Who loves installing graphics??

Black Diesel Bomber
Edited Date/Time 4/3/2021 12:46am
I have three sets to install and I just dread it every time....there's always that one guy who gets them perfectly aligned with no bubbles or wrinkles. It's the one thing I can't stand doing because I want them perfect and burn a lot of brain cells in the process.

Do you prefer to install them with plastics on or off the bike? I think plastics on the bike would be the popular choice?
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SoCalMX70
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SoCalMX70 4/1/2021 9:54pm
4/1/2021 9:54pm Edited Date/Time 4/1/2021 10:36pm
I've probably done 8 or 9 installs the past couple years... I hate it, but I've certainly gotten better.

I'm actually looking forward to the day I move on from my YZ (shroud AND tank sections of graphics).

Edit: Plastics ON the bike. Every time. Except the front number plate for obvious reasons.
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Hi Side
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Hi Side 4/1/2021 10:19pm
4/1/2021 10:19pm
My wife does mine and they come out perfect every time. She's meticulous and very patient. She's a master with that Revlon hair dryer! LOL
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FWYT
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FWYT 4/1/2021 10:32pm
4/1/2021 10:32pm
Good lord, I consider myself pretty handy and definitely do all my own work but graphics . . . .
I'd rather run hammered graphics than new ones that I fill with air bubbles. hahah
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The Shop

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Ryan625
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Ryan625 4/1/2021 10:47pm
4/1/2021 10:47pm
I get a good buzz on while taking all the plastics off the bike and install them dry...hit them with the hair dryer when done. It’s great and I’m usually drunk by then end of it lol

Always turn out great. I’ve done countless snowmobile wraps and full bike kits this way🤷🏻‍♂️
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tireguy111
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tireguy111 4/1/2021 10:55pm
4/1/2021 10:55pm
I would rather change tires or air filters rather than installing graphics...
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mattyhamz2 4/1/2021 10:56pm
4/1/2021 10:56pm
Plastic on the bike so they are solid in place. Less to fight against.
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cmotodad
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Yorba Linda, CA US
cmotodad 4/1/2021 10:58pm
4/1/2021 10:58pm
Just finished putting the new graphics on the CR250 for the 2Stroke race. No wrinkles or air bubbles and not misaligned. Off bike, I hate doing them and no interest in doing anymore for a year or so.
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Spudnut
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Spudnut 4/1/2021 11:01pm
4/1/2021 11:01pm
It’s pretty easy once you’ve done enough and Have a method you like

Trust the process brother
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Teejay
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Teejay 4/1/2021 11:29pm
4/1/2021 11:29pm
On modern angular plastics I think they go on pretty easily, although seeing a bubble in mine does make me want to rip them off and start all over. Anyone remember doing Yz 426 exhaust side backgrounds? They made me want to set the bike on fire!
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smashingpumpkins167 4/2/2021 1:22am
4/2/2021 1:22am
I totally fudged up my splitfire graphics on one side. The big metal flake is tricky because it is a separate thin layer so you only get one shot to get it right because the flake will stay when the rest of the sticker comes up. I endes up with a wrinkle right above the P in the splitfire part.

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cwel11
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cwel11 4/2/2021 2:08am
4/2/2021 2:08am
I actually like doing them but I find it’s best to not be in a rush. If you even do a couple pieces then finish it up another day. If you can force yourself to be patient and take your time I think it’s actually become something I enjoy.
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ThePizzaCobra
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ThePizzaCobra 4/2/2021 2:37am
4/2/2021 2:37am
I enjoy installing them. It’s actually kind of therapeutic for me. Grab yourself a beer and a heat gun and go slow. Also, don’t be afraid to peel them back if you get an air bubble. I’ve always installed them with the plastics on the bike, but I did a set off the bike the other night and found that to be way cleaner.

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Dirtydeeds 4/2/2021 3:39am
4/2/2021 3:39am
I always take the plastic off the bike. I mist the plastic with windex. Allows you to move the graphics around a little and helps to line it up. work from the center or a ridge line in the plastics out. Then hit with the heat gun. Easy money every time. The windex is an absolute must.
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GForce MMG 4/2/2021 4:13am
4/2/2021 4:13am
Plastics on the bike. I use 50/50 rubbing alcohol/water with few drops of dish soap. Squeegee and hair dryer. Near perfect results every time. If you use this method you will enjoy installing graphics.
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jk367
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jk367 4/2/2021 5:32am
4/2/2021 5:32am
smashingpumpkins167 wrote:
I totally fudged up my splitfire graphics on one side. The big metal flake is tricky because it is a separate thin layer so you only...
I totally fudged up my splitfire graphics on one side. The big metal flake is tricky because it is a separate thin layer so you only get one shot to get it right because the flake will stay when the rest of the sticker comes up. I endes up with a wrinkle right above the P in the splitfire part.

Who did you’re graphics if you don’t mind me asking? Those are a killer match to the originals
smashingpumpkins167 4/2/2021 5:39am
4/2/2021 5:39am
smashingpumpkins167 wrote:
I totally fudged up my splitfire graphics on one side. The big metal flake is tricky because it is a separate thin layer so you only...
I totally fudged up my splitfire graphics on one side. The big metal flake is tricky because it is a separate thin layer so you only get one shot to get it right because the flake will stay when the rest of the sticker comes up. I endes up with a wrinkle right above the P in the splitfire part.

jk367 wrote:
Who did you’re graphics if you don’t mind me asking? Those are a killer match to the originals
Unbounded mx. He took a while to get them to me, but I think it was his first time doing the big flake. He's a busy guy. I reached out to him through Instagram
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Timo
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Timo 4/2/2021 5:52am
4/2/2021 5:52am
I'll run the stock graphics as long as possible, on my 04 KX250 that was 5 years, the entire time I owned it. My WR250F stock graphics lasted about a year, ran that bike with no graphics for 9 years. On my 450FX the stock graphics are molded into the shrouds, so they should last the life of the bike!

Pit Row

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Jardo
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Jardo 4/2/2021 5:59am
4/2/2021 5:59am Edited Date/Time 4/2/2021 6:19am
I do my own graphics and I swap graphics frequently as I'm always kind of testing new designs. I use body wrap vinyl and it lays down like butter, but it doesn't last like the thick stuff. I changed designs 3 times last year.

EDIT *I don't do them for the public so durability doesnt matter*
Dimblewambie
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Dimblewambie 4/2/2021 6:14am
4/2/2021 6:14am
I enjoy doing them now, use to dread it and would just run stock graphics while I have sets I bought but never installed. Same for seat covers but I feel I’ve gotten decent at those as well. Plastics off the bike for the most part, other than front/rear fenders usually.


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ktmdan
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ktmdan 4/2/2021 6:18am
4/2/2021 6:18am
windex and Plastics off the bike so I can sit in front of the tv Woohoo

swizcore
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swizcore 4/2/2021 6:42am
4/2/2021 6:42am
Weege loves it. Nothing better.
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Zeke27G
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Zeke27G 4/2/2021 6:52am
4/2/2021 6:52am
smashingpumpkins167 wrote:
I totally fudged up my splitfire graphics on one side. The big metal flake is tricky because it is a separate thin layer so you only...
I totally fudged up my splitfire graphics on one side. The big metal flake is tricky because it is a separate thin layer so you only get one shot to get it right because the flake will stay when the rest of the sticker comes up. I endes up with a wrinkle right above the P in the splitfire part.

jk367 wrote:
Who did you’re graphics if you don’t mind me asking? Those are a killer match to the originals
smashingpumpkins167 wrote:
Unbounded mx. He took a while to get them to me, but I think it was his first time doing the big flake. He's a busy...
Unbounded mx. He took a while to get them to me, but I think it was his first time doing the big flake. He's a busy guy. I reached out to him through Instagram
Have had good luck with them for retro graphics for my KX500! For anyone considering them, just be patient, he always comes through and it's well worth the wait!
Sachmo831
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Sachmo831 4/2/2021 7:13am
4/2/2021 7:13am
I've always done it off the bike. I cut all the excess backing off first. Then just line it up on the plastic and use masking tape to secure one end. Peel. Stick. Done.
dadofagun
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dadofagun 4/2/2021 7:22am
4/2/2021 7:22am
GForce MMG wrote:
Plastics on the bike. I use 50/50 rubbing alcohol/water with few drops of dish soap. Squeegee and hair dryer. Near perfect results every time. If you...
Plastics on the bike. I use 50/50 rubbing alcohol/water with few drops of dish soap. Squeegee and hair dryer. Near perfect results every time. If you use this method you will enjoy installing graphics.
Nailed it! I turn on the Sirius out in the shop, grab a 6 of my favorites, my creeper-seat, and take my time. Sometimes prior to installation, I'll toss a couple racks of ribs on the smoker. 3-4 hours later, my ride looks great, and I stare at it eating some damn good BBQ. Win win......
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RoflCopter726 4/2/2021 8:25am
4/2/2021 8:25am
When I did mine I did plastic off the bike, Windex (WITH NO AMMONIA), a heat gun (not hair dryer) and a squeegee. Came out perfect.
Johnny Lock 4/2/2021 8:37am
4/2/2021 8:37am
Ryan625 wrote:
I get a good buzz on while taking all the plastics off the bike and install them dry...hit them with the hair dryer when done. It’s...
I get a good buzz on while taking all the plastics off the bike and install them dry...hit them with the hair dryer when done. It’s great and I’m usually drunk by then end of it lol

Always turn out great. I’ve done countless snowmobile wraps and full bike kits this way🤷🏻‍♂️
Beer required for sure.

I’ve only done two in the past decade though.
bvm111
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bvm111 4/2/2021 8:37am
4/2/2021 8:37am
dry, on or off bike, use heat gun to slightly warm plastic and graphics, peel small corner back, line up graphics and set the corner down, peel rest off and work it down from high side to low. yes i get some bubbles and if i can peel back to remove i do if not i just use a needle and get rid of them that way. once and awhile i get it almost perfect, most the time it’s off a little but i’m the only one that notices.
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TeamGreen
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TeamGreen 4/2/2021 8:46am
4/2/2021 8:46am Edited Date/Time 4/2/2021 12:25pm
DeCal Works has instructions...I think on their site...that're are pretty good...
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Jbulz
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Jbulz 4/2/2021 10:01am
4/2/2021 10:01am
I really enjoy installing graphics and seat covers actually. Its relaxing, just take your time and think about how to best wrap the graphic around the curve while minimizing the amount it would have to stretch. That's the key to avoiding wrinkles.

I do mine dry with the plastics off the bike typically, unless there is a stripe or something that needs to be aligned on the bike between multiple pieces. I prefer to take the plastics inside and do them in front of the TV. A heat gun is a must if you get to a tight bend, and make sure the plastics are clean and degreased or they'll peel off in the sun.

This is my project for this afternoon


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