Replacement decal sets

Mcdroid wrote: Reproduction Decal/Diablo has really changed since I last purchased from them...they apparently no longer offer any GPZ750/1100 decal sets. Guess the market is changing.

Yeah noticed that as I'm going to be in the market for the 82 GPz 750.Drat!

Thank you. By trimming the paper for the upper stripes will it make placement (location) difficult? I hadplanned on going with a solid black but think the graphics would look great on black.
Wayne

PaintWorkz wrote: The 74 decals will go on easy except for the upper yellow tank stripes. For those trim all the paper away within a 1/16 " of the yellow and be sure to use the soap and water mix and start from the back of the tank. On the upper 75 white stripes I ended up pulling all the paper off and laying them on and stretching them like pin stripping tape, and then cutting the ends to match the black stripe with an X-acto knife.

kzz1king wrote: I want to do the total nightmare one :laugh: I am thinking the white and yellow graphics used on the 74 green ones on black bodywork.
Wayne

quote="PaintWorkz" post=623714]Diablo and Reproduction is the same company. Very good quality decals. Decals are sometimes tricky to apply. When you have a flat decal on a piece of flat paper going on a curved surface it wants to get wrinkles. Think of applying a 12 inch square piece of contact paper to basketball........you are going to struggle with it. It all depends on what tank the decals are going on. A flat sided 78 Z1R was easy.... 76 KZ900 not too bad....75 Z1 and 75 H1 was a nightmare.

There is a decal guy from the UK on eBay with super low prices.... he uses pictures from Reproduction decals and sells you total junk!

[/quote]

I have been using Reproduction Decals/Diablo Cycle for quite some time. Their products are top of the line, I highly recommend them, they are very friendly and their customer service is second to none. They are about a two hour bike ride away from me, so ocasionally I go for a ride there to pick up my stuff.

kzz1king wrote: Thank you. By trimming the paper for the upper stripes will it make placement (location) difficult? I hadplanned on going with a solid black but think the graphics would look great on black.
Wayne

The instruction will say to trim away excess paper. Using masking tape you need to lay out some reference points for the the stripes to line up to first. When you have the decals you will see the issue of wrapping a flat sheet decal around a curved tank..... before you pull the paper off the sticky side of the decals. Just follow their instructions and take your time and they will come out OK.

Thanks again, appreciate the help and I am starting to get the picture now!
Wayne

PaintWorkz wrote:

kzz1king wrote: Thank you. By trimming the paper for the upper stripes will it make placement (location) difficult? I hadplanned on going with a solid black but think the graphics would look great on black.
Wayne

The instruction will say to trim away excess paper. Using masking tape you need to lay out some reference points for the the stripes to line up to first. When you have the decals you will see the issue of wrapping a flat sheet decal around a curved tank..... before you pull the paper off the sticky side of the decals. Just follow their instructions and take your time and they will come out OK.

We have a digital department where I work...(banners, vinyl truck lettering, etc.) I am considering making my own stripe set, but regarding any vinyl graphics application, on a surface that is curved on 3 planes, you might find it helpful to use a blowdyer on high heat to slightly soften larger stickers as you work across...tends to make the vinyl "drape" a bit...more forgiving...but go slowly, precisely, and gently...lightly soaped water under, and a soft plastic squeegee on top are your friends! fwiw!

The newer wrap materials( higher end vinyl) has microscopic air vents within the material and doesn't use application tape and is (semi) repositionable. you can position it dry pop it loose and reposition it doesn't actually adhere until you apply pressure 3M & Orafol are a couple that Make this vinyl and higher end shops offer decals made of this
a general clue is the statement "no application tape needed"

as with any curved surface the contour should be cut into the vinyl the straight line wont look straight on the backing paper. even the contoured pieces that are curved wont lay real easy with the application tape (paper or clear covering)

ask your vinyl guy if he is using Rapid Air or similar vented vinyl
if your supplier is using the same materials he was 3 yrs ago he is lightyears behind the innovation in Vinyl

I have a friend who stays on the cutting edge (no pun intended) of vinyl graphics
the old days of application tape and a little soap mixed with water wet applications are no longer necessary its mostly patience and not getting ahead of the application.

The good news is if the back says orajet 3M orafol or other name brands it doesn't matter what cheap cutter cut it. it will be of decent quality

Great info Ram , thanks man.
Wayne

ramtough_63 wrote: The newer wrap materials( higher end vinyl) has microscopic air vents within the material and doesn't use application tape and is (semi) repositionable. you can position it dry pop it loose and reposition it doesn't actually adhere until you apply pressure 3M & Orafol are a couple that Make this vinyl and higher end shops offer decals made of this
a general clue is the statement "no application tape needed"

as with any curved surface the contour should be cut into the vinyl the straight line wont look straight on the backing paper. even the contoured pieces that are curved wont lay real easy with the application tape (paper or clear covering)

ask your vinyl guy if he is using Rapid Air or similar vented vinyl
if your supplier is using the same materials he was 3 yrs ago he is lightyears behind the innovation in Vinyl

I have a friend who stays on the cutting edge (no pun intended) of vinyl graphics
the old days of application tape and a little soap mixed with water wet applications are no longer necessary its mostly patience and not getting ahead of the application.

The good news is if the back says orajet 3M orafol or other name brands it doesn't matter what cheap cutter cut it. it will be of decent quality