Clear coat over vinyl decals?

[thefunkymunki]

I will soon be applying some decent quality vinyl decals to a frame and am half thinking of clear-coating over the top, but am leaning on the side of not bothering.

My thinking is that as a kid I had a Rockhopper that I plastered in freebie stickers from MBUK and never really had a problem with peeling etc in all weathers.

I have also heard of clearcoat flaking and yellowing.

I was thinking of just getting a spare set of decals while i can get them and sticking them away in a drawer somewhere.

Any thoughts?

 

[renaldo]

I'm in the same position right now. I wasnt going to bother with clear coat over the stickers but have changed my mind. This is partly because originally this frame had lacquer over the decals and looks obviously different without, but also because the stickers are fine text without a solid background, so quite a small sticky surface area so I was worried they might be more likely to peel. I've seen others not bothering with clear coat over decals and it's been fine, although prone to scratches, scuffs and fading in sunlight, so you might have to reckon on replacing them every few years.
I think if you get a clear coat done properly with decent paint it should be ok. I'm getting mine done at a car bodyshop and most car paint doesn't fade or yellow despite being outside all the time in all weathers, with the exception of some colours like certain reds. There's s reason for this but I can't remember why it is right now.
My main issue with going for a clear cost over the top is the straight thickness of paint (and potentially losing details like serial numbers) but I think it will be ok

 

[renaldo]

Oh, and this might depend on the type of paint or process you've gone for, but if you do go for a clear coat I was told to slightly sand the paint surface before lacquering to key it up and help the lacquer stick better

 

[thefunkymunki]

Cheers mate, food for thought. good shout about the car body shop, I assume this would be cheaper than a frame builders/repaiers...

 

[renaldo]

I'm not sure about the relative prices of car bodyshops vs. frame builders. I did it mainly for convenience.
One issue with using a car bodyshop is that they are used to spraying relatively large flat panels, as opposed to small cylindrical tubes with lots of tight corners, but I knew the place I took my frame to had done bikes before and knew what they wre doing, and they've done a great job.

 

[We_are_Stevo]

IMO the main plus to clear coating over decals is being able to jetwash with impunity...

 

[unkleGsif]

Make sure that they use a paint type with a little thinners in as possible... the cellulose thinners will generally react badly withe the vinyl


G

 

[biglev]

this is the best cheat i have found. proper 2pack car pint in a a can. will not yellow, sets hard and does need a polish after.

http://www.specialistpaints.com/product ... -coat-canz

 

[unkleGsif]

2pack in a can.... now there's something new.....


4hr can life however. Use it all up or it goes off!
With cans, my best advise is to get some proper, fine mist nozzles as the standard ones nopt only piss it all out in big lumps, resulting in a bad finish, but spray over such a wide area, that most of the paint doesnt go on what you are painting, least of all a bike frame

G

 

[biglev]

oh should have said this does come out pretty dam fine, spray wise. I have used it on:
http://omsbikes.yolasite.com/re-builds.php

although it is a lot if you think you can only use it once.