Do you know of a clear coating for a refinished frame that will not disturb the decals? My buddy painted a road bike frame, applied decals, then tried to spray it with clear coat but the decals began to curl up and lift off the bike in rection to the clear coat. He halted the process fast. What can be used for hard coating? Suggestions?

Maybe it was the type of decals he used. Like maybe they were water based transfer type. I used vinyl adhesive type decals and put clear coat over them without a problem.

I've clearcoated thousands of water slide decals over the past 50 plus years on model cars, bikes, etc. and never had an issue with the clearcoat causing them to lift, curl, crinkle, etc. I use clear enamel, usually Testors, Krylon or Rustoleum.

What was the clear coat product and what solvent vehicle do they use with it? Some solvents are more aggressive than others with decals or vinyl.

Perhaps the paint is what is reacting. Different brands of the same specification of paint can react violently when two different brands of paint come together. Try some on a discreet spot to see if it's compatible.

clear fingernail polish.