Transfer or Vinyl Tank Decals?

Manu

Basic

Joined

Feb 4, 2026

Messages

16

• Tuesday at 12:13 PM

• #1

Hi! I've received my new EMGO tank and located a regarded painter. Need the decals. Question is should I acquire transfer decals from CT in UK or vinyl from Andover. Painter says last time he used transfer they were old and wouldn't release from paper. For vinyl he puts additional clear coat (if I want to pay for it) to make up for thickness.

What would you guys do?
Thanks

 

J

JimNH

Basic

Joined

Jan 4, 2014

Messages

752

• Tuesday at 12:39 PM

• #2

My tank has vinyl with clear coat. Has held up well for decades.

 

kommando

Basic

Joined

May 7, 2005

Messages

7,868

• Tuesday at 12:51 PM

• #3

A good painter will clearcoat the tank so the Vinyl blends in and is completely protected.

 

B+Bogus

Basic

Joined

Jun 28, 2009

Messages

2,363

• Tuesday at 12:58 PM

• #4

Manu said:

Hi! I've received my new EMGO tank and located a regarded painter. Need the decals. Question is should I acquire transfer decals from CT in UK or vinyl from Andover. Painter says last time he used transfer they were old and wouldn't release from paper. For vinyl he puts additional clear coat (if I want to pay for it) to make up for thickness.

What would you guys do?
Thanks

Click to expand...

I use vinyl stencils and paint the graphics, followed by clear lacquer

 

zotz

Basic

Joined

Jul 15, 2007

Messages

304

• Tuesday at 1:54 PM

• #5

I used transfer decals quite a few years ago now. I followed directions explicitly. I got them to work but they where a P.I.T.A.. Maybe they're better now. They have held up well over time with no clear coat.

 

YING

Pittsboro,NC

VIP MEMBER

Joined

Aug 12, 2011

Messages

1,497

• Thursday at 5:14 AM

• #6

Manu,
Pay for the extra clear coat while he still has the tank. I used the transfers but like zotz says,they can be difficult.
Mike

 

Lineslinger

VIP MEMBER

Joined

Feb 26, 2017

Messages

2,021

• Friday at 8:29 AM

• #7

Decals can bubble. I read about bubbling reaction here but budget dictated I go with decals. See the pic for final results when clear coat was applied. These decals were pretty old as well, information the vendor didn't share.
You may have to zoom in on the image.

 

R

Rorty71750

Joined

Feb 2, 2026

Messages

3

• Friday at 8:31 AM

• #8

Vinyl decals, no clear coat. Have had no issues regarding fuel spillage or the hot Southwest Florida sun for over 15 years.