Decals over or under clearcoat

Ii painted my bike a few weeks back with 2K Base coat/ clear coat. This was first time using 2k and I'm pretty happy with how it came out , Were the factory decals placed under or over a clear coat if it even had a clear coat. As the bike had been painted by a previous owner and did not have any decals
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In 1979 the decal is over the finish.

On my 1977 KZ650-C1 the tank decals are under the clear coat and the side cover and tail decals are over the clear coat. I've owned it since new, so I know for sure that it came that way from the factory. Also, I own a new old stock tank and 2 side covers for my model and they are done the same way. I suspect other models probably were different. Ed

I've got a set of 82 GPz bodywork in my shop and the clear coat is coming off of the sunny side of the tank and tail. (opposite the kickstand) On that bike the billboard stripes are under the clear coat.

I'm not a painter but used the SprayMax 2K products on my last project. Shaker cans. I shot 3 coats of clear, wet sanded which was terrifying and made it look like hell, added stripes and then shot 3 more coats of clear coat. It came out well for my money.



I'll add that my 79 KZ650SR has stripes under the clear on the tank and on top of the clear on the fenders. Go figure.

Thanks guys
Was kind of hoping ( feeling lazy) that i would bypass the wrecking shiny paint stage. as that is how it came from the factory. looks like i have got a bit more work to do,. So much for a quick polish and slap the stickers on

I've got a set of 82 GPz bodywork in my shop and the clear coat is coming off of the sunny side of the tank and tail. (opposite the kickstand) On that bike the billboard stripes are under the clear coat.

Hey nice paint job ajsfirehawk, i will be stoked if my paint comes out anywhere near as nice as that,,
like you i have sprayed 3 coats of clear, so fingers crossed if i take my time wet sanding it should work out nice.

Your pics suggest yours will. I would wet sand with 1000 grit, go slowly and if you see ANY redish color showing up stop immediately. With three coats and 1000 grit you should have a problem. Super careful on corners. You do have to 'crack the surface of 2K clear if it has dried for 24 hours or more to keep the final clear from lifting. I did not try to sand mine to perfectly flat. I left a bit of orange peel. With metallic colors, sanding through to the color and you get to start over....completely. Good luck, I'm interested to see how this one comes out.
PS - If you don't mind shoot me a PM for where you picked up the decals. Thanks

The GPz decal's are very large and wide. Not the same thing as some thin pinstripes that are easy to bury under clear. I'd wait for some GPz guys to chime in with what was done by the factory and then I'd match that. Decal's that are designed to go under clear are typically thin and fragile while thicker decals designed to go over the paint are more sturdy.

I can post pictures of the factory clear coat peeling off the top of the decals on an 82 GPz if that helps.

It may be that Kawasaki put the decals under the clear coat on the tanks just to prevent accidental fuel spills from eating the pinstripes off.

ajsfirehawk wrote: I can post pictures of the factory clear coat peeling off the top of the decals on an 82 GPz if that helps.

That would be great thanks,. is the clear coat also over the decals on the side covers and tail piece as well?
Looking at some pictures on ebay of old original side panels they appear to be damaged in a way that wouldn't happen with a CC finish, but that dosnt mean it isn't.

I bought the decal set from these guys as i had previously bought from them and was happy with their quality and service.
They say they only use quality materials and the decals can be clear coated
www.classicreproductiondecalsandparts.com

Classic Reproduction Decals says "All our decals are made of 70 gram 9 year vinyl and are made to be lacquered finished."

I would not use a lacquer clear coat on a gas tank.

In the UK where they are from it seems to be common to refer to 2K as a type of lacquer as well. Go figure
Speaking with them the assured me 2K would be fine.