Tank Decal Removal - Bodyshop reco's please!! | GTAMotorcycle.com

Tank Decal Removal - Bodyshop reco's please!!

Mala

Mala

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Hi, all - short story...my ninja 300 in white is beautiful, but Kawi thought it would also be beautiful to add kawi green ninja stickers on the tank...what an eye sore. Decals are under a clear coat so I will not attempt to remove them myself. Hoping that someone out there can recommend a good bodyshop who knows what they are doing. Thinking decal removal and then a quick clear coat to clean it up.

To me it really doesn't seem like a huge job, but I have now had 3 bodyshops in a row turn me down as they are not confident in removing the stickers.

I am new to the riding world so wondering if there are bodyshops that specialize in bike work - or maybe it doesn't matter?
 
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Just get the exact same stickers in black or white or whatever vinyl made and put them over top
 
kellen said:
Just get the exact same stickers in black or white or whatever vinyl made and put them over top
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OK so this might be option B ;) Do you know where I can purchase legit decals - making sure they adhere good and are same size'ish?
 
are you sure they are clear coated over the top? My friend has a 2013 636 and crashed it, I repaired it for him. The replacement bodywork had the wrong decal on it, so we peeled it off.... both sides, even the original oem side. With our bare hands. No heat gun, nothing... literally finger nail picked it and pulled that whole foot long decal off the side fairing in 1 yank, no rips. I would be surprised to find out they cleared over the 300's and not the 636
 
SweetOnion said:
are you sure they are clear coated over the top? My friend has a 2013 636 and crashed it, I repaired it for him. The replacement bodywork had the wrong decal on it, so we peeled it off.... both sides, even the original oem side. With our bare hands. No heat gun, nothing... literally finger nail picked it and pulled that whole foot long decal off the side fairing in 1 yank, no rips. I would be surprised to find out they cleared over the 300's and not the 636
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Yep - totally clear coated - the dealer wouldn't touch it as they do work on bikes as well and recommended a body shop do it. Apparently its just a thin layer...
 
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Pretty sure the logo on the 650R tank is done the same way. I thought this was the case for all Kawi's. Logos on the bodywork are usually just stickers, though.
 
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SweetOnion said:
are you sure they are clear coated over the top? My friend has a 2013 636 and crashed it, I repaired it for him. The replacement bodywork had the wrong decal on it, so we peeled it off.... both sides, even the original oem side. With our bare hands. No heat gun, nothing... literally finger nail picked it and pulled that whole foot long decal off the side fairing in 1 yank, no rips. I would be surprised to find out they cleared over the 300's and not the 636
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on Kawi supersport/street bikes the tank decals are under the clearcoat. All other graphics/decals are vinyl.
 
SO let me ask if anyone has any experience with covering up the stock decal? I may just get the Ninja sticker in black, but want to make sure it covers the old one well and won't peel...
 
get original decals, most are die cut, so there should be little variance, apply to clean dry surface, and then have the tank clear coated once again, done deal.....

you can even clear coat the tank yourself, get the 2K clear in a spray can, apply in a dust free environment, and let dry, done....

I just did mine, now the decals go on and then possibly another coating of clear, maybe.....I might leave the decals exposed, never an issue on my other restorations, unless you are hard on your bike.....

.

BF9B6FFC-FE35-42F9-B590-4B3D7A452435.jpg
 
GateKeeper said:
get original decals, most are die cut, so there should be little variance, apply to clean dry surface, and then have the tank clear coated once again, done deal.....

you can even clear coat the tank yourself, get the 2K clear in a spray can, apply in a dust free environment, and let dry, done....

I just did mine, now the decals go on and then possibly another coating of clear, maybe.....I might leave the decals exposed, never an issue on my other restorations, unless you are hard on your bike.....

.

BF9B6FFC-FE35-42F9-B590-4B3D7A452435.jpg
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He asked about removing them... not adding them.
 
Mala said:
SO let me ask if anyone has any experience with covering up the stock decal? I may just get the Ninja sticker in black, but want to make sure it covers the old one well and won't peel...
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unL33T said:
He asked about removing them... not adding them.
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actually he did.....

that is why I suggested he get the decals, apply on top of the old ones, and then clear coat once again...
 
GateKeeper said:
actually he did.....

that is why I suggested he get the decals, apply on top of the old ones, and then clear coat once again...
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Ok I misunderstood because you didn't actually say to apply over the old ones. My mistake.

If you were going to repaint it anyway you might as well just remove the old ones, IMO. You're going to have a lot of height added by two layers of decals. Also, the colour of the decals might not quite match the colour of the paint.
 
unL33T said:
Ok I misunderstood because you didn't actually say to apply over the old ones. My mistake.

If you were going to repaint it anyway you might as well just remove the old ones, IMO. You're going to have a lot of height added by two layers of decals. Also, the colour of the decals might not quite match the colour of the paint.
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OK, I threw you for a curve....sorry bout that....

he asked to apply decals over top of the old ones, which I said he could do and then apply the clear over top

my picture of my tank just has the clear and no decals yet, they will go on and get a 2nd coat of clear....maybe, maybe not, I don't really need the clear over top of the decals.

He is not wanting to remove the paint and all, and I guess my picture was misleading, but I was just showing that I put on paint, then clear and I will then do decals, to that, the OP can apply decals on top and do a coat of clear.....


Man this sucks and gets long in the tooth when one tries to explain things this way, LOL, if this was face to face it would be so much easier and quicker...hahahaha
 
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Actually SHE did ;)

Thanks for the breakdown, Gate keeper.

unL33T - I really don't want to repaint the whole tank, just get rid of the green stickers - seems so simple to remove completely, but apparently its a lot of work and $$....

So I just ordered a set of Ninja Decals in 3D black to see how they look on the bike - I like the raised look I think? If not, Ill get flat black ones - at least I waisted only $20 instead of the $400 it'll cost me to repaint!!

I'll post a before/after pic once I make up my mind on the change...
 
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GateKeeper said:
My apologies......:)

if they are not factory, they might not be the same and will not cover the same way, if they are a knock off from like "China" so be careful in that.....
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Good point! Let's see what happens...
 
Yeah a lot of people on the 650R forums were annoyed when they wanted to debadge their bikes and found that the tank decals are clearcoated.
 
My problem might be beautifully solved - getting the tank vinyl wrapped in black! Thank god for creative friends ;)

Ill post a pic when its done.
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