Safari Tank Wrap Experiment - Graphics Feedback Requested

[Narsisco Lopez]

As some may know, I finally got my Safari tanks (after a LOT of bugging CJ, Ben, and the good people at Aqualine... I'm now probably known as, "Narsisco the PITA" ).

My brother (a 3M/Original Wraps employee and excellent graphics designer in his own right) did me a solid and was able to do a "test wrap" of my right side tank... testing various prepping/bonding agent methods in an attempt to get the vinyl to stick for "an extended amount of time" (more on that as the clock ticks).

Anyway... not wanting my bike to look TOO much like I totally copied Geek (kinda hard when his new suspension makes my bike look like something Danny Devito would be comfy riding!), I'm in the process of designing a graphics/decal set to lay over the "carbon fiber" 3M vinyl. Here's my first mock-up...



Thoughts, comments, reactions, suggestions?

[Deadly99]

Be careful, Geek is gonna be pissed off if you out carbon him

I don't see how your going to keep them from bubbling since the gas fumes come through the tank....but who knows. Sometimes trying is half the fun

[BELSTAFF]

That is OUTSTANDING !!!!! makes me want a set now that theres a way to make the tanks look like

they were not made in the basement of Dr Frankenstein's lab

[v8toilet]

Just a thought but if the graphics were perforated would that alleviate the bubbling?

[Narsisco Lopez]

Originally Posted by Deadly99

I don't see how your going to keep them from bubbling since the gas fumes come through the tank....but who knows. Sometimes trying is half the fun

Yeah, I know... not saying we're some kinda evil geniuses, just giving it a try with some very thorough prepping and trying different bonding agents. What's cool about using the newer 3M vehicle vinyls is that even if they start to lift, some "squeegee persuasion" can be applied as it starts to happen to at least attempt to lay it back down. Probably won't work long-term, but oh well... it IS a fun experiment.

This thread is really just about the decal design.

[Narsisco Lopez]

Originally Posted by v8toilet

Just a thought but if the graphics were perforated would that alleviate the bubbling?

Already ahead of you... and that's the next experiment if this one goes south in a big hurry. We've already got some perfed scraps set aside to test... may just go ahead and try it on the left tank next week.

[Narsisco Lopez]

Originally Posted by BELSTAFF

That is OUTSTANDING !!!!! makes me want a set now that theres a way to make the tanks look like

they were not made in the basement of Dr Frankenstein's lab

Hold your horses there, Belstaff

This is JUST a test... as stated above, the odds are not good that'll stick for any reasonable length of time. Since my brother is in the biz and gets scraps and odd and ends, it's a pretty affordable test for me to do. And, if I can get, say, 6 months out of a partial wrap like this, then I'd be happy. I just don't think it's viable for someone without a family member or friend in the wrap biz... it could get SPENDY fast if you've gotta replace it every 6 months or so. And, 6 months is more than likely overly optimistic. Just have to see what happens to this test wrap.

[Deadly99]

Originally Posted by Narsisco Lopez

Yeah, I know... not saying we're some kinda evil geniuses, just giving it a try with some very thorough prepping and trying different bonding agents. What's cool about using the newer 3M vehicle vinyls is that even if they start to lift, some "squeegee persuasion" can be applied as it starts to happen to at least attempt to lay it back down. Probably won't work long-term, but oh well... it IS a fun experiment.

This thread is really just about the decal design.

Sorry, wasn't trying to be negative, it looks kick ass.

[BELSTAFF]

WELL____ as long as it takes to have the aussies git-it--in -gear your test results should be confirmed and a comitment could be made -----say a year or so

[Unstable Rider]

nice

someone has some mad skills.

[Narsisco Lopez]

Originally Posted by Unstable Rider

nice

someone has some mad skills.

My brother definitely has mad skills as a wrapper. I've just got some fairly decent Photoshop skills

[Hondo]

If you perforate the decals with a grid of small holes the decals may stick better.

[DesertSurfer]

Pretty courageous to experiment on a new set of expensive tanks. And all for our benefit. Very genuine of you. In my opinion, finding a way to give the SF tank the look of a better finish is what they need. And you've at least temporarily succeeded. I image everyone who owns a white, er, yellowish tank would jump at the idea. Maybe it will reduce the UV? Who knows. I can see CF wrap mission creeping it's way back to your side covers?

Thanks for the encouraging insight and keep us posted on your progress.

[zeropoint]

Now that is a cool graphic!

[japslap]

This may be a stupid question,but why is it that the makers of these aftermarket tanks,cant get the same finish that KTM do on the factory ones.ie why are they porous? iv never had anyone answer me that one,my buddy had a CCM which had a plastic tank,and the paint and decals just peeled right off.Im guessing that my orange 990 has the colour injected into the plastic,or is it that it has an inner container that holds the fuel and that is then bonded to the outer tank.Thing is say here in the UK i go to the petrol station and fill up one of the 5 litre plastic jerry cans with fuel and put it in the boot of the car,that does'nt leak or become porous,so wondering why the Aqualine tanks etc do.