Keiti black reflective rim tape -- chipping/cracking?

[TekNinja81]

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Hey folks,

Picked up some Keiti black reflective rim tape for my V-Strom, and when we started applying the tape, found that it kept "breaking". I've used the brand before, with blue reflective, and never had this problem; the tape was flexible and would stretch somewhat. This stuff however, literally snaps as soon as you bend, stretch, or otherwise stress the tape in any form.

Has anyone else had this issue? More importantly, we've now got a good chunk of the crap stuck on my rim, and need to remove it. Started trying to peel it off immediately, but it chips away much like the evil Suzuki warning labels do (argh!) I've tried soaking it with adhesive remover to no avail, and the tape is so stuck-on that we're actually starting to chip away at the paint on my rim while trying to remove it.

What the heck can I safely use to remove this garbage?

 

[jeffjones]

Hey folks,

Picked up some Keiti black reflective rim tape for my V-Strom, and when we started applying the tape, found that it kept "breaking". I've used the brand before, with blue reflective, and never had this problem; the tape was flexible and would stretch somewhat. This stuff however, literally snaps as soon as you bend, stretch, or otherwise stress the tape in any form.

Has anyone else had this issue? More importantly, we've now got a good chunk of the crap stuck on my rim, and need to remove it. Started trying to peel it off immediately, but it chips away much like the evil Suzuki warning labels do (argh!) I've tried soaking it with adhesive remover to no avail, and the tape is so stuck-on that we're actually starting to chip away at the paint on my rim while trying to remove it.

What the heck can I safely use to remove this garbage?

My rim tape did that if you over stretched it, but it was also on ebay for like $10 but it is still going strong.

Did they give you a temperature range to do the install?

A hair dryer will help loosen it and maybe a small drywall mud brush (Cant think of the word) to scrape it up without too much scratching

 

[TekNinja81]

Did they give you a temperature range to do the install?
A hair dryer will help loosen it and maybe a small drywall mud brush (Cant think of the word) to scrape it up without too much scratching

No mention of temperature requirements, but I do wonder if the stuff requires much warmer temperatures than we have today. That said, I had the roll sitting indoors all day, and it was still chipping... so I think I may have gotten a bad roll or something.

Will try the hairdryer method when I get a chance... unfortunately no handy outlets at home, so hope my boss doesn't mind me doing it at work.

 

[scarlet]

Pretty sure it has to be temperature that's the problem. Your rim is probably cold in comparison to the rim tape and when you want to apply it without giving much effort it snaps. Definitely use a hair dryer to warm up both the rim and the tape or bring the bike inside a warm garage before trying it again.

Good luck!

 

[Mina]

Oh God, tell me about the Suzuki warning labels...
After riding this whole season, I finally tried to take the warning labels off. What a PITA.
In the end a 10$ heat gun from CT helped me get the stickers off in less than 15 minutes.

A hair dryer should work as well. Good luck!

 

[S500K]

oh god, tell me about the suzuki warning labels...
After riding this whole season, i finally tried to take the warning labels off. What a pita.
In the end a 10$ heat gun from ct helped me get the stickers off in less than 15 minutes.

A hair dryer should work as well. Good luck!

100% correct!

 

[PLau]

Temperature is the problem as the same thing happened to me. I ended up buying another set =/ Going to wait until next season to apply it as the instructions sent did say not to apply under x degrees Celsius. I think it said its best to apply at room temperature.

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