Tank Decals

[Digga]

Have just gone through my first experience with new tank decals bubbling & then coming of my YZ tank so now looking at a second attempt/method. I read a lot of prior threads about this & chose std decals but opted to always leave the tank empty.

Looked OK for the first few weeks & then sure enough a few small bubbles appeared even though I drained the tank each time & left the cap of (covered with a piece of stocking to vent). Then after only ~ 1 month, they just started to completely blister & now they are of. I understand what is happening with the pre-mix fuel permeating through the plastic so will try a couple of other options next.

However, it made me think, does this only happen to 2 stoke plastic fuel tanks or is it the same problem for old 4 stroke plastic tanks as well (e.g. KLX250 etc...) 

Only a question out of interest if anyone out there knows?

[PEZBerq]

Might have something to do with the adhesive used also. I have found the MXM perforated decals from the UK don't blister on my plastic Acerbis Husky tanks. They are the full coverage style so have plenty of surface area to stick to the tank. I drain the tanks as you do. I have 2 NOS tanks and one original stained tank on my bikes and the MXM decals are not bubbling on either after several years. My experience for what it's worth....

[frostype400]

I am pretty sure that 4 strokes suffer the same it's more fuel vapours leeching than oil I would say when you drain it to leave the cap off too if you have seen your plastic jerry can swell on a hot day imagine your fuel tank which can't I reckon that is a major contributor to both split tanks and bubbling decals.

I have heard people having success with super glue behind the decal or you could seal the tank with an internal tank liner then that should stop it too.

[FourstrokeForever]

Yeah, it happens with straight fuel as well, and it really pisses me off. I think the only way to get the stickers (decals in USA) to stay put on plastic tanks is to get perforated stickers so the trapped blisters have somewhere to escape.

Frostpe, is there a liner suitable for plastic tanks? I've lined metal tanks with great success but I figure the plastic tank would need some type of etch before the liner will stick to it.

[frostype400]

Pretty sure there is a liner for plastic tanks I have the one for metal tanks but I am pretty sure you can get a product to do plastic tanks.

[mick25]

I haven't tried this just a thought could you cut ,say a can of coke up and trace it same as sticker ,stick sticker to alloy sheet then stick to tank with right glue ???to work as a shield .

[tony27]

I bought the speed and sport stickers which have a foil lining for my yz465 but the first 1 I fitted was peeling off after a day so I took the other sticker & tank to a mx riding sign writer who copied it in thicker vinyl with slits in it, the slits allow the gases to pass through & there has only been very minor bubbling at the edge of the slits which is easily flattened out

In my experience these work much better than the perforated stickers & the slits don't show up in photos or unless you look closely

The bubbling stickers seem to be a mx & enduro problem only, my sherco trials bike still has the original stickers on the tank after 9 years & has no sign of bubbling, stickers are also fairly thick

[80-85 husky]

simply why I don't have stickers on riders, too much heartache! especially when the karcher sends em into the garden

[oldfart]

Presently using a brand called    "Wicked Tuff Decals "  they have an alloy foil in their sticker and they stick like shit to a blanket ....  been on for 2 years and still holding strong fingers crossed    ( Rm 400 T  )
see if I can find a link. 
Here we go...             http://stores.ebay.com/SpeedandSportGraphicReproduction/WICKED-TOUGH-Graphics-/_i.html?_fsub=16135769
 

[crash n bern]

The bubbling stickers seem to be a mx & enduro problem only, my sherco trials bike still has the original stickers on the tank after 9 years & has no sign of bubbling, stickers are also fairly thick

Some tanks are made from a different type of plastic and don't leach fuel. Those type can also be easily painted.

The tank sealer would probably be the go, it would also stop the tank from yellowing.

[Rossvickicampbell]

has anyone tried the thin coat of a "silastic" between decals and tank?

[D project]

has anyone tried the thin coat of a "silastic" between decals and tank?

Yeah, I have tried a thin smear of the black silastic underneath.
Seems to be the best solution I have had so far. Eventually they will start to bubble but I have had a good 12 months. You can always prick the bubbles before they get bad.
The silastic seems to help the decals adhere as well as give a vapid barrier.
There is a plastic tank sealer in the US I tried but I did not clean the tank well enough and it started flaking off

[steve7406]

MXM from the UK put them on my rm250t about 5 years ago no bubbles

[Viper79]

I have Zing, non perforated graphics on my RM400, they have been there since 2001 and I have MXM perforated graphics on my YZ465 and they have been there since 2004 both have no signs of bubbling.  I have put a set of wicked tough perforated on my YZ400 and they are lifting everywhere. I will be replacing them with MXM.
I also drain my fuel after every ride.

[Rossvickicampbell]

I bought an aluminium works replica tank