HELP! White color behind clear N-Style graphic co

[MikeT]

I just applied some clear N-Style graphic covers over the radiator shrouds on my kids XR. They looked very good last night, then I came down this morning and there was lots of white haze behind the new clear plastic!!!! I did a search on applying graphics and many people used the Windex method. I also used windex on them and didn't have a single bubble, but I now have this problem. I ended up peeling off the clear on one shroud to find out that the discoloration was in the glue on the decal. The shroud wasn't damaged, but I would like to have this type of protection on his bike. Did the windex discolor the glue? Should I have just used water? Should I have risked it dry???

What did I do wrong and how can I do the next set so they come out right???

 

[DGMAX99]

Usually you can sit it in the sun for a while and it will go away.

 

[MARK IT]

I'm not sure it would work but using a hair dryer on them helps and if you havnt messed them up to much you can put them back on. I use a heat gun on low and it can be used to remove them by warming the sticker up.

 

[MikeT]

Well, I left one on and pulled one off. Ironically enough, when I pulled one off, it showed that the white discoloration was in the glue for sure. After tthe peeled off sticker sat for about 35 minutes, the white went away, but that decal was ruined. I have poked some small holes in the white areas on the other shtoud and am hoping that will help.... I tried the hair dryer and that didn't do anything even after the poked holes... I just don't get it.

 

[nephron]

I haven't seen that either, MikeT.
Call N-Style & let us know their answer. I'd be interested.
Any FAQ's on their website?

I'll bet you anything they will tell you that you are at fault and ruined their graphics with Windex, even though everyone around here has been using Windex for years. ;)

 

[MikeT]

Originally posted by nephron
Any FAQ's on their website?

I'll bet you anything they will tell you that you are at fault and ruined their graphics with Windex, even though everyone around here has been using Windex for years. ;)

Their website makes no mention of using any wet type application. It only states using the dry application method..... I am currently letting the remaining shroud sit out in the sun for the afternoon in hopes that will help. The application is flawless except for this white discoloration. I simply dont get it. When I try the other side again, I'm going to do either a dry application or just use plain water. I am leaning toward the dry even though I know I might end up with bubbles. I feel like I am in a no win situation. There must be a better way. :think:

 

[MARK IT]

Mike, I do mine dry an find this is the best method, I hav etryed the Windex
method an didnot like it at all. The main thing is to TAKE YOUR TIME and go slow. good luck with N style, ther products are the best .imo

 

[MikeT]

Here’s a little update. I ended up applying the other flair’s clear decal dry. I didn’t have any bubbles to speak of except for a light “peppering” of micro sized bubbles. They were too small to even pop, but the finished product wasn’t as good as the Windex applied area where it didn’t turn white. I still have no idea why some areas turned white while others didn’t. I then went back to the first flair that I let sit in the sun for two days, popped holes in the white areas and they were still white….. Anyway, I peeled back the areas that had white in them and tried hitting it with a hair dryer to see if the Windex had mixed with the glue somehow and would dry out. The hair dryer didn’t do a thing, so I let it sit overnight peeled back. Lo and behold by this morning the white had disappeared while it was peeled back and exposed to the air (funny the hair dryer didn’t help).

The liquid application method seems by far the best because where the white didn’t appear, the decal was applied better than I could have ever imagined. This white hazing of the glue is the only problem I encountered. I would like to use the liquid method in the future but it seems like I will probably need to find a different type of liquid. What do you guys think?

 

[XRpredator]

I've just used soapy water in the past, no probs.

 

[DGMAX99]

Just don't overdo it with the soap. Usually just a drop or two added to a typical squirt bottle full of water is enough.

 

[MikeT]

Any particular liquid soap? I wouldn't be asking such a question if I hadn't had the problem I have been having.

 

[whyzee]

Mike, I'd stick with straight H2O, works best for all the stuff I've done in the past.

 

[DGMAX99]

I usually use a drop or two at the most of dishwashing liquid soap to a full bottle. Have not had any problems so far.