Topic: applying decals

[pae]

I've got some genuine Honda wing decals for my re-painted tank, now looking for someone to confirm how to apply them. I've heard tales of 'using soapy water' but how does it work. I assume the decals are tacky (yes/no?) and you put a small amount of soapy water on the tank to allow you to move it about a bit? Then what? Use a squeegee or soft cloth, work away from the centre to push out the water? Leave it in the sun to dry out?

How strong are the decals - I don't want to rip them if I squeegee them. I recall ones in model aircraft kits are pretty flimsy, but I guess these are a bit stronger.

A few pointers, please. These decals (genuine) ain't cheap and I've spent ages on the tanks finish. Really don't want to screw it up now. 



regards, Phil

[736cc]

Spray some GLASS PLUS window cleaner on tank and position the decals (don't use WINDEX which has ammonia), use a credit card to flatten decal. If an air bubble won't flatten, a pin prick will fix it.

[SteveD CB500F]

Are they supposed to be laquered (clearcoated) over?

[Gordon]

Are they supposed to be laquered (clearcoated) over?

If they're going to last, they'll need to be. 

[pae]

Are they supposed to be laquered (clearcoated) over?

Yes. Will be once they're on, just want to get them on properly at the moment.

regards, Phil

[Bodi]

I've always used a few drops of dish soap in a cup of water, spray or wipe some on the tank or whatever then peel the decal and dip it in the mixture. This lets it slide around for you to position it exactly.
Then squeegee from the centre, I just put a strip of electrical tape over the edge of a credit card for a scratch-free squeegee. Pinprick any bubbles and press with a kleenex to absorb the water bubble. Let it dry for a few days before clearcoating. The decals are fairly strong, I've only used aftermarket ones but OEM are probably much the same.

[pae]

Thanks Bodi, that sounds just how I imagined it. I konw I'll find out when i get on with it, but are the decals very sticky?

regards, Phil

[mcpuffett]

Hi Phil, heres a few pics from when i did my 750 tank decals , they were sticky on the back  , cheers mick.

[gregk]

I had a friend ( panel beater) apply mine as I too was a little reluctant to mess up good decals.  He didn't use any soap ( he claims he would if the decal was large like the hood of a firebird).  He just eyed them up and let the decal just touch the panel.  He then stood back and checked for level and straight.  If the decal is not exactly where it should be, you can remove it and reapply.  He claims that you have two chances at this then the decal will stick for good. 

[Jinxracing]

I've used soapy water and glass cleaner in the past...the glass cleaner turned out to be a bad idea. The solvents in the glass cleaner weakened the adhesive on the decal so that it started to lift after a few months. A few drops of dish soap in a spray bottle filled with water works great as mentioned previously. If you can't squeegee out all of the air bubbles, the tip of a sharp x-acto knife blade leaves a cleaner hole than a pin.

[goon 1492]

I've always used a few drops of dish soap in a cup of water, spray or wipe some on the tank or whatever then peel the decal and dip it in the mixture. This lets it slide around for you to position it exactly.
Then squeegee from the centre, I just put a strip of electrical tape over the edge of a credit card for a scratch-free squeegee. Pinprick any bubbles and press with a kleenex to absorb the water bubble. Let it dry for a few days before clearcoating. The decals are fairly strong, I've only used aftermarket ones but OEM are probably much the same.

+1 That is pretty much how its done we use some stuff called splash or if we are out we use watered down Dawn dish soap, did I mention I work in a sign shop(I run a cnc machine and vinyl plotter), the soap helps to buy u time on positioning the sticker and also helps to squegee the air and any missed dirt out  
I would go with a sharp exacto instead of pin too, a finer hole will be made from the exacto

[Lumbee]

...hey Mcpuff, where'd u get u'r tank decals?

[BobbyR]

Are they supposed to be laquered (clearcoated) over?

Actually I saw a new bike that had been resprayed to the customers desired Yellow. When they clearcoated over the same tank decal, the decal now looks like Ghosting.

[mcpuffett]

Hi i got my decals from these guys   http://www.reproductiondecals.com/default_frameset.html?content.html~main,       cheers mick.

[techy5025]

I hope you can still get the decals from them. Honda sued all the decal makers for trademark violations. I would suggest you call them rather than go by whats on their website.

Jim

[Chicago550]

They still sell them. I ordered a set of CB 750 tank stripes 2 months ago. They will even make them in custom colors (you have to buy to sets for this service though). They looked great. For application, just dip the entire decal in the soapy water solution then use a squeegee to get most of the bubbles out. Then go at it with a heat gun (CAREFULLY) along with the squeegee to get all the bubbles out. You won't need the pin or exacto this way.

[pae]

Well, they're on but I'm not that please with the result TBH. The area which should be clear to see through to the base colour isn't very clear at all. Every new bike I've seen in the dealers are OK - is it because I have a very light colour that they show a bit cloudy? You can see between the black feathers on the wing. Also, I didn't use any soapy water as I'd marked up the position with tape and was happy to lay them against that and apply direct. I don't think the soapy water does anything other than allow you to place the decal so that shouldn't change anything.

Anyway, they're on, but I wish I'd bought some vinyl ones off ebay on a carrier paper and just used those. Now they are on they are well stuck, so although I'd rather take them off and bin them, I'm a bit concerned about getting them half off and ending up with a right mess.

I probably will replace them, but for now they're on. Live and learn 

anyway, the stripes are ace!   

regards, Phil