How to install a decoration kit on your motorcycle?
So you have your new decorative kit before your eyes. There's just one problem: they're not on the bike yet. Don't worry, because it's not as difficult as you think. If you already have experience applying decor kits, it may be a good idea to follow the process, as some of the information may be useful to you.
STEP 1: CLEANING AND DEGREASING PLASTICS
While cleaning and degreasing isn't the most fun part of the process, it may be the most important. If you do not clean and degrease plastics properly, the lifespan of your decoration kit will decrease considerably or, worse, it could peel off. Since you don't want that, it's important that you follow the process and take your time doing it.
We always recommend applying the decorative kit to new plastics. If you don't have new plastic, first make sure your old or used plastic is clean. Remove any dirt and grease, even from areas where you will not apply graphics. There's nothing worse than sand under your graphics, and you'll feel really stupid if it happens because you skimped on cleaning.
After cleaning your plastics, comes the most important step: degreasing. Although opinions vary greatly on what to use for degreasing, we have come to the conclusion that a good quality brake cleaner is the best choice. Start by taking a few rags that won't leave fibers behind, and spray a good amount of brake cleaner on them, soaking it. The more, the better.
Be sure to scrub every inch of the surface, especially the edges and recessed areas. As you do this, you may notice the plastics becoming dull. The duller the plastic, the better it is. Take your time and put in the effort. If you forget a point of tension in the decorative kit, it will rise, which will shorten its lifespan.
STEP 2: APPLYING THE DECOR KIT
Now comes the fun part. Start with something easy, like a faceplate for example. These plates are generally flat and are a good exercise before tackling the more difficult parts.
Take your stickers and, without removing the backing paper, check if it’s the right one. Also see if you can already align it. Knowing how it lays will help you once the adhesive is exposed, making its positioning less random. There are two ways to do this. You can place the decal on the room with the backing paper still in place and use painter's tape to hold it in place. You can also remove a small portion of the backing paper, apply it, then remove more to apply the rest of the sticker. We do not recommend removing all of the backing paper at once. This is a recipe for disaster.
When applying the deco kit, be sure to always start in the middle and work outward to eliminate air. If you push the air in, you risk trapping it and you will have to peel the sticker to remove it or drill holes to let the air escape.
When applying the deco kit, try to avoid using heat at first. Only when the decal becomes too stiff or needs to be bent over one edge should you start using heat. The heat will activate the glue, softening it and removing the air channels found in the glue. This means that air will no longer be able to escape and air bubbles will be more numerous and larger.
When applying a sticker, use strong pressure. The harder you press, the better it will adhere to your plastic. Pressing hard on a sticker also eliminates air channels present in the glue, making the glue adhere better to the surface.
STEP 3: POST-HEATING
If everything went well, your stickers should be applied fairly cleanly. The final step is to make sure they stay in place. To increase the life of the decals, you will need to post-heat the edges and areas where there may be tension in your stickers. The heat will activate the glue. With some vinyls you will need to heat them to 100 degrees Celsius, but that won't be necessary with these stickers. Just be sure to heat the edges and press them firmly.
STEP 4: WAIT
Before taking your bike to the track to show off your new graphics kit, wait at least 24 hours. If possible, do this for 48 hours. The glue has not yet reached its maximum strength and this takes time. The bond between the plastic and the glue will strengthen over time. Make sure your motorcycle is stored in a somewhat neutral environment, at normal temperatures, to let it cure.
After 24 to 48 hours, the stickers will also have shrunk a little. This is normal, but it may cause the decoration kit to lift in certain places, particularly at the edges and in places that are most heavily used. Be sure to press those spots again and warm them up a bit. If you do it correctly, the decoration kit will no longer peel off and should stay beautiful for a long time. Don't forget this step. If you are riding and dirt gets under the sticker, you will never be able to get it to adhere properly and this will greatly reduce the life of the stickers.
STEP 1: CLEANING AND DEGREASING PLASTICS
While cleaning and degreasing isn't the most fun part of the process, it may be the most important. If you do not clean and degrease plastics properly, the lifespan of your decoration kit will decrease considerably or, worse, it could peel off. Since you don't want that, it's important that you follow the process and take your time doing it.
We always recommend applying the decorative kit to new plastics. If you don't have new plastic, first make sure your old or used plastic is clean. Remove any dirt and grease, even from areas where you will not apply graphics. There's nothing worse than sand under your graphics, and you'll feel really stupid if it happens because you skimped on cleaning.
After cleaning your plastics, comes the most important step: degreasing. Although opinions vary greatly on what to use for degreasing, we have come to the conclusion that a good quality brake cleaner is the best choice. Start by taking a few rags that won't leave fibers behind, and spray a good amount of brake cleaner on them, soaking it. The more, the better.
Be sure to scrub every inch of the surface, especially the edges and recessed areas. As you do this, you may notice the plastics becoming dull. The duller the plastic, the better it is. Take your time and put in the effort. If you forget a point of tension in the decorative kit, it will rise, which will shorten its lifespan.
STEP 2: APPLYING THE DECOR KIT
Now comes the fun part. Start with something easy, like a faceplate for example. These plates are generally flat and are a good exercise before tackling the more difficult parts.
Take your stickers and, without removing the backing paper, check if it’s the right one. Also see if you can already align it. Knowing how it lays will help you once the adhesive is exposed, making its positioning less random. There are two ways to do this. You can place the decal on the room with the backing paper still in place and use painter's tape to hold it in place. You can also remove a small portion of the backing paper, apply it, then remove more to apply the rest of the sticker. We do not recommend removing all of the backing paper at once. This is a recipe for disaster.
When applying the deco kit, be sure to always start in the middle and work outward to eliminate air. If you push the air in, you risk trapping it and you will have to peel the sticker to remove it or drill holes to let the air escape.
When applying the deco kit, try to avoid using heat at first. Only when the decal becomes too stiff or needs to be bent over one edge should you start using heat. The heat will activate the glue, softening it and removing the air channels found in the glue. This means that air will no longer be able to escape and air bubbles will be more numerous and larger.
When applying a sticker, use strong pressure. The harder you press, the better it will adhere to your plastic. Pressing hard on a sticker also eliminates air channels present in the glue, making the glue adhere better to the surface.
STEP 3: POST-HEATING
If everything went well, your stickers should be applied fairly cleanly. The final step is to make sure they stay in place. To increase the life of the decals, you will need to post-heat the edges and areas where there may be tension in your stickers. The heat will activate the glue. With some vinyls you will need to heat them to 100 degrees Celsius, but that won't be necessary with these stickers. Just be sure to heat the edges and press them firmly.
STEP 4: WAIT
Before taking your bike to the track to show off your new graphics kit, wait at least 24 hours. If possible, do this for 48 hours. The glue has not yet reached its maximum strength and this takes time. The bond between the plastic and the glue will strengthen over time. Make sure your motorcycle is stored in a somewhat neutral environment, at normal temperatures, to let it cure.
After 24 to 48 hours, the stickers will also have shrunk a little. This is normal, but it may cause the decoration kit to lift in certain places, particularly at the edges and in places that are most heavily used. Be sure to press those spots again and warm them up a bit. If you do it correctly, the decoration kit will no longer peel off and should stay beautiful for a long time. Don't forget this step. If you are riding and dirt gets under the sticker, you will never be able to get it to adhere properly and this will greatly reduce the life of the stickers.
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