DIY Color change using 3M Car wrapping Viny;

[tgeliot]

I would like to know what will happen the first time I drop the bike and give it what would have been yet another little scratch. Will the vinyl get cut and start peeling?

[KucharskiPaul]

Originally Posted by fritzcoinc

Did you mist the surface with water before putting the wrap on and then squegie water out?
I am amazed you streched the wrap around the tank like that.
I have a fairing that could use taht treatment.
How do you think it would stick over fairly deep but smoothed out scratches?

No. I wasn't using any water. Vinyl has micro-pores and is very easy to wrap and remove air bubbles. Wrapping tank was quiet easy - 6 hands & heat gun

[malokam]

How thick is this stuff? I might wanna do my DR650 in the future.
How resistant do you think this stuff is to scratches and cuts?

[steve_k]

Cool, I like it!

[usafstud]

How about wrapping cracked fairings? Will it look bad and obvious?

[KucharskiPaul]

Vinyl is very thin so wrapping damaged fairings will look bad - all scratches wil be visible.
How damage resistans is vinyl? I don't know. After 4 000 km with tank bag (about 1 500) in rain I didn't notice any scratches. Before having vinyl paint was more and more damaged after each trip with tank bag in rain, so I think it's more scratch resistant than paint.

[Dogscout]

I applaud you, it looks great. Its just that it looks like the bikes that the local sheriff's department ride. White with gold and black striping.

I did the AL panels on my GS in Tiger Stripes.

[Truckin_Thumper]

man that is fantastic!

Now I know what to do when I plan my big bank heist!

[showkey]

Originally Posted by Truckin_Thumper

man that is fantastic!

Now I know what to do when I plan my big bank heist!

Tiger stripes vinyl wrap as a disguise........full body or just the head

[willys]

I'm curious....? Would this stuff form itself with heat around a helmet and still look good? If so, can you get that neon yellow Hi-viz colour, as the helmet I use is so comfortable I can't find one in Hi-Viz.....so I an either painting it or looking at this option.....thanks.

[moymurfs]

It's good stuff, I used flat black to reduce the sun reflecting back into my face off of the stock silver on my 08 KLR when I had it. It was more in the dash area so there was no worry about crappy scratches.

[SamRus]

So question for the US folks who did something like this.
Do you have to report change of color to DMV? Do you need to update Title or Insurance if you go from say Red to Blue? How much effort and money is it?

I wouldn't want to try to explain a cop that it really is a red bike, it just looks very blue
Not sure if that would go over well, especially if he pulled me over for something else...

[showkey]

Originally Posted by Sergeev

So question for the US folks who did something like this.
Do you have to report change of color to DMV? Do you need to update Title or Insurance if you go from say Red to Blue? How much effort and money is it?

I wouldn't want to try to explain a cop that it really is a red bike, it just looks very blue
Not sure if that would go over well, especially if he pulled me over for something else...

NOT really a problem or concern, "KGB is more relaxed here".............Plate # and VIN number are the only real identifiers used.............color is way down on the list and is very subjective as the title might say white for red, white and blue bike.

Had a HONDA sticker on a Mitsubshi truck some years back .....got in an accident cops put HONDA down on the report for the make...................

I do not think my insurance ever asked the color......

Depending on the size (fairing) your looking a couple of hundered for DIY motorcycle depending how frugle you are with the waste.

There is a technique and learning curve too make it look good

60" wide by running foot is $32.00 ($32 per running foot) brushed finish metal look, is easily found on the internet, carbon fiber look price at $23 per running foot 60" width and $13 for 30" running foot prices may vary slightly.
http://www.topvinylfilms.com/products/3D_Flexible_Black_Carbon_Fiber_II_Wrap_Vinyl-1850-4.html

[showkey]

Originally Posted by willys

I'm curious....? Would this stuff form itself with heat around a helmet and still look good? If so, can you get that neon yellow Hi-viz colour, as the helmet I use is so comfortable I can't find one in Hi-Viz.....so I an either painting it or looking at this option.....thanks.

http://www.surfcitysigns.com/vehicle-graphics/helmet-wraps/

Full face but does not how

http://www.ndgraphics.com/helmet-wrap-3m-ij-380-vinyl-video/

These guys did a helmet (not a full face).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1bX9uh5Zfs

[Purcell69]

Originally Posted by Sergeev

So question for the US folks who did something like this.
Do you have to report change of color to DMV? Do you need to update Title or Insurance if you go from say Red to Blue? How much effort and money is it?

I wouldn't want to try to explain a cop that it really is a red bike, it just looks very blue
Not sure if that would go over well, especially if he pulled me over for something else...

The color issue will vary from State to State. Many States don't list vehicle color in the registration information. For the ones taht do, keep in mind that the change in color is only temporary and the bike can be changed back to the original, registered color in a very short period of time. If the State you live in is very picky when it comes to vehicle color information, you may want to pose the question to the State DMV.

And to the OP, what a great idea! I wonder how well it would work over a plastic tank, ie would it bubble up like grapics do, or could it be used to affix graphics without bubbling. Hmmm...

-Joe