Decals over or under clearcoat

I have owned my KZ650-C1 since it was new (41 years). The paint is completely original. The decals on the fuel tank are under the clear coat and they look like new. Those tank decals cannot be felt with the fingernail since the clear coat is built up on them making them smooth with the rest of the paint. The decals on the side covers and tail piece do not appear to be under the clear coat and they too still look like new. Unlike the tank decals they can be felt with the fingernail, but I suppose it is possible that they have a very thin coat of clear coat over them. Ed

NINJA DAVE wrote: any decals on any bike if not laqured over will fade with sunlight,washing etc start peeling at edges etc YOU CAN EVEN APPLY ONCE LAQUERED,OR PAINTED WHEN DRY THEN LAQUER OVER i paint bike bits and cars,old bikes no problem newer stuff problems reacting and nightmare trying to match stuff up lol

I worked many years for a Japanese OEM car manufacturer and we often times would add graphics to vehicles at our port facilities. These graphics, typically supplied by 3M or Avery, were custom to our application and were designed to not require clear coat afterwards. Graphics designed to be cleared over are typically thinner. The graphics that can hold up to the UV and weather are thicker. You can still clear over many graphics that are designed to survive uncoated, and that may further boost their durability. Not exactly sure though.

650ed wrote: I have owned my KZ650-C1 since it was new (41 years). The paint is completely original. The decals on the fuel tank are under the clear coat and they look like new. Those tank decals cannot be felt with the fingernail since the clear coat is built up on them making them smooth with the rest of the paint. The decals on the side covers and tail piece do not appear to be under the clear coat and they too still look like new. Unlike the tank decals they can be felt with the fingernail, but I suppose it is possible that they have a very thin coat of clear coat over them. Ed

I never get tired of looking at Ed's beautiful 650.

ThatGPzGuy wrote:

650ed wrote: I have owned my KZ650-C1 since it was new (41 years). The paint is completely original. The decals on the fuel tank are under the clear coat and they look like new. Those tank decals cannot be felt with the fingernail since the clear coat is built up on them making them smooth with the rest of the paint. The decals on the side covers and tail piece do not appear to be under the clear coat and they too still look like new. Unlike the tank decals they can be felt with the fingernail, but I suppose it is possible that they have a very thin coat of clear coat over them. Ed

I never get tired of looking at Ed's beautiful 650.

That is one of the reasons I picked Eds 650 as the First Bike of the Month when I started doing my features

Dave

That is one gorgeous bike, Ed. Congrats!