Problems coating CalVin tank decals

[janguzzi]

I decided to give the tank of my California Vintage a new clear coating because the orignal clear coating was much too thin.
The original stickers on the left and on the right side were even grinded down a bit, I guess the previous owner used a tank bag.

I ordered te original stickers (977337, 977336) and made the following experiences (the paint job was/is done by a professional painter):
- First try: one of the stickers got bubbles and wrinkles after painting



- Second try (bought a set of new stickers): one of the stickers starts detaching from the edges before painting




Does anybody made same experiences with 977337, 977336 stickers?
Any idea why this happens? Old stock ..stickers too old?

The painter has never experienced this with other stickers.

As alternative I could use Guzzi badges (e.g. the ones from the Griso) instead of stickers.
Would this work on a curved Cali tank?

[stratoguzzi]

I apply the clear first then wet sand the tank with 1000 grit.Then apply the decals then more clear.Sand and more clear if necessary.. It's more work but it gives the decal an absolute flat surface to stick to.less chance of clear lifting the base under the decal or any other dust or dirt issues.Your results may vary as every shop has different procedures and materials...

[RinkRat II]

   I woud find out the composition of the clear coat. Water bourne or solvent based?  Hardner or not. I've also had some decals made of inferior material and had them bubble also.  Graphic  supply house can duplicate the decal in a compatable material, I've gone that route too.

      Paul B

[bigbikerrick]

They must be poor quality stickers. Not all stickers are compatible with the solvents used in urethane clear. I have never had any issues with the stickers I have gotten from Harpers or MG cycle.
I once bought some stickers off of ebay, Guzzi ovals just like the ones you show, and they were real crappy quality. They would not stick well,peeled at the edges, and faded from the sun almost right away. Luckily I only used them on the rear window of my pickup.
Rick.

[janguzzi]

Hi Rick,
this is the original Luigi-quality.... MG spareparts 977337, 977336.
Used on California Vintage, Nevada and Daytona 1000 to my knowledge.

[Dimples]

If you try again I'm pretty sure the Eagle always faces forward on your bike. If you got the decals (stickers) from then actual Guzzi dealer the quality shouldn't be the problem. The decal in the second photo looks questionable-- the printing resolution is crude and the gold metallic quality is poor.

I have a decent amount of experience painting motorcycles and never had that problem clear-coating decals with catalyzed urethane finishes. In earlier days when shooting lacquers I'd often spray I final wet coat of pure reducer to blend any over-spray. That technique could lift an adhesive decal. I doubt your painter was using lacquer.

Do you know if he removed the original decals before painting or applied the new ones over the originals? Because that could be the issue-- they may not adhere well to themselves. I imagine he just applied the new ones over the old ones because he apparently didn't repaint the base color. In my experience the decals are originally applied to the base coat and then clear-coated. Removing enough clear to get them off usually results in  sanding some of the base coat in that surrounding area. When you then shoot the new clear that area of base-coat will not look the same as the rest of the finish wherever the old clear remains.

Sorry for the long post. Basically it's more involved than one would expect!

[janguzzi]

Hi all, thanks for the input so far.

As I wrote all  four decals are genuine Guzzi parts.
They were orderd at the well-known dealer TLM (Netherlands).
I have asked them about the source and they confirmed that these are genuine Guzzi parts ordered at Piaggio.
I am waiting now for their reaction....

The older decals were removed before new ones were attached and missing black paint was added.

[janguzzi]

I tried another original sticker (date on the plastic bag: 2016), this time from Stein-Dinse.
Same problem:



It seems that the glue is too old, a blow-dryer did not cure the problem.

My conclusion:
Meanwhile the original stickers 977337 and 977336 are too old and the glue does not work anymore or the quality is very poor.

[janguzzi]

I decided to use the badges:
06917400 and 06917300

The bulge of the tank was not a problem the outcome is really good:





If the bulge would have been a problem this could have been plan B:

(Bellagio chrome parts)
Maybe ...too much...

[gearman]

I decided to use the badges:
06917400 and 06917300

The bulge of the tank was not a problem the outcome is really good:





If the bulge would have been a problem this could have been plan B:

(Bellagio chrome parts)
Maybe ...too much...
[/quote        Badges?Badges? We don't need no stinkin badges..

[bigbikerrick]

Excellent solution! Bike looks fantastic, I agree the Bellagio chrome trim is a bit too much.
Rick.

[rocker59]

I decided to use the badges:
06917400 and 06917300

The bulge of the tank was not a problem the outcome is really good:

 

[Sheepdog]

The badges look great, Jan. The entire bike is looking beautiful.

[Brand X]

Having Yamaha racing tuning fork stickers lift while coating with  catalyzed urethane. One trick is to dust some fast dry clear lacquer over the stickers to seal them in.. Just dust, and keep heat on them until sealed...   



Hard to believe I can remember anything from 40 years ago..