Lazyass

I have my eye on a particular frameset for sale. If I get it I would like to have it refinished by a local powdercoater who has experience with bikes.

If I were to order new frame decals from Velocals, which ones would I need? The UV laminate? How do they look without clearcoating? Are they real thin? I want a factory look, not something that looks cheap and slapped on if you understand what I'm trying to say.

Schwinn me

I have used Velocals. Their thinnest vinyl offerings I used had to be clear coated, which I did, are noticeably thicker than waterslide decals. They look nice but I would be concerned with snagging the edges of vinyl decals on clothing or cleaning rags. The vinyls that Velocals sells for no clear coating required are even thicker by their description. I have not used these but I already thought the unprotected vinyls were too thick. I used the Velocals because they were the only place offering the decals I needed. I also had problems with color matching and decal size, they were WAY too big. They remade some and I used decals from another source to finish the bike.

jlax2485

I did exactly what you are proposing on my trek (the original finish had the decals on-top of the clear) and the UV laminate I received from Velocals aren't super thick, but they are of very good quality. They look great on the bike and match the originals perfectly. I am super pleased with the result. The only thing I will mention is to make sure that the area is spotless before applying the decals. Clean it well with an alcohol solution to ensure proper adhesion. Velocals sends instructions with the decals which is handy.

clydesdale65 

Cyclomondo in Australia has very nice decals. I've ordered from both Velocals and Cyclomondo for my Merckx, and ended up using the cyclomondo decals.

Lazyass

Would waterslide decals be thinner than the UV's?

Hudson308 

Waterslide decals don't adhere well to powdercoat. I've got a coated frame that I'll try wet sanding before putting my next set on, as I already have the decals. My guess is that the problem is the surface is too smooth for proper adhesion.

himespau 

Interesting. Good to know. I've been looking at decals for a powdercoated frame I have and had been leaning toward waterslides.

Lazyass

Let us know how it comes out if you try it.

Schwinn me

The smoother, i.e. the flatter, no orange peel the surface the better for waterslide. Glass is ideal for waterslide. The biggest problem installing waterslides is quality and surface conditions.

I have some good info on another website about painting and bike decals.


https://thecabe.com/forum/threads/ho...-finish.87859/

Hudson308 

I remember that thread... Interesting that glass is ideal. This is the frame I had problems with... sorry for the crappy picture. I got the decals placed perfectly, but bubbles and voids under the decals developed over a couple of months.
These were new decals purchased from bicyclebones on eBay.

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Andy_K 

I've used the thicker Velocals decals over powdercoat and I can verify that they are indeed vulnerable to getting the edges caught. The decal I've particularly had issues with is the pinstripe/arrow on the top tube of my Motobecane Grand Record. This decal isn't very wide, so I guess it's particularly susceptible to this sort of problem, but the end of the decal nearest the seat tube is getting munged on both sides where I clamp it into the workstand. It may also be getting rubbed by my thighs once in a while as I'm riding.

I'm planning to replace the decal at some point. I'll probably use the same one, but I might try putting some clear nail polish around the edges to smooth it out a bit.

Schwinn me

Unfortunately quality is hit and miss with BB's decals, Memory Lane as well. I usually buy two sets of decals to get frames done. That Paramount is the last bike I'm going to do without clear coating over decals, it's so much better with a clear coat. The Raleigh Pro is Cyclomondo vinyls with a clear coat, very pleased with the accuracy of his decals. Vinyls are a piece of cake compared to waterslide. I use the spray water/soap mix for application and haven't had to redo one yet.

3alarmer 

..the UV laminate decals from Velocals are on the thickest vinyl stock I've run into, so even if you figured out a way to clear coat over them, they will still look slapped on.

If you check his site, he recently started offering something in a "thin vinyl" which might work for you, and he's also expanding his waterslide offerings.

Some bikes, which originally came with decals that were stickers or foil labels that were "slapped on" look OK that way. The best success I've had in that regard is powdercoating a Gitane and finishing with foil labels from Cyclo Mundo, and an older Falcon where the labels were more like complete bands that wrap the entire tube like this:

Hudson308 

Yes, I've also had great luck with Cyclomondo's vinyl decals over powdercoat using the spray water/soap method.
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himespau 

At first I didn't notice where the BB/dropouts were and was about to tell you that you'd put your decal on upside down. THEN, I realized I wasn't looking at the top tube.

Hudson308 

Remember, you have to put them on upside down. They're from Australia.

Lazyass

Cyclomondo doesn't have the decals I need. I'm thinking powdercoating is a no go.

himespau 

That's great.

3alarmer 

...one source with a quality product that does not get mentioned here often is H Lloyd in the UK. But only if the thing you're working on is British.

tomdickharry

So I've just finished applying waterslide decals from bicyclebones on my powdercoated frame. They're big ones too (Schwinn world varsity). So far so good in terms of adhesion and no bubbling. Little bit disappointed in the quality of them though (globes are too transparent and edges aren't very accurate in terms of different colours overprinting. Also very fragile!)

Anyway, I'm now contemplating clear coating them for longer term protection. I have vivid memories when I was a boy of how the waterslide decals on my plastic kit plane models would become brittle and flake off over time!!
The note in the delivery envelope says BB doesn't recommend it, but the manufacturer says you can. I'm leaning towards doing it, but I'm unsure of what type of clear coat to use. Any advice? I'd heard acrylic might be best due to the 'flexibility' of a powder coating requiring a more flexible clear coat to preven cracking

RobbieTunes

I went 1 mil vinyl from Velocals. No issues.