Tech Tips by Randy Pozzi |
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#6 Decals | |
Hello Group, Maybe you have decided that a new paint job would spruce up the appearance of your Honda Ch250 and hesitated for fear the OEM graphics would be unavailable or difficult to apply. Well, yes the graphics are available and maybe they are difficult to apply. The OEM Honda pin stripe set and tape decor is based upon the peel-and-stick method similar to today's self adhesive tape. The graphics, color coded for your particular model year and body color, include a front cover stripe which runs from handle bar grip to handle bar grip across the top of the front bumper and on each of the side panels. Quarter-inch decor tape fills in the black front bumper, side panel moldings and rear bumper. These decals were made in the mid-1980s and have sat somewhere in a warehouse all these years. Ultra-violet light and age will have taken its toll on the freshness of the decal and its backing paper. What will be a surprise to you is when you peel the backing paper off the decal, it leaves adhesive residue or sticks itself to the decal making it impossible to come off. Having worked with vinyl graphics in the past, here's how to overcome the obstacles. Let's start with the bumpers and moldings. You can remove the old stripe inserts by using a hair dryer to soften the stripe then carefully pulling it off. Use denatured alcohol to remove any adhesive residue. For the pin stripe, its way more difficult. You just can't lay the decal on the panel and hope you get into position. Once laid, it won't come off. The stripes have two backing paper parts: one is a waxed paper layout and the other is a masking tape type backing paper on the top of the decal itself. Get a spray bottle of Windex and paper towels. Remove the waxed backing paper from the decal. Very critical part: Lift up the edge of the decal from the masking tape backing paper so that you can hold down the decal itself when later removing the masking tape backing paper. Spray Windex and soak the adhesive part of the decal. Spray Windex on the surface of the frame panel. Soak the area good. Apply decal and it will easily slide into any position you want. Gently dab excess Windex off area and with your finger, apply light pressure along decal from the center to the edges to remove trapped air bubbles. Let dry 24 hours. To remove masking tape backing paper, go to that decal edge that you separated earlier. The decal will be applied to the panel and you can grab hold of the masking tape backing paper. Spay Windex and soak the decal and tape again. Hold decal in place with your finger as you begin pulling the masking tape backing paper off. Move slowly as you slide your finger with light pressure along the decal until the masking tape backing paper is completely removed. If the decal starts to come off, you didn't let it dry long enough. Re-apply Windex, smooth out imperfections and let dry again. Once dried, air bubbles can be removed by pin pricking. Masking tape backing paper residue can be removed with Goo-Be-Gone. Randy Pozzi (Rev. 06/2003) |
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