Stickers on the Fuel Tank Under Clear Coat.

I'll start by explaining why we're talking about fuel tanks here. Of course, you can paint stickers that are on other motorcycle parts, such as side fairings or the cowl, and there are motorcycle users who do just that. However, in the vast majority of cases, motorcycles from major brands such as Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, and Yamaha, when they leave the factory, have stickers under clear coat only on the fuel tank. The remaining stickers are laminated and applied to the clear coat. In other brands like Aprilia, BMW, or even Triumph, these proportions change slightly, but most often, the original configuration is: tank - stickers under clear coat, other stickers - on the clear coat.

Applying stickers under clear coat is a very sensitive and delicate process, and the person applying them must be extremely precise.

The most important thing in this case is getting rid of water and air from under the sticker.

Here, the evaporation of the liquid under the sticker is crucial, and the process must be completed fully, 100%.

Clear coat encapsulates the sticker, and at this moment, the path of evaporation is closed.

Under the influence of clear coat, the sticker becomes very soft, and the unevaporated water residues under the sticker form bubbles, resulting in an effect as shown in the image below.

There are two options left.

First, for those who prioritize aesthetics above all, it's the complete removal of stickers, repainting, and reapplication.

The second option for the more resigned - grit your teeth, leave it as it is, and try to avoid making eye contact with that area while using the motorcycle ;)

 

We can distinguish 2 methods of application considering the number and order of layers: paint / sticker / clear coat:

1. Stickers applied on the base coat.

This is a method that allows applying stickers directly during tank painting.

The base is a paint that dries very quickly, and, in fact, after fifteen minutes from applying the last layer, you can stick on graphics. The base coat is slightly more porous than clear coat, polished with 2000-grit sandpaper, so more attention is needed to remove water from under the sticker.

The entire process of painting and applying stickers will take place in one day. This has its pros and cons. The positive aspect, of course, is the speed of work from A to Z, but the drawback is that the painter must also be the person sticking the stickers on the motorcycle or the person applying the stickers must be present, which creates additional logistical problems.

Transporting elements from the paint shop to the wrapping company must be done within a strictly defined time frame and is somewhat complicated because the structure of the base coat is very delicate and sensitive to mechanical damage. Additionally, the specifications of most pearl paints require clear coat application in a relatively short time, definitely on the same day.

The delicate structure of the base coat doesn't forgive mistakes. Incorrect placement of graphics and an attempt to remove them from the element can result in paint damage.

In summary, this method is ideal for people who have the opportunity to perform both processes, i.e., painting and sticking, in one place and on the same day. Practically, on the second day after polishing, the tank can be installed on the motorcycle. Don't forget, of course, to apply protective such as a tank pad as quickly as possible. You will find a wide selection of such accessories in our store.

We have included the entire wrapping process in a short instructional video.

 

2. Stickers applied on the matte base coat.

This is the second method of applying stickers to the fuel tank. Wrapping the element takes place a few days after the initial tank painting. The clear coat must cure and evaporate well, then it is sanded with 2000-grit sandpaper wet.

On the prepared surface, motorcycle graphics are applied. The method in this case is no different from the one described above, and the tips from our video also apply here.

This method, although it extends the entire process to about a week, has many advantages.

The first advantage is that the application surface is very durable, and you don't have to worry if you make a mistake during application. Removing the sticker and cleaning the adhesive residue with extraction gasoline will not damage the tank's coating, allowing you to attempt reapplication without stress.

Another advantage is that after the clear coat has dried, application can occur at any time, eliminating logistical problems of coordinating the painter and the person applying the stickers at the same time and place.

Furthermore, this method even allows you to send or transport elements to a wrapping company like ours. Then perfectly wrapped elements return to the owner and await clear coating.

At FOOQS, you can not only buy motorcycle stickers like OEM stickers suitable for all brands and models of motorcycles but also entrust us with elements for comprehensive repair or restoration.