Safari Tank Wrap Day - Page 2

Alleycatdad · 05-20-2012, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Narsisco Lopez

Placing the vinyl

.

Dude.

This pic makes me want to puke. I can't even get race numbers on right, and that's a LOT of vinyl. Your fella is one talented guy!

Looks great. I'm sceptical about the longevity on the tank, but it sure looks good so far!

Steve

Narsisco Lopez · 05-21-2012, 05:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xdbx

Why the MAP torch vs a heat gun?

I believe it's all personal preference for the installer. My brother said he likes MAP for its instant, directed heat. He's been using it so long, he knows exactly how to control it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BaronVonDarrin

Is this something I could have done at a graphics shop?

Yes... by a qualified, 3M-certified installer. But be warned: all 3M-certified installers are not equal in their overall experience and skill level. Obviously, the more wraps and more diverse kinds of wraps (many different vehicles, vehicle types, wrap material, etc.) the installer has done, the better he/she should be. But, my brother told me he's re-wrapped projects done by 3M-certified wrappers that made him scratch his head and mutter, "WTF???"

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alleycatdad

Dude.

This pic makes me want to puke. I can't even get race numbers on right, and that's a LOT of vinyl. Your fella is one talented guy!

Looks great. I'm skeptical about the longevity on the tank, but it sure looks good so far!

Steve

I'll pass on your compliments to my brother

Your skepticism is understandable and evidence of a healthy mind

Hopefully, you'll understand my skepticism about all the various talk on this forum about it NOT being able to stay put long-term. I never thought it was fuel that was out-gassing through the plastic (my professional experience with plastics for a big manufacturer back in the 80s made me doubtful) and the 3M chemist my brother spoke with corroborated that doubt. If ANY out-gassing is happening, it's more than likely coming from the component parts of the plastic itself.

The consensus seems to be it all comes down to proper prep, proper selection of the material, and proper installation. But, as I've said before, I might be eating a lot of crow and taking my fair share of shit if this vinyl doesn't stay put. Time will make the case. Let's see what happens over this riding season.

Quote:

Originally Posted by syzygy9

Knowing absolutely nothing about vinyl wrap (but about to get a pair of safari tanks fitted) I was wondering why you didn't take the tanks off to wrap them?

He did his "test wrap" of the right side tank while it was brand-new and off the tank. He didn't like the lack of leverage and preferred to do the "real wrap" with the tanks on the bike. There's a lot of re-lifting, pulling, and stretching that goes on and it's nice to have the surface you're wrapping NOT wanna move around with the vinyl

syzygy9 · 05-21-2012, 05:53 AM

Knowing absolutely nothing about vinyl wrap (but about to get a pair of safari tanks fitted) I was wondering why you didn't take the tanks off to wrap them?

kanur · 05-21-2012, 10:32 AM

Very Nice

Terence FFM · 05-21-2012, 12:20 PM

I gotta say, I like your logo better than the new one from KTM too.

Katoom119 · 05-21-2012, 01:01 PM

If that works I'm probably going to seal mine so I don't have to keep pushing air bubbles out of my stickers.

BaronVonDarrin · 05-21-2012, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by syzygy9

Knowing absolutely nothing about vinyl wrap (but about to get a pair of safari tanks fitted) I was wondering why you didn't take the tanks off to wrap them?

well he was heating them so I assume so that the bolt holes would not move on them maybe?

Rock Junkee · 05-21-2012, 01:23 PM

Love the KTM 990 logo bad ass!!

DesertSurfer · 05-21-2012, 02:08 PM

You already proved your intestinal fortitude taking a flame gun to a new set of Safari's. We will all be better off from the outcome no matter which way it turns out regarding... to wrap or not to wrap. And hopefully we will all be a bit more colorful after the final results, including carbon grey, Rally blue and Bright silver.
Venture on and well done.

Narsisco Lopez · 05-21-2012, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DesertSurfer

You already proved your intestinal fortitude taking a flame gun to a new set of Safari's. We will all be better off from the outcome no matter which way it turns out regarding... to wrap or not to wrap. And hopefully we will all be a bit more colorful after the final results, including carbon grey, Rally blue and Bright silver.
Venture on and well done.

To be honest, I had the heebie-jeebies when he was heating up the second tank (wasn't even thinking about it when he was doing the first, for some reason). Kept visualizing a flame-up or worse! I had a death-grip on the fire extinguisher!

But, not so much as a spark...

To elaborate, I believe the 3M big brains suggested applying heat first to aid the primer's ability to bond the vinyl's adhesive to the tank's plastic surface.

FYI: The "carbon fiber" gray, white, and blue vinyl that 3M has are BAD ASS. I'll see if I can get my brother to give me some samples to photograph and post.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BaronVonDarrin

Quote:

Originally Posted by syzygy9

Knowing absolutely nothing about vinyl wrap (but about to get a pair of safari tanks fitted) I was wondering why you didn't take the tanks off to wrap them?

well he was heating them so I assume so that the bolt holes would not move on them maybe?

Like I said above, he prefers to wrap on fixed surfaces for leverage... lot's of pulling and stretching go on and it's preferrable to work on a solid, non-moving surface.

Narsisco Lopez · 05-23-2012, 04:47 PM

My brother rolled over after work and put on the custom logo/graphics...

Not the best photos... raining out and crappy light in the garage. I'll take some more this weekend while on the big 2012 Dinosaur Run and post when I'm back. That's if I haven't dumped the bike numerous times and completely ruined my brother's handywork!

MrLebowski · 05-23-2012, 06:21 PM

Bravo sir... Bravo!

CharlieFox · 06-09-2012, 11:55 AM

Bump....
Is the wrap staying in place with the movement of the tanks?

Narsisco Lopez · 06-09-2012, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CharlieFox

Bump....
Is the wrap staying in place with the movement of the tanks?

So far, so good...

Just took these shots just for this post a few minutes ago...

Some minor scuffing from road and off-road riding (it IS a dirt bike after all

). You may have noticed I slapped on some Tech Spec pads (cut for a Triumph Speed Triple... seemed to be the best fit) to keep off the worst of my knee scuffs.

The temps are starting to climb here in the Denver area... we were around the low/mid 90s today. So, we'll see if that effects the holding power of the vinyl or if the tank's outgassing starts to have an effect.

Keep those fingers crossed for me

CharlieFox · 06-09-2012, 05:44 PM

05-21-2012, 05:53 AM	#18
syzygy9 Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Jan 2011 Location: Perth, Australia Oddometer: 239	Knowing absolutely nothing about vinyl wrap (but about to get a pair of safari tanks fitted) I was wondering why you didn't take the tanks off to wrap them? __________________ __________________________ bikeless no longer! welcome home, 2011 KTM 990 Adventure!

05-21-2012, 10:32 AM	#19
kanur Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Nov 2007 Location: Cape Girardeau, MO Oddometer: 492	Very Nice __________________ I heard the North Star saying, kid you're so lost even I can't bring you home. RIP Jason Molina

05-21-2012, 12:20 PM	#20
Terence FFM prof. cat-herder Joined: Apr 2006 Location: Frankfurt, Germany Oddometer: 341	sweet I gotta say, I like your logo better than the new one from KTM too. __________________ "The powerful will delegate to the untalented until failure is achieved" Dogbert, CEO

05-21-2012, 01:01 PM	#21
Katoom119 Mmmm....Orange Kool-aid Joined: Jun 2007 Location: Charlotte School of Law Library..... Oddometer: 1,532	If that works I'm probably going to seal mine so I don't have to keep pushing air bubbles out of my stickers. __________________ Those who dance are considered crazy by those who do not hear the music. I am not the same having seen the moon shine on the other side of the world. - Radmacher 5 Cylinders vs. Moab..........My East Tennessee

05-21-2012, 01:23 PM	#23
Rock Junkee Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Aug 2011 Location: Crawlorado Oddometer: 101	Love the KTM 990 logo bad ass!! __________________ KTM 08 990 Adventure KTM 01 520 SX KTM 06 300 XC-W-SXS top end mod Wife rides KTM 05 200 XC-W 2008 Honda Xr 650L

05-21-2012, 02:08 PM	#24
DesertSurfer Tail sprayin Joined: Feb 2009 Location: City of the Angels Oddometer: 846	No worries about crow here... You already proved your intestinal fortitude taking a flame gun to a new set of Safari's. We will all be better off from the outcome no matter which way it turns out regarding... to wrap or not to wrap. And hopefully we will all be a bit more colorful after the final results, including carbon grey, Rally blue and Bright silver. Venture on and well done. __________________ '"This whole memory lapse is gett'in to me. Hopefully I think I'll outgrow it."

05-23-2012, 04:47 PM	#26
Narsisco Lopez ^OP Addlepated Joined: Jul 2010 Location: Golden (Showers), Colorado Oddometer: 2,053	My brother rolled over after work and put on the custom logo/graphics... Not the best photos... raining out and crappy light in the garage. I'll take some more this weekend while on the big 2012 Dinosaur Run and post when I'm back. That's if I haven't dumped the bike numerous times and completely ruined my brother's handywork! __________________ FYYFF! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NtpUv4VBDhA Bikes 2012 BMW K13S \| 2009 KTM 990 Adventure (SOLD!) \| 2003 Suzuki DRZ400E

05-23-2012, 06:21 PM	#27
MrLebowski Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Jul 2011 Location: Lander, Wyoming Oddometer: 152	Bravo sir... Bravo!

06-09-2012, 11:55 AM	#28
CharlieFox Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Mar 2008 Location: SLC, Utah Oddometer: 123	Bump.... Is the wrap staying in place with the movement of the tanks?

06-09-2012, 05:44 PM	#30
CharlieFox Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Mar 2008 Location: SLC, Utah Oddometer: 123

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