Hi ,

My bike has been sent to be powdercoated and new decals have been ordered online . I was thinking that once the decals are stuck on I would cover them in a layer of 3M helicopter tape or similar transparent tape that is used to protect frames . This would be to stop the decals being scuffed . Good idea ? Or is it a bad move that could end up with the decals coming off with the tape ?

Thanks for reading ,

J

In a different subforum here is a recent thread where a guy swears by the tape, and uses it to protect his frame from chips etc. Including to protect his BB from dropped chains... He says it stays clear for years. So I would say based on his input that it is a good deal.

I suspect, based on the quality of stickiness, that if you ever try to remove it, you will remove the decals as well.

If you don't want to put more $ into the frame for a full clear coat it might work for you (bike looks/aesthetics is a very personal thing) and certainly would be good for cable rub, dropped chains, etc. From what I have seen as Darwin says it would risk other issues. You might consider one of the new super rattle can clear coats like this one
2K Aero-Spray? Paints ? Aerosol Paints & Coatings - Eastwood
I have bikes from the eighties with decals that still look very good, with the notable exception of Columbus SLX decals which you can almost watch them turn to dust.

I would trust the decals to do what they are made to do. If mishandling or the occasional "oops" puts a nick in a decal, that's biking. If you have powdercoat, you could later reapply a decal if absolutely necessary. Otherwise, the tape will be strangely visible and detract from the original look.