Large bubble at the edge of graphics help!

kawi448
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153
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Location
Northville, MI US
Edited Date/Time 2/10/2015 11:42am
It was my first time ever doing graphics and I was putting them on and their is a big bubble that is on the edge, and it won't stick down. I can get some spray adhesive or something under it, but when I push it down all the way it forms a tight crease. Any solutions?
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Flex
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2/7/2015 12:32pm
If they are freshly on, pull hard to get the small part of the graphic up and then work it back down. You have to be very patient with graphics, iv'e done about 20-25 bikes and never had an air bubble i couldnt work out.
kawi448
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Northville, MI US
2/7/2015 1:13pm
Flex wrote:
If they are freshly on, pull hard to get the small part of the graphic up and then work it back down. You have to be...
If they are freshly on, pull hard to get the small part of the graphic up and then work it back down. You have to be very patient with graphics, iv'e done about 20-25 bikes and never had an air bubble i couldnt work out.
I'll show u look. It's fucked up



Flex
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2/7/2015 1:24pm
Flex wrote:
If they are freshly on, pull hard to get the small part of the graphic up and then work it back down. You have to be...
If they are freshly on, pull hard to get the small part of the graphic up and then work it back down. You have to be very patient with graphics, iv'e done about 20-25 bikes and never had an air bubble i couldnt work out.
kawi448 wrote:
I'll show u look. It's fucked up[img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2015/02/07/79583/s1200_image.jpg[/img] [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2015/02/07/79584/s1200_image.jpg[/img]
I'll show u look. It's fucked up



You need to pull that side back up and apply it down from that part to the outside, not from the outside to the inside
jhansen510
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GREENFIELD, MN US
2/7/2015 3:45pm
How I do it is as follows. Clean plastic with contact cleaner. Heat up plastic and graphic with heat gun. Spray entire surface of plastic in windex. Peel off backing and lay graphic on. Apply heat and use a graphic applicator to work from the middle out. They will come out perfect and last much longer as the edges seal to plastic and the dirt and water won't work it's way in behind it. I would peel that off and repeat the steps I explained. If you don't have applicator most any 3-4" straight edge will work. It acts as a squeegee and pushes bubbles out.

The Shop

Flex
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2/7/2015 4:23pm
jhansen510 wrote:
How I do it is as follows. Clean plastic with contact cleaner. Heat up plastic and graphic with heat gun. Spray entire surface of plastic in...
How I do it is as follows. Clean plastic with contact cleaner. Heat up plastic and graphic with heat gun. Spray entire surface of plastic in windex. Peel off backing and lay graphic on. Apply heat and use a graphic applicator to work from the middle out. They will come out perfect and last much longer as the edges seal to plastic and the dirt and water won't work it's way in behind it. I would peel that off and repeat the steps I explained. If you don't have applicator most any 3-4" straight edge will work. It acts as a squeegee and pushes bubbles out.
Literally identical to what i do LOL
garagedog
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2/8/2015 7:07am
Try a hair dryer if you dont have a heat gun.
Grizz
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Los Angeles, CA US
2/8/2015 5:12pm
Just cut it.
jhansen510
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GREENFIELD, MN US
2/8/2015 5:36pm
Grizz wrote:
Just cut it.
Not necessary and creates future problems. If done properly you shouldn't need to hack them up.
2/8/2015 9:17pm
Grizz wrote:
Just cut it.
jhansen510 wrote:
Not necessary and creates future problems. If done properly you shouldn't need to hack them up.
Perhaps necessary in his case. It's been a day since install and that right there tells me the adhesive has adhered to the plastic already. He might be better off cutting it. Next time start from the front bolt hole and work your way towards the rear fender. Once you have the middle section of the graphic down, work towards the bottom then the top is your last part.

jhansen510
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2/8/2015 9:40pm
That's what the heat gun is for. If needed you can add some 3m adhesive when putting it back on. I have removed and reapplied with no issue.
holverson34
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11/27/2014
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Carlton, OR US
2/8/2015 10:04pm
Oh shit. Sell it.

I had that same problem with my rmz panels first time I did it. 2nd time I worked it to the very bottom of that hole on the bottom of the panel and then cut a slice in that 1" strip and overlapped it.

I always have problems in that area
Grizz
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2/9/2015 8:32am
Grizz wrote:
Just cut it.
jhansen510 wrote:
Not necessary and creates future problems. If done properly you shouldn't need to hack them up.
I just cut mine. Graphics don't last longer than a few rides anyways.
jhansen510
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GREENFIELD, MN US
2/9/2015 4:38pm
A few rides? Knee braces? How tall are you if you don't mind me asking? I know you should grip with your knees but if they only last a few rides I'd be looking for a place that uses thicker material! The reason I don't like cutting is that tends to be the weak point and once shit gets in there or you grip there it's over. I found if you can heat gun them to the plastic and get a good bond they will last a hell of a lot longer!
Flex
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2/9/2015 4:40pm
A few rides?

I know privateers that have used the same graphics for half a season.
2/10/2015 1:28am
Lol...I raced 35 races and 200 hrs of practice on one set of graphics.....
Bressler11
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Lock Haven, PA US
2/10/2015 5:34am
Peel that edge off and rework it, if it doesn't stick buy some spray on 3m Adhesive it's like $3 at Wally world
Grizz
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2/10/2015 8:48am
jhansen510 wrote:
A few rides? Knee braces? How tall are you if you don't mind me asking? I know you should grip with your knees but if they...
A few rides? Knee braces? How tall are you if you don't mind me asking? I know you should grip with your knees but if they only last a few rides I'd be looking for a place that uses thicker material! The reason I don't like cutting is that tends to be the weak point and once shit gets in there or you grip there it's over. I found if you can heat gun them to the plastic and get a good bond they will last a hell of a lot longer!
Sorry, I didn't mean that they fall off in a few rides hahaha. I just meant I'll start ripping and getting thin spots in them after a few rides. I'm 6' and yes, knee braces. I'm really bad with tearing seat covers and graphics!

I agree that you shouldn't cut them, but I feel like this guys best bet would be to cut them at this point.

Flex, I do run mine for half a season or more, they just don't look as pretty Tongue
Grizz
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2/10/2015 8:57am
Heres my proof haha.


Skerby
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Mayes County, OK US
2/10/2015 11:42am
Cut it!!!!!!!!!!!!

Seriously no one will notice after a few rides.

Graphics seriously suck lol.

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