dougspcs
07-05-2012, 07:43 AM
So I am one of those riders that moves around on the seat a fair bit when on the trails, the friction between my leg and the side of the tank often causes scuffing of the tank and decals. In the most severe case, my 250sx which I mudbog with, the paint and decals have been worn to bare metal from the gritty mud on the side of my leg..
150076
Not pretty to say the least!!
So anyway having just finished my 350x tank and it looks pretty good for a spray bomb job..Even had an Ebay decal kit from a while back and another project. I wanted to try and protect it some.
150077
I went to the local auto body shop and bought 2 - 6"x15" strips of 3M clear adhesive protectant film. The type they put on the front edge of the car hood to prevent stone chips.
Then I took a pair of scissors and trimmed the plastic by holding it up against the tank and just bit by bit got a template of the side of the tank.
Then installed it like installing window tint you get in the DIY kit. You'll need: rubber kitchen spatula, spray bottle with water and just a drop of soap, sharp utility knife & scissors.
Start by pealing the paper backing from the film and spray a bit of water on the tank side and film and position it on the tank..it will still stick, but only just enough so you can still move it. Don't do it dry!!
Use the spatula to force the bubbles out by rubbing from the centre of the plastic to the edge. As you do peal more and more of the paper backing and work your way down the whole side of the tank. Spend a bit of time caressing the edges so they form to the curves of the tank, spray the plastic again as you go so the friction doesn't make it too difficult. Once done check for bubbles, if you are better than me you'll have none. But chances are you'll have one or two, take a razor blade and make a tiny slit in the plastic at the bubble and force the trapped water/air out with the spatula.
If you do it like mine it will be virtually invisible, as high gloss as the tank paint and a perfect barrier to protect your tank and decals..
It worked so well I intend to pull the tank from my 250sx this full, sand, paint, decal and film it too!!
Have fun with it!
150076
Not pretty to say the least!!
So anyway having just finished my 350x tank and it looks pretty good for a spray bomb job..Even had an Ebay decal kit from a while back and another project. I wanted to try and protect it some.
150077
I went to the local auto body shop and bought 2 - 6"x15" strips of 3M clear adhesive protectant film. The type they put on the front edge of the car hood to prevent stone chips.
Then I took a pair of scissors and trimmed the plastic by holding it up against the tank and just bit by bit got a template of the side of the tank.
Then installed it like installing window tint you get in the DIY kit. You'll need: rubber kitchen spatula, spray bottle with water and just a drop of soap, sharp utility knife & scissors.
Start by pealing the paper backing from the film and spray a bit of water on the tank side and film and position it on the tank..it will still stick, but only just enough so you can still move it. Don't do it dry!!
Use the spatula to force the bubbles out by rubbing from the centre of the plastic to the edge. As you do peal more and more of the paper backing and work your way down the whole side of the tank. Spend a bit of time caressing the edges so they form to the curves of the tank, spray the plastic again as you go so the friction doesn't make it too difficult. Once done check for bubbles, if you are better than me you'll have none. But chances are you'll have one or two, take a razor blade and make a tiny slit in the plastic at the bubble and force the trapped water/air out with the spatula.
If you do it like mine it will be virtually invisible, as high gloss as the tank paint and a perfect barrier to protect your tank and decals..
It worked so well I intend to pull the tank from my 250sx this full, sand, paint, decal and film it too!!
Have fun with it!