Painting vs. Vinyl Decals
10-24-06, 10:11 AM
#1
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Painting vs. Vinyl Decals
I was consulting a motorcycle painting buddy of mine about paint schemes for my upcoming pf qs-2s, and he said that if I was just doing accents(not painting the majority of it), to get a sign company to make vinyl decals then clear over them.
This certainly seems easier, but are there any drawbacks?
This certainly seems easier, but are there any drawbacks?
10-24-06, 10:40 AM
#2
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I don't know if they're drawbacks per se, but some differences are: the vinyl will be higher than the frame, as in being a raise of the thickness of material over the frame, you mentioned clear coat so the easy pealing off, if rubbed, is not an issue, and you can't do fancy smancy fade or some other effects, such as candy that you can do with paint.
I was somewhat thinking about this as well. I was thinking I wouldn't clear it though. I think I like the idea of being able to change my mind if something I thought would be cool turns out to be awful. Or even if I wanted to do a different color scheme later on.
Perhaps someone else can chime in with more differences they see.
I was somewhat thinking about this as well. I was thinking I wouldn't clear it though. I think I like the idea of being able to change my mind if something I thought would be cool turns out to be awful. Or even if I wanted to do a different color scheme later on.
Perhaps someone else can chime in with more differences they see.
10-24-06, 01:57 PM
#3
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Maybe Patriot can tell you the advantages of paint. But I do like the idea of being able to change my mind with the vinyl decals. Then when you're set you could have it painted then cleared over.
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10-24-06, 02:11 PM
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generally, you want to use decals for logos only. if you plan to use vinyl for accents, you have to be sure to get it as thin as possible to avoid having to build coat upon coat of clear just to conceal the edges. that's fine on a motorcycle or helmet, but not so much on a bike.
maybe you could use the vinyl decals to decide how you want something painted in the future(like a temporary tattoo), but i'm personally not an advocate of clear coating over decals unless it's something not easily paintable.
maybe you could use the vinyl decals to decide how you want something painted in the future(like a temporary tattoo), but i'm personally not an advocate of clear coating over decals unless it's something not easily paintable.
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Last edited by Chucklehead; 10-24-06 at 02:22 PM.
10-24-06, 03:18 PM
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Vinyl sticks pretty well and looks clean if you do it right. Unless I really wanted it to be permanent, I wouldn't bother clearcoating it. Instead, I'd probably get a few extra sets of decals made so you can replace them if they get torn up. Paint is just something you don't want to mess around with unless you really know what you're doing. And as others have said, clearing over vinyl could be a pain to get smooth. If you want it permanent, go all paint. For temporary, go purely vinyl. At least, that's what I would do.
