off also.  I didn't get them stretched right around the curvature of the tank.  At the points where they started to lift I cut them with a razor blade and heated them.  It looked like I had them beat, but the next day they popped back up, so I just tore them off and threw them in the trash can.
 :(
Title: Re: Wicked tough decals falling off,what have I done wrong?
Post by: James Lee on January 29, 2012, 07:05:53 pm
Looks like Ill be doing the same,should have just bought some el cheapos.
Title: Re: Wicked tough decals falling off,what have I done wrong?
Post by: Davey Crocket on January 29, 2012, 08:08:47 pm
The MXM ones on my RM250T have been there for 10 years. ;)
Title: Re: Wicked tough decals falling off,what have I done wrong?
Post by: Rossvickicampbell on January 30, 2012, 09:53:17 am
I put some WT ones on my sons 83 125 and they were brilliant?
Title: Re: Wicked tough decals falling off,what have I done wrong?
Post by: suzuki447 on February 03, 2012, 02:34:54 pm
hi mate i do all my tank stickers with silicone,first empty tank let dry inside wipe over where stickers going then get a 2inch putty knife and smear clear glazing silicone 1mm thick over area and on back of sticker too then gently lay them in position and with a rag with some water on it smooth it out till any lumps are gone when looks good a little turps around edge too clean excess off ,it works great ,i punch a few 2mm holes with leather punch to breath and all good they stick out just a little but they dont come off.silicone wont be affected by petrol.mine been on for yrs.
Title: Re: Wicked tough decals falling off,what have I done wrong?
Post by: Viper666 on February 03, 2012, 03:25:55 pm
Problem is the Turps, oil based. Basically when it dries it leaves a film of oil.

I use paint thiners. WHAT I hear you all say! It will melt the plastics. Yes thinners, trick is to Wipe on, Wipe off. (Thank you Mr Takynara)
Does an excellent job of cleaning & evapourates away leaving no residue.
In fact I do my final clean of motor parts as well. Disolves years old threebond like nothing.
Also have sprayed that glue from a can, let tack off then put the stickers on. Clean up residue with whatever back back sure your stickers are the sealed type. Or spray direct to stickers
Title: Re: Wicked tough decals falling off,what have I done wrong?
Post by: Maicojames on February 05, 2012, 02:19:42 am
How about using rubbing alcohol ? I have used it on both plastic and polished aluminum tanks to apply decals with success.
Title: Re: Wicked tough decals falling off,what have I done wrong?
Post by: HVA61 on February 05, 2012, 07:01:26 am
Wax and grease remover is the best option we have used.

This is basically a less agressive mix similar to paint thinners . Available at all good automotive paint / repair product distributors.

Leaves absolutley no residue. Wipe on , wipe off  application
Title: Re: Wicked tough decals falling off,what have I done wrong?
Post by: popeye on February 05, 2012, 07:21:58 am
Best thing l have found is to put a sealer in the tank, they call them a tank kit, it will seal the tank from breathing and will stop any sticker's from coming off, the kit cost's about $80 and you do it yourself it is not hard, l had the same trouble with the Clarke fuel tank on my CR, after doing this no more trouble........  all plastic tank's do breathe through the side's especially when they are left half full or less...
Title: Re: Wicked tough decals falling off,what have I done wrong?
Post by: gwc162 on February 05, 2012, 07:49:26 am
Before I add stickers I clean the area with brake cleaning spray, best I have found also good for parts.
Title: Re: Wicked tough decals falling off,what have I done wrong?
Post by: Rossvickicampbell on February 05, 2012, 09:34:35 am
agree - wax and grease remover is brilliant - if applied early enough it is able to remove overspray also  ;D
Title: Re: Wicked tough decals falling off,what have I done wrong?
Post by: James Lee on February 06, 2012, 09:43:52 am
Their online steps mention that some YZ tanks are prone to creases lifting due to the tank curving both ways and say to cut the crease with a sharp razor,bit of a contridiction really,guaranteed never to bubble or come off.Ive fitted many grafic kits to modern bikes and never had this problem,I just checked and it was metho that I had used not turps so it shouldnt have left a residue.Where the grafics have lifted it has left the sticky residue on the tank and seperated from the sticker so the glue has grabed but looks as though the sticker has failed.
Title: Re: Wicked tough decals falling off,what have I done wrong?
Post by: dkupf on February 06, 2012, 07:18:26 pm
I found that if you use soapy water to put them on and you put too much soap in the water ::) they tend to start to lift after a short time.Darcy
Title: Re: Wicked tough decals falling off,what have I done wrong?
Post by: Tim754 on February 06, 2012, 07:30:50 pm
Try using limp wristed, wussy decals instead?
Title: Re: Wicked tough decals falling off,what have I done wrong?
Post by: James Lee on February 13, 2012, 06:40:49 pm
What are wussy decals?
Title: Re: Wicked tough decals falling off,what have I done wrong?
Post by: Canam370 on February 13, 2012, 07:04:13 pm
What are wussy decals?

Ones that say "Honda"? :o ::)
Title: Re: Wicked tough decals falling off,what have I done wrong?
Post by: Tim754 on February 13, 2012, 07:17:17 pm
What are wussy decals?

 Never been called a wuss? Well then a wuss is a person of strong credibility , high morals ,great physical strength and an all round positive leader. ;)
Unlike some,that post things like  "Ones that say "Honda"

I give up ::)   
Title: Re: Wicked tough decals falling off,what have I done wrong?
Post by: James Lee on February 14, 2012, 08:52:19 am
I can honestly say Ive never been called a wuss,not to my face anyway ;)Not too sure why my question about decals makes you think Im a wuss.Whats the joke,do the hard men of VMX not run decals or something?
Title: Re: Wicked tough decals falling off,what have I done wrong?
Post by: TM BILL on February 14, 2012, 08:56:44 am
I can honestly say Ive never been called a wuss,not to my face anyway ;)Not too sure why my question about decals makes you think Im a wuss.Whats the joke,do the hard men of VMX not run decals or something?


Jeezusss forkin titty christ, lighten the fork up  ::) Whats the opposite of wicked tough decals ? couldn't possibly be limp wristed wussy decals could it ?

Na that would be to obvious a joke wouldn't it  ::) ::) ::) ::) ::)
Title: Re: Wicked tough decals falling off,what have I done wrong?
Post by: Tim754 on February 14, 2012, 09:22:10 am
Hence the "I give up"

 OK Stickers do not breath,You get a build up of various chemical gases in minute quantities between tank and sticker. This leads to pressure or chemical reactions lifting the sticker, precursing the intake of atmosphere leading to more hygroscopic absorption of airborne chemicals. That is on a stationary tank ,yours at times is rough motion and being subjected to stretching rubbing and  many other violent forces, compounding the loss of adhesion. If it is a metal tank or fiberglass (unlikely )get a competent airbrush job painted on it ,if it is plastic your stuffed as ALL plastic tanks actually breathe via osmosis through their shells.
Title: Re: Wicked tough decals falling off,what have I done wrong?
Post by: James Lee on February 14, 2012, 10:11:49 am
OK I get it now,good one.Sorry I took it personally.That will teach me for logging on before my morning coffee.