MATKAT
Registered user
now I have my new P/D tank what are the tricks to put the very expensive tank decals on with out messing up. Help advice greatly appreciated 
applying tank graphics
- Thread starter MATKAT
- Start date
MATKAT said:now I have my new P/D tank what are the tricks to put the very expensive tank decals on with out messing up. Help advice greatly appreciated
To cover my own ass and as a guide I send out the following when I supply Tank & or helmet stickers,it's not a definitive guide by any means
take the bits you need from it 
1; To remove the old stickers apply some heat, a kettle of hot (not boiling) water poured over the graphic to be removed will soften it, use a fingernail or craft knife blade to “start” the peeling process to remove the original graphic.
2;Clean the area with methylated spirits or similar to remove all oil/dirt & glue/adhesive residue.
You may want to consider using a light “cutting” compound such as “T-Cut for metallic paint" or similar if removal of the old graphic reveals the tank paint finish to have “weathered” or aged.
3; Tank graphics are “handed” left & right, study pictures/photo’s to ensure correct fitment.
4;With the graphic attached to “masking tape” Carefully remove the graphic from the shiny paper, apply the masking tape-with graphic attached to the tank/bike part,alignment is important-as you may only get ONE attempt to place the graphic correctly!
Rub the graphic with your fingertips; ensure good contact by applying pressure to all edges and outlines of letters/numbers and shapes.
If required use a credit card to expel any air bubbles from beneath the surface of the graphic, and finally, carefully and slowly remove the masking tape and ensure good contact/adhesion.
Regards,
Steve.
MrIFan
Registered user
Profesional sign makers use a spray before afixing the decal which allows you to smooth out any creases and also to slide it around untill in the right spot. Once everything is in place you give it a scrape over with a squeege type thing to expell the excess fluid and leave for an hour or so to dry. Sure a quick Google will turn up the spray to use, I know it is a cheap and simple household item (think it may be some type of window cleaner but not sure) so will be easy to get.
HTH
Ian
HTH
Ian
Why not take it to a bodyshop and get then to do it, on the understanding that if they muck it up they'll have to foot the bill for replacements?
Just a thought.
Just a thought.
Fred...use a chinagraph pencil (one of your eyeliners will do...if yours aren't to hand, borrow one of Sue's 
) and mark the place you want them carefully, or maybe use a couple of strips of masking tape to get the lines right.
As for the spray stuff, I believe that might just apply to the sort of decals that aren't sticky...remember the airfix kit stickers??
You used to wet the surface with water and until it dried, you could slide the decal around easily....I don't think it'd work with any stuff to make a glued sticker slide around , but as usual, may well be totally wrong
If it's not really obvious exactly where you want them, I'd be inclined to scan the stickers and print out a copy in colour on plain paper, thern cut out carefully and stick them on the bike with Blue tack until you're happy with the location, then you could chinagraph a few location points to make it easy to get the actual stickers in the right place.
Anything sticky sticks stickier on warm things, so after cleaning off the surface (your nail varnish remover is perfect, but again if you can't find yours, borrow Sue's) warm the surface with a hair dryer.....(er, better use Sue's, I doubt you have one of those
)
HTH
B
) and mark the place you want them carefully, or maybe use a couple of strips of masking tape to get the lines right.As for the spray stuff, I believe that might just apply to the sort of decals that aren't sticky...remember the airfix kit stickers??
You used to wet the surface with water and until it dried, you could slide the decal around easily....I don't think it'd work with any stuff to make a glued sticker slide around , but as usual, may well be totally wrong
If it's not really obvious exactly where you want them, I'd be inclined to scan the stickers and print out a copy in colour on plain paper, thern cut out carefully and stick them on the bike with Blue tack until you're happy with the location, then you could chinagraph a few location points to make it easy to get the actual stickers in the right place.
Anything sticky sticks stickier on warm things, so after cleaning off the surface (your nail varnish remover is perfect, but again if you can't find yours, borrow Sue's) warm the surface with a hair dryer.....(er, better use Sue's, I doubt you have one of those
) HTH
B
Teddy
Guest
When I stick graphics on I always start by placing them on with masking tape to get their placement exact before peeling them off the backing paper.
Then I have a small spray bottle, similar to a household spray dispenser, filled with water and a little washing up liquid. Not a lot just a small squirt in a litre of water.
Spray on the water mixture then apply the graphic. Do not press on too much at this stage as yiou want to get the position just right. Once your happy, with a soft cloth work from the centre to the edges.
I normally allow a day or so before washing a polishing the bodywork. Hope this helps but I would practice on small stuff first.
Then I have a small spray bottle, similar to a household spray dispenser, filled with water and a little washing up liquid. Not a lot just a small squirt in a litre of water.
Spray on the water mixture then apply the graphic. Do not press on too much at this stage as yiou want to get the position just right. Once your happy, with a soft cloth work from the centre to the edges.
I normally allow a day or so before washing a polishing the bodywork. Hope this helps but I would practice on small stuff first.
MrIFan
Registered user
Ah Teddy just beat me to it. Just spoken to a mate of mine with a signwriting bussiness http://www.classiclines-signs.co.uk/index.html
and that's exactly what he said, just a tiny bit of Fairy or simmilar in a spray bottle. Spray it on, position the sticker then using a cloth or preferably a flexible plastic scraper (stiff enough to push the excess from underneath, soft enough to not damage the sticker) smooth it in to place.
Once dry it will actualy make the sticker bond better.
and that's exactly what he said, just a tiny bit of Fairy or simmilar in a spray bottle. Spray it on, position the sticker then using a cloth or preferably a flexible plastic scraper (stiff enough to push the excess from underneath, soft enough to not damage the sticker) smooth it in to place.
Once dry it will actualy make the sticker bond better.
Deleted account 220427002
Registered user
- Joined
- Dec 27, 2003
- Messages
- 20,425
- Reaction score
- 4
i've done a bit of vinyl sticking myself 
for my mates they have a Big sign shop.
they don't use water..or water with a couple of drops of washing up liquid in it unless they are putting on car window tints or sometimes on very big windows that they have to put frosting on.
the water makes it easier for large jobs but leaves small stuff not sticky enough to stay in place while you remove the retractive tape..
i would stick it without water or water with a drop of washing you liquid.
forgive the sticker
... i only had some of these kicking around
this shows the best way i know to put on a sticker.
use masking tape instead of my black insulating tape..it's all i had
see it's easy
people who are not that good at sticking use water etc. but it causes it's own problems
you have to get all the water out. and remove the retractive tape...but the water stops small stickers from sticking and they move about.
if you put the sticker on dry and not pushed it down too hard you can give the sticker a quick tug and it will lift again off the tank..that's if you make a big bubble.
i would also cover the credit card with a soft cloth that does not have any loose fibres on it..it stops small scratches on the sticker and tank.
for my mates they have a Big sign shop.they don't use water..or water with a couple of drops of washing up liquid in it unless they are putting on car window tints or sometimes on very big windows that they have to put frosting on.
the water makes it easier for large jobs but leaves small stuff not sticky enough to stay in place while you remove the retractive tape..
i would stick it without water or water with a drop of washing you liquid.
forgive the sticker
... i only had some of these kicking around this shows the best way i know to put on a sticker.
use masking tape instead of my black insulating tape..it's all i had
see it's easy
people who are not that good at sticking use water etc. but it causes it's own problems
you have to get all the water out. and remove the retractive tape...but the water stops small stickers from sticking and they move about.if you put the sticker on dry and not pushed it down too hard you can give the sticker a quick tug and it will lift again off the tank..that's if you make a big bubble.
i would also cover the credit card with a soft cloth that does not have any loose fibres on it..it stops small scratches on the sticker and tank.
MATKAT
Registered user
Thanks
Thanks guys for all your help and suggestions !!!
Sue says she found all the stuff i need in my toilet bag...............I'll let you know how it goes !!!!
Thanks guys for all your help and suggestions !!!
Sue says she found all the stuff i need in my toilet bag...............I'll let you know how it goes !!!!
