Decal decay date?

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Hobot

Hobot

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Oct 19, 2005
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Trixie's Roadster tank all ready for the decals but when it came time to separate the
decal off its backing, the backing split and adhered to the decal. Unless trash.
I'd stored these in an envelope with stiffener for like 5 yrs inside home.
So off to order more and alert others not to save up decal collection too long.
These were standard ordinary run of the mill vinyl stick on type.

If there is some brand or vendor to avoid spoiled decals please ping back.

hobot
 
I use 3M brand vinyl for any long term outdoor applications. Its rated as a 7-10 year outdoor life, but can last longer. 5 yrs is a long time to sit for it, did you try separating the backing with a razor?
 
Ugh, the fella that did the final paint said he tired to diddle similar
decayed decals before and it didn't work once adhesive or backing
has merged as one with the decal.

I know nothing about what the vendors off for decal material.
I don't want anything special on Trixie but will have some
sign makers print shop do a few on offs for Peel.

My lesion, don't order decals till about time to apply.
I suppose vendors might keep em too long too.

hobot
 
I have been considering leaving "Commando Bizarro" decal-less and this may have made up my mind.

Unclviny
 
Dear uncle, I've decal'd two set of tanks and covers and had no issues
with only a few months stored decals. There is a slight vanity
issue that decals stand proud of paint and normal thickness
clear coats. But since that is what factory did that good enough
for Trixie Combat. Ms Peel on the other hand has logo's painted
on through a stencil and will not be felt just seen.
Print-sign shops can do that up quick and cheap too.
Decal decay date?
 
I have 2 "750 Commando" sidecover decals that I am seriously considering putting on Frame-tubes (somewhere) or possibly on the Swing-arm.
I do not think I will put "Norton" on the gas tank, I think I will either leave it plain or put Union Jack's on either side, it has a "Pedestrian Slicer" on the front fender and I am having "1971 Norton" painted on both sides of it (after having the Pedestrian Slicer powdercoated British Racing Green to match the frame).

Unclviny
 
Ok I was wondering how anyone could tell your bike was a Norton w/o the
tank logo but for sure the people slicer will inform everyone concerned.
I want a deer slicer myself, oh ok, at least 3 or more.

What I want to do on Ms Peel is get or create sponsor logo's like
real racers display but from the Nortoneers and vendors involved
with Peel's existence.
Ken Canaga Left Coast Racing
Jim Schimdts Norton Racing
Steve Maney Engineering
DynoDave Altanticgreen Engine parts.
Ken Armand Brake Service

Help me think of others.

hobot
 
I just went through the tank decal experience a couple of days ago.
I found the removable backing resists allowing the decal to conform to the curve of the tank.
Got a couple of wrinkles in the letters :(
Removed them today.
I've just sent an order to Old Britts for the tank stencil that I'm figuring will be more manageable.
The tank and side covers I've painted a nice red/orange with silver lettering.
Finally getting her pimped out enough that I dare post photos to this discerning crowd when lettering and clear coat finished.
Bob
 
rx7171 said:
I just went through the tank decal experience a couple of days ago.
I found the removable backing resists allowing the decal to conform to the curve of the tank.
Got a couple of wrinkles in the letters :(
Bob
Click to expand...

The trick to applying them on a compound curve is to put a piece of tape vertically down the center, then pull back half and cut the backing off. Working from the tape out stick it down. Once one side is down, do the other side. The stencil will wrinkle too, just go slow and you should be alright.
 
I've had decals made at a local graphics shop with good success, but some vinyl is prone to a little shrinkage this can be seen if you let them sit for awhile the paper they are on starts to curl, maybe cheap materials don't know. I have also had the decals stick to the backing. Who knows how long they sit at a vendors before you buy them. This is why I choose to have them made. If you do decals through a graphics shop you can customize to any size, shape and color. My current peel and stick tank and side cover decals are now 8 years old and holding up great. The stencil method would be best and more permanent.
 
Thank gahi for the clinical gem of tape down middle of decal and
not along its axis, smack, duh,yeah that how I snug up heads to
trim strips.

Ive stenciled Peel IS tank and will have some custom ones made,
but plain jain Trixie must suffer with what's off the shelf, fresh or not.

hobot
 
hobot said:
Thank gahi for the clinical gem of tape down middle of decal and
not along its axis, smack, duh,yeah that how I snug up heads to
trim strips.

Ive stenciled Peel IS tank and will have some custom ones made,
but plain jain Trixie must suffer with what's off the shelf, fresh or not.

hobot
Click to expand...

No problem, I own a sign shop so if you guys have any ??'s let me know. sometimes, if the plotter cuts too deep, the backing will stick to the vinyl as well. Vinyl does shrink with age, if you look at the roll of material, you shouldn't see the backing paper along the sides. Most shops only keep commonly used colors in stock and order others per job for this reason.
 
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