Well folks, I took off the Suzuki decals and put on my own custom-cut tribal flames. Its not show quality, but I think it looks pretty good. Please give me your feedback by visiting my web site. Go to Tips & How-Tos ----> Tribal Flames Decals. I have tips there to help you if you decide to do this type of thing to your bike.
*I do need some help.* The pointy edges of the decals are making the bike hard to wash. They catch fibers from the washcloth and appear to be lifting a little. I decided Ill wash the bike with white t-shirts from now on, but the lifting potential from this really has me concerned.
Does anyone have any advice about a *good thick wax* or other method that I could use to hold down the decals and smooth out the edges? I dont know how to paint clear coat and that may be too permanent. I may want to redo the graphics sometime.
I just fear that the decals will lift and look horrible within a short period of time.
Posted by DeBeeriz Bitters on March 19, 2003 at 05:41:39:
In Reply to: ** Custom Decals Wax Question ** posted by Jon D. on March 19, 2003 at 05:01:21:
Jon your right it will look terrible after some time. Clear laquering is easier than top coat to apply and is the only real solution. TAKE YOUR TANK INTO A PAINT SHOP and ask them to give it a about six coats of clear, Clear laquer is heaps cheaper than paint so it should not cost much. A few buds maybe or you can get it in air spray cans and do it yourself apart from that my only suggestion is to wrap the tank in glad wrap (cling film)
In Reply to: Re: ** Custom Decals Wax Question ** posted by zipline on March 19, 2003 at 15:58:23:
I used a blow drier and scraped off the Suzuki decals from under the clear coat with my finger nails. I had to use Goo-Gone to get the adhesive residue off.
Make sure that the tank is near empty or tilt the bike so the gas is off the area of the tank you are getting the decal off of. The gas keeps the metal from heating up to the point where you can simply peel off the decal. There is a depression where the Savage logos were, but I'm not concerned about that.
More info can be found at my website on how the whole job.
In Reply to: ** Custom Decals Wax Question ** posted by Jon D. on March 19, 2003 at 05:01:21:
short of spraying clear over the whole tank the only thing I can think of that may work is clear nail polish. You will get some brush marks that will be visible upon a close look but I've done it to decals on my fishing pole and it seems to hold very well even though the pole bends to and fro.
In Reply to: ** Custom Decals Wax Question ** posted by Jon D. on March 19, 2003 at 05:01:21:
Well, I took the easy way out. I've been washing my bike with a light weight sponge and drying it with an old t-shirt. Decals have stayed down just fine. Looks like I won't be having a problem after all.
