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Location: Venado Tuerto, ARG
Hi guys, we recently installed a graphics kit on a YZ 250 and the tank ones are starting to have air bubbles. I know it is beacause of fuel gases, but how can the original graphics stay put and never have this problem? Is there anything you can do to prevent this from happening? Thanks
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Location: Santa Clarita, CA USA
Andy7 wrote:
Hi guys, we recently installed a graphics kit on a YZ 250 and the tank ones are starting to have air bubbles. I know it is beacause of fuel gases, but how can the original graphics stay put and never have this problem? Is there anything you can do to prevent this from happening? Thanks
Weird isn't it? Mine are perforated and still bubble. It sucks. Nothing I know of to fix it other than pushing them out.
2017 RMZ450
2005 YZ250-sold :,(
1998 YZ250
2005 KX250F
80% of the time it works every time
IG @hamdaddyof2 & @2HRacing
Thanks to : Factory Effex, N2Dirt, Acerbis, DT1, Fasthouse, Matix, FMF, ASV, 100% & Mika Metals
Posts: 169
Joined: 2/24/2017
Location: Venado Tuerto, ARG
mattyhamz2 wrote:
Weird isn't it? Mine are perforated and still bubble. It sucks. Nothing I know of to fix it other than pushing them out.
I don't know how difficult it is to design shrouds that cover the tank haha. The graphics guy told me that the original ones are made of a special material that lets the gases flow through them without bubbling, but he cannot find it.
Heavy Hitter
Posts: 8355
Joined: 7/6/2015
Location: Santa Clarita, CA USA
Andy7 wrote:
Hi guys, we recently installed a graphics kit on a YZ 250 and the tank ones are starting to have air bubbles. I know it is beacause of fuel gases, but how can the original graphics stay put and never have this problem? Is there anything you can do to prevent this from happening? Thanks
mattyhamz2 wrote:
Weird isn't it? Mine are perforated and still bubble. It sucks. Nothing I know of to fix it other than pushing them out.
Andy7 wrote:
I don't know how difficult it is to design shrouds that cover the tank haha. The graphics guy told me that the original ones are made of a special material that lets the gases flow through them without bubbling, but he cannot find it.
Lol. Are your perforated at least?
2017 RMZ450
2005 YZ250-sold :,(
1998 YZ250
2005 KX250F
80% of the time it works every time
IG @hamdaddyof2 & @2HRacing
Thanks to : Factory Effex, N2Dirt, Acerbis, DT1, Fasthouse, Matix, FMF, ASV, 100% & Mika Metals
Posts: 169
Joined: 2/24/2017
Location: Venado Tuerto, ARG
mattyhamz2 wrote:
Lol. Are your perforated at least?
Yes they are, but once the glue is done I'm screwed
Heavy Hitter
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Joined: 7/6/2015
Location: Santa Clarita, CA USA
Andy7 wrote:
I don't know how difficult it is to design shrouds that cover the tank haha. The graphics guy told me that the original ones are made of a special material that lets the gases flow through them without bubbling, but he cannot find it.
mattyhamz2 wrote:
Lol. Are your perforated at least?
Andy7 wrote:
Yes they are, but once the glue is done I'm screwed
When mine bubbled up I started working the bubbles out and got most of them and now it looks almost like it did when I first put them on
2017 RMZ450
2005 YZ250-sold :,(
1998 YZ250
2005 KX250F
80% of the time it works every time
IG @hamdaddyof2 & @2HRacing
Thanks to : Factory Effex, N2Dirt, Acerbis, DT1, Fasthouse, Matix, FMF, ASV, 100% & Mika Metals
Posts: 411
Joined: 1/29/2018
Location: Bethania, NC USA
I had the same issue on my yz250 tank graphics. I installed them, looked great and next day looked awful. I was tempted to tear em off but i rode more and more with them and they stopped bubbling as bad. Also another resason why i dont get a design that the tank graphics are essential to the look.
Posts: 2601
Joined: 10/1/2006
Location: AZ, USA
I have no bubbling on either my YZ125 or YZ250. Graphics are from DeCal Works and have been on there for years. I think it's a good idea to completely drain the tank first, wash it out with soap and water, let it dry out completely (days), apply the graphics, and then let it dry completely again for days before putting gas in. That lets the adhesive cure before the gas fumes start attacking it.
Powerband in every gear !
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Location: st cloud, FL USA
Posts: 389
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Location: Costa Mesa, CA USA
Andy7 wrote:
Hi guys, we recently installed a graphics kit on a YZ 250 and the tank ones are starting to have air bubbles. I know it is beacause of fuel gases, but how can the original graphics stay put and never have this problem? Is there anything you can do to prevent this from happening? Thanks
OEM graphics have a special glue that is resistant to fumes: two parts whale sperm, one part fairy dust. That and they are applied before the tank is 'saturated' with gas, and therefore, it is able to bond.
KTM250SX YZ125 YZ85 PW80 ZX6 FZX700
Posts: 91
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Location: San Diego, CA USA
The perforated tank graphics do that on every bike. As soon as I got graphics that were not perforated, i have never had an issue. Also, are you using a heat gun to apply ? This helps them stick really good, at minimum let them sit out in the sun before applying, so they are more pliable and stick better.
Not sure why you would need to empty the gas tank like someone mentioned? hmm, just make sure the outside is nice and clean.
Posts: 2744
Joined: 5/25/2010
Location: Kent,medway...., GBR
Andy7 wrote:
Hi guys, we recently installed a graphics kit on a YZ 250 and the tank ones are starting to have air bubbles. I know it is beacause of fuel gases, but how can the original graphics stay put and never have this problem? Is there anything you can do to prevent this from happening? Thanks
mattyhamz2 wrote:
Weird isn't it? Mine are perforated and still bubble. It sucks. Nothing I know of to fix it other than pushing them out.
Andy7 wrote:
I don't know how difficult it is to design shrouds that cover the tank haha. The graphics guy told me that the original ones are made of a special material that lets the gases flow through them without bubbling, but he cannot find it.
You can buy these carbon fibre tank covers on ebay...the older the tank the more it will happen as the plastic deteriorate's over time....
Link here...https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CARBON-TANK-COVER-YAMAHA-YZ-125-250-2005-2018/232963254939?hash=item363db12a9b:g:YM8AAOSw011bj~64 
Posts: 169
Joined: 2/24/2017
Location: Venado Tuerto, ARG
smezmx wrote:
You can buy these carbon fibre tank covers on ebay...the older the tank the more it will happen as the plastic deteriorate's over time....
Link here...https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CARBON-TANK-COVER-YAMAHA-YZ-125-250-2005-2018/232963254939?hash=item363db12a9b:g:YM8AAOSw011bj~64
Didn't know about them, thanks a lot!
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Posts: 2744
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Andy7 wrote:
I don't know how difficult it is to design shrouds that cover the tank haha. The graphics guy told me that the original ones are made of a special material that lets the gases flow through them without bubbling, but he cannot find it.
smezmx wrote:
You can buy these carbon fibre tank covers on ebay...the older the tank the more it will happen as the plastic deteriorate's over time....
Link here...https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CARBON-TANK-COVER-YAMAHA-YZ-125-250-2005-2018/232963254939?hash=item363db12a9b:g:YM8AAOSw011bj~64
Andy7 wrote:
Didn't know about them, thanks a lot!
No worry's these guy's in japan also make good quality plastic full coverage tank shrouds for the yz in white black blue and carbon effect...a few freestyle guy's use them....this allows colour change with no bubbles...
Link here https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=959630587433958&id=500137910049897&anchor_composer=false
Posts: 2601
Joined: 10/1/2006
Location: AZ, USA
SBD wrote:
The perforated tank graphics do that on every bike. As soon as I got graphics that were not perforated, i have never had an issue. Also, are you using a heat gun to apply ? This helps them stick really good, at minimum let them sit out in the sun before applying, so they are more pliable and stick better.
Not sure why you would need to empty the gas tank like someone mentioned? hmm, just make sure the outside is nice and clean.
It helps to drain the tank because the gas fumes creep right through the plastic. That's what causes the bubbling of the graphics. If you drain it and clean it out it gives the adhesive a chance to cure before you put gas in again.
Powerband in every gear !
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Joined: 4/29/2014
Location: NLD
Andy7 wrote:
Hi guys, we recently installed a graphics kit on a YZ 250 and the tank ones are starting to have air bubbles. I know it is beacause of fuel gases, but how can the original graphics stay put and never have this problem? Is there anything you can do to prevent this from happening? Thanks
Warm it up with a hair fohn, push the bubble`s away, 3 a 4 days replay and its oke.
