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. 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.
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 <a href="http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?p=18753070" target="_new">2012 Dinosaur Run</a> and post when I'm back. That's if I haven't dumped the bike numerous times and completely ruined my brother's handywork!
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
Charlie... YOU JINXED ME! Just came out after lunch with a fellow KTM rider (XtremeJeep... good BSing with you over grub!) and found this... BUBBLES! I guess a black bike sitting in a parking lot devoid of trees around 1pm on a 89 degree sunny Denver area day gets hot. About 10 minutes with a sharp Exacto knife and some steady, even thumb pressure seems to erase these unsightly zits... Keeping an eye out and will report back tomorrow on the state of affairs.
It's going to hapen again, which is too bad because it looks great and I know it took a bunch of work and skill to get done. There is a reason while all graphics meant to go on poly gas tanks like the Safari's are perforated.
Thanks for sending me that link. The Kreem tank seal project might be on the list... for our long Colorado winter
i do wrapping in the uk, but you wouldnt ever catch me putting a primer on, or using heat unless necessary, with a heatgun, not a blowtorch.... the 3m stuff aint recommended for outdoor use, and you seem to have some lifting already above the indicators where it changes direction. as a wrapper, we would apply to different peices, and match the weave. it does look fantastic though from a few feet back where the photo was taken
You don't use 3M vinyl in the UK for outdoor use? In the US, 3M vehicle vinyl is pretty much the industry standard. As I mention above, it was the 3M chemists who recommended heat and primer is also pretty much SOP.
FWIW, I have had the 3M stuff on the outside of my car for about 3 years here in Colorado without a single issue. Snow, sun, ice, rain, still looks like the day I out it on.