Graphics Removal And Installation

[mdmx]

Whats the best way to remove old graphics from a motocross bike and prepare the plastic (including scrathes) for new graphics? What's the best way to install new graphics?

 

[nikki]

Heating the old graphics up with a hair dryer makes them easier to remove.

Contact cleaner (or Windex or WD-40) is a good way to clean up the excess residue. Just make sure to wipe off any oily substance, like WD-40, before applying new graphics.

I use Windex on the back of new backgrounds/graphics during installation. That way you can slide the graphics around a little bit until you get them lined up right. Then begin from the center (or one side) and smooth the grahpics out with your fingers. Use a credit card to squeeze out the extra Windex. The graphics will also be easier to work with if you heat them up first (like sit them in the sun for a few hours). And a hair dryer will "seal" down small edges on the graphics, too.

Make sure to install graphics on warm plastics and in a warm place and let them cure for 24 hours if you can for the best results.

 

[Fark]

Nikki's got it. And if for some reason a small edge doesn't adhere, cut it off, rounding the edges, so nothing catches on the corners.

 

[MXP1MP]

I did something similar to what nikki did when installing the back grounds on my bike. I just used a very small amount of liquid dish soap and diluted it down with water it should be mostly water. Then I lined up the graphics and squeezed out the excess water under neath then to finalize it and make it adhere I used a hair dyer to heat'em up and to make'em adhere. It worked great and they turned out excellent no bubbles, crinkles and they are lined up perfectly.

 

[Hucker]

Rubbing alcohol with some water will make the graphics slippery and moveable once they are applied to the plastic. Easy to move around for that perfect fit...