Wrap instead of paint.

TonyReid

TonyReid

New member
Location
Kettering UK
My TS needs all the body work repainting,I cannot do it myself & the cost of a good job (with the complex double pinstripes) will I'm sure be too much for a bike that's been ridden rather than polished. Has anyone tried using wrapping film and what kind of results did they get? I know it wouldn't have the stripes!
 
Many moons ago I wrapped cars professionally. I tried a complete bike once, it turned out a dismal failure.

The plastic film relies on large, flat surfaces for maximised adherance, the small surfaces and intricate curves of motorcycle tanks and sidecovers are most unsuitable. It may look OK for a few days, maybe even weeks... but the edges will gradually loosen and start to peel, resulting in a most unsightly mess. The film is under great tensional stress when pulled around tight curves.

Perhaps the modern films used for wrapping these days offer better adherance, but the basic problems of having to stretch around tight curves and having only small surfaces for the stuff to cling to remains.

The stuff is fine for decorational graphics/stripes on bikes.

piet
 
sfcpiet said:
Many moons ago I wrapped cars professionally. I tried a complete bike once, it turned out a dismal failure.

The plastic film relies on large, flat surfaces for maximised adherance, the small surfaces and intricate curves of motorcycle tanks and sidecovers are most unsuitable. It may look OK for a few days, maybe even weeks... but the edges will gradually loosen and start to peel, resulting in a most unsightly mess. The film is under great tensional stress when pulled around tight curves.

Perhaps the modern films used for wrapping these days offer better adherance, but the basic problems of having to stretch around tight curves and having only small surfaces for the stuff to cling to remains.

The stuff is fine for decorational graphics/stripes on bikes.

piet
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It is still pretty much impossible to do on a bike even for professionals with bags of tricks despite there being better films available now. I did the SFC fairing on my race bike, it looks fine from a distance. We use it for protection under soft luggage, it is very durable and easily removed by slight warming with a heat gun.
 
Like many things, it depends on the skill and knowledge of the installer. I've seen many bikes and cars w/ wraps that look very good, and 3M automotive grade vinyl is extremely durable, even w/o a clear coat. As a test, I applied vinyl decals to my helmet and car bumper w/ no clear, and they've remained in place w/ no peeling or degrading for many years.

Of course, a quality paint job looks better IMHO, but is more costly.

I've gotten good results using a pre-mixed automotive paint in an aerisol can w/ a built in hardener. The trick is spraying successive coats for a "wet" appearance w/o runs- too light will "orange peel". Coating w/ a clear and then wet sanded w/ 2000 grit and then buffed w/ compound gives a "factory" look. Automotive paints are expensive and highly toxic so use a new respirator in a well ventilated shop.
 
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Vehicle wraps are a short-term solution. Most film manufacturers guarantee their products for 2, 3 years at the most. Big quality differences as well. Great for keeping up with trends... if you must. UV rays are the biggest foes, applicator skills close behind.

Small decals have nothing at all in common with vehicle wraps, other than the base materials. Wrap film is a completely different animal. It's much thinner and far more stretchable than decals.

piet
 
Here are the test "decals" I applied to my car bumper and helmet over 5 yrs. ago, using very thin 3M automotive grade vinyl film that's used for wraps. With no clear coating it's held up surprisingly well, but there is some sun fade on the car bumper that's gotten more sun exposure. I worked at a studio that did wraps and was dubious of it until I saw the results.

Again, paint is the better choice but wraps are a viable option.
 

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TeddyG said:
Like many things, it depends on the skill and knowledge of the installer. I've seen many bikes and cars w/ wraps that look very good, and 3M automotive grade vinyl is extremely durable, even w/o a clear coat. As a test, I applied vinyl decals to my helmet and car bumper w/ no clear, and they've remained in place w/ no peeling or degrading for many years.

Of course, a quality paint job looks better IMHO, but is more costly.

I've gotten good results using a pre-mixed automotive paint in an aerisol can w/ a built in hardener. The trick is spraying successive coats for a "wet" appearance w/o runs- too light will "orange peel". Coating w/ a clear and then wet sanded w/ 2000 grit and then buffed w/ compound
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Thanks again,seems the jury is still out on this! I might give the wrap a go especially as sadly for reasons not relevant to this forum I m not concerned with the longevity and can not spray paint.
Bike is running again and I just want it to look respectable while I can still ride it.
It will probably have to be sold in a couple of years anyway.
Any advice would be welcome!
 
TeddyG said:
Here are the test "decals" I applied to my car bumper and helmet over 5 yrs. ago, using very thin 3M automotive grade vinyl film that's used for wraps. With no clear coating it's held up surprisingly well, but there is some sun fade on the car bumper that's gotten more sun exposure. I worked at a studio that did wraps and was dubious of it until I saw the results.

Again, paint is the better choice but wraps are a viable option.
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Sun fading is not a problem we have to worry about in the English Miglunds
 
Would the fact that our bikes are a bit 'fumey' be a problem for the wrap? You know... carb vapours, oil mist and the like.
I know nothing about wrap; just wondering.
 
Good point, mine doesnt suffer too much oil mist but I will be following a mates ES2! Petrol around the filler cap could be a problem though, but then that can be true with paint .
 
Haggis said:
Would the fact that our bikes are a bit 'fumey' be a problem for the wrap? You know... carb vapours, oil mist and the like.
I know nothing about wrap; just wondering.
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Yes and no. Neat fuel would creep under edges and dissolve the adhesive if it got the chance. The film itself would be affected long-term if fuel/oil/etc were not removed. Petrol splashes, if removed quickly, will have little to no effect.
RobinCov said:
Sun fading is not a problem we have to worry about in the English Miglunds
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Colour fading isn't the problem, UV rays will destroy the film within 12-18 months if the wrap is constantly exposed to strong sunlight. Mid-european sun allows a life span of about 2-4 years, depending on maintenance. The windshield frame on my MX5 lasts about 3 years, another chore for the summer... it's pretty unsightly now.
PICT0461.JPG

piet
 
Son of my neighbour and my son wrapped his MX5 (NBFL), too. Although David (neighbour's son) was really good at wrapping cars, it took the two tons of hours to get it right. They did not do the back of the mirrors though, as any try ended in frustration... David did a motorbike tank once and said it was a royal PITA to do and he would never ever do it again.

So - besides the edges coming off shortly, the wrap not lasting long etc. it is almost impossible to get it around the shape of a tank without SERIOUS experience (and even then it is really complicate...).

I think there is barely an alternative to painting these parts.
 
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