Thoughts on my tank decals

[professor]

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As you can see in the pic, their is a Suzuki decal and a black accent which is in both sides of the tank.
Issue here is simple. Unlike the other plastics, these decals are actually cleared over top.

Now my tank is in very good condition. Being as I'm prepping and painting it myself I ask you this.
Because it is in such good condition, if had like hell to have to sand the whole tank down just to get to the decals to remove them. But of course will pending the answers.

How do you think it would look if I just wet painted over them? They would almost look raised and coming through the paint? Would it look like I was lazy and left them under?

If I were to leave them should I go as far as airbrushing the Suzuki in a light white. (Bike will be a gunmetal black) ?

Or like above removed everything and start from scratch. ?
Like I said it's just a shame being as their isn't one mark on the tank at all.

Let me know your thoughts.


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[Splash]

if you are painting the tank... aren't you going to sand down the clear coat anyway?

 

[professor]

if you are painting the tank... aren't you going to sand down the clear coat anyway?

Correct me if I'm wrong. But am I not just able to give it a wetsand and spray?
This is why I am asking. I spray very well and have the hand for sanding and lines. Just need to know proper prep work.
Am I rite or will this be "hacked" so to speak


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[viccont]

once you send clear on decal try heat gun to peel it, on later models sending is the fastest way to get rid them, use 120 grit to rough it up for primer don't need to remove clear completely.

 

[CafeRay]

Correct me if I'm wrong. But am I not just able to give it a wetsand and spray?
This is why I am asking. I spray very well and have the hand for sanding and lines. Just need to know proper prep work.

I assume you want a factory quality paint.
The proper prep work is to chemical strip all the paint and decals off the tank, down to bare metal. Sanding will take a long time and run a fortune in abrasives. If you leave the decals, they will stick out and look like crap.

I will now leave you a link to a hilarious set of how-to videos by two rednecks who can not spell. While they look like morons, they are actually doing it right.

[video=youtube;AHwWCZXm3GY]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHwWCZXm3GY[/video]

"How to paint your Japanese Motorcycle tank" (It's actually a Ducati Monster tank, and of course, Japanese and Italian tanks paint the same as Harley tanks, just fewer unicorns and Jesus with swords.) It's actually worth watching the whole series, especially the chemical safety tips from two guys in sleeveless t-shirts the whole time.

 

[professor]

I assume you want a factory quality paint.
The proper prep work is to chemical strip all the paint and decals off the tank, down to bare metal. Sanding will take a long time and run a fortune in abrasives. If you leave the decals, they will stick out and look like crap.

I will now leave you a link to a hilarious set of how-to videos by two rednecks who can not spell. While they look like morons, they are actually doing it right.

[video=youtube;AHwWCZXm3GY]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHwWCZXm3GY[/video]

"How to paint your Japanese Motorcycle tank" (It's actually a Ducati Monster tank, and of course, Japanese and Italian tanks paint the same as Harley tanks, just fewer unicorns and Jesus with swords.) It's actually worth watching the whole series, especially the chemical safety tips from two guys in sleeveless t-shirts the whole time.

When I get home I will defiantly sit and watch. Thanks.

Not if I left decals their I was thinking of air brushing them to give them a raised look but will be airbrushed so it won't look cheap.

Thoughts ?
I have all winter. Time is not an issue. I just don't want to get out of my comfort zone. Hence why I suggest the above.


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[MSRP]

Take it all off
You'll spend nights in regret if you don't as it'll bother you every time you swing your leg over the bike..


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[professor]

Alrite. Sounds good guys. Not the type of guy to cheap out.
Off to sherwin soon!

Thanks for the input


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[CafeRay]

I would not airbrush the Suzuki logo or stripe. You can get decals in any color in 10-year vinyl, and they give the deepest contrast and sharpest edges.

Airbrushing is best for unicorns and the "Lone Wolf".

...the open road, freedom, 'MERICA, etc.

(also available as tattoo)

You'll see a lot of these this weekend at the International centre.

 

[professor]

I would not airbrush the Suzuki logo or stripe. You can get decals in any color in 10-year vinyl, and they give the deepest contrast and sharpest edges.

Airbrushing is best for unicorns and the "Lone Wolf".

...the open road, freedom, 'MERICA, etc.

By air brushing I meant more of the outside edges of the under hidden logo. To make it look like a decal or at least like it was suppose to be their?


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