Vinyl Wrapping?

Hi all

Got some scuffs/scratches on the bike that I've been meaning to get sorted out for a while now but only just getting round to it really. Atm the bike is two similar shades of yellow but with a noticeable difference which is really starting to annoy me... time to get it sorted!

Now the obvious solution would be to get the tank, fairings etc resprayed, but I've been looking into vinyl wrapping aswell and it seems alot cheaper and possibly even nicer looking than a straight respray.

Anyone had any experience with doing a full bike vinyl wrap? Would the scuffs still show up through the vinyl, how good do they look and how long do they last?

Also can anyone recommend a place that does them down south? Don't want to attempt it myself as I know I'll **** it up

Cheers

[rictus01]

I haven't looked into getting it done, but have done a few myself, I don't claim to be an expert by any means, but the respective owners have been please with the results, I use a vinyl with a honeycombed pattern adhesive on it which helps remove bubbles, the oldest one I've done is four years old now and looks fine.

recently I done the back pods on the new bike as they were well scratched up by the previous owner, like a paint job it's all in the prep work, filling and sanding are key (although vinyl is more masking than paint).

Here's some pics of the end result.











Cheers Mark.

PMed mate.

Originally Posted by rictus01

I haven't looked into getting it done, but have done a few myself, I don't claim to be an expert by any means, but the respective owners have been please with the results, I use a vinyl with a honeycombed pattern adhesive on it which helps remove bubbles, the oldest one I've done is four years old now and looks fine.

recently I done the back pods on the new bike as they were well scratched up by the previous owner, like a paint job it's all in the prep work, filling and sanding are key (although vinyl is more masking than paint).

Here's some pics of the end result.











Cheers Mark.

That's a pretty smart design. I like it!

[rictus01]

thanks it was a quick cheap way of smartening up the rear pods and it didn't need drying time either.


Cheers Mark.

Originally Posted by rictus01

thanks it was a quick cheap way of smartening up the rear pods and it didn't need drying time either.


Cheers Mark.

Even if it isn't used as a cover up alternative I think it's still a nice yet subtle way to customise your bike, I may even consider doing this.

[rictus01]

yeah it's effective and the bikes i've done in the past weren't done to cover anything, more for a fresh look.

What about clear to cover existing paintwork, or to protect it in the first place, can it be removed without taking the paint off underneath it?

Cheers.

[rictus01]

I've not tried clear, but I can't see why not? as to removing it and the paintwork underneath, that all depends on how good the paint was to start with, any loose or flaky paint should have been removed before application, but if it was just weak then the lifting of the vinyl will take it off.

It's not a miracle "fix all", it's basically sticky backed plastic.

[SoulKiss]

Originally Posted by rictus01

It's not a miracle "fix all", it's basically sticky backed plastic.

Next week Rictus will be showing us how he replaced his can with 2 washing up liquid bottles and some tin-foil