Wicked tough decals falling off,what have I done wrong?

[James Lee]

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?

[oldfart]

Instructions are on thier web site
http://stores.ebay.com/SpeedandSportGraphicReproduction/Graphic-Installation-Movies.html

[Tahitian_Red]

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.
 

[James Lee]

Looks like Ill be doing the same,should have just bought some el cheapos.

[Davey Crocket]

The MXM ones on my RM250T have been there for 10 years.

[Rossvickicampbell]

I put some WT ones on my sons 83 125 and they were brilliant?

[suzuki447]

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.

[Viper666]

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

[Maicojames]

How about using rubbing alcohol ? I have used it on both plastic and polished aluminum tanks to apply decals with success.

[HVA61]

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

[popeye]

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...

[gwc162]

Before I add stickers I clean the area with brake cleaning spray, best I have found also good for parts.

[Rossvickicampbell]

agree - wax and grease remover is brilliant - if applied early enough it is able to remove overspray also 

[James Lee]

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.

[dkupf]

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