what vinyl for motorbike graphics

[Peter Normington]

Hello Terry, welcome to the boards.
A little intro may help.
Motorcycle graphics are very varied, so a little more info on what you intend to produce may get a better reply

Peter

[Michael Auger]

Terry,
This is something i’ve been looking into A LOT the last few months.
From what I have gathered Convex Viny (http://www.convexvinyl.com/) is the only vinyl made specifically for that prupose. They also make laminates for it. Their products are thick upto 20 mil on the laminates, and very easy to apply. At the same time though, they are VERY expensive.

I know one local company that does motocross graphics uses Arlon’s (http://www.arlon.com/) vinyl and overlam. They use either the 8000 or 9000 vinyl and but I’m not certain of the overlam used.

On the topic of motorcycle graphics, what are you going to be using for templates? if you don’t mind my asking.

Michael

[Stephen Morriss]

It depends on what sort of bike.

If your talking about motor cross bikes then you’ll need the Convex vinyl and laminate as the glue is made to stick to the plastics, normal vinyl will stick but acts like removable vinyl, it’ll come off easily.
The Convex laminate is available in a few thicknesses as well, but as has already been said it’s expensive.

Road bike panels are OK done with a good quality vinyl, when I’ve done them they usually are applied to the base coat and then lacquered over with the clear top coat, you have to be careful though as the clear coat will soften the vinyl and will also make solvent inks run so you have to apply the first coat quite thin.

Steve

[Tim Knight]

Hi Terry,

We used to make bike graphics either screen or reverse mask and paint.
after buying a few sets we got the 3M code for the adhesive
we used a clear flexible PVC about 1mm thick, reverese screen or mask and paint with screen ink, then coat of white to block out, then 3M 478MP full adhesive.
We found it conformed ok but as told from 3M the bike graphics, especially when well used or not hot off the press, the material the panels are made from a polypropelene which resists almost everthing.
there are some primers to assist the tape but I believe the thicker the graphic the worse it will catch on the legs of the rider and lift off.

I good friend of mine just purchased a new graphics kit from the US
it was full digital print on 3M fleetgraphics with the hatching on the back
with a clear overlaminate then Diecut. I helped him apply them and so far so good. Used heat gun the make it really bond on.

so in conclusion the thicker stuff I think is no good.
Thin quality cast wrap vinyl with clear is the best and conforms and wraps over edges not a edge on the face of the panels

my 2 cents 😛

all the best

[Darryl Seager]

i have also looked at the convex range.
I found a company in Ireland that import it from the States
priced atless than £5 per metre
http://www.signanddigital.com

Speak to Tony

You could also try ‘sticker chick’ Emma 01684 296566

darryl

[Stephen Morriss]

The only problem with using the thin laminates on the print is it wears away on MX bikes really fast, I did the radiator covers on my enduro bike and after 1 enduro the laminate was worn away at the edges were my legs rubbed, you need the thick laminate to stop this.

But I do agree that the thinner the better for stopping catching and conformity.

Steve

[Gordon Forbes]

Also cost about £5 a meter to get it delivered cost me £80 for a roll of vinyl and laminate.
I also found that if people are racing with the bikes they certainly wont last.
I had a friend who races did a meet on stoney ground and it was really cold, just obliterated them. Convex as well 8 mil with the 8mil lam.
A cast would be better I think but its so thin hows it going to stand up to that treatment.
I don’t bother with them now cause nothing stands up not even the factory graphics and i don’t like people coming back mumpin about then.

Goop