| Author | Message | ||
     Pkforbes87 |
Just saw pics of the s1w tank all bubbled in the decals thread. Even though the information is of no use to me since my X1 has a tank cover, I'm still dying of curiosity. What makes the paint bubble like that, and is there a painting process that will prevent it? | ||
| Ratbuell |
My understanding is, the vinyl fuel cell vents vapor through the material. If the paint isn't properly applied, and the surface not properly prepped, the fuel vapor can accumulate outside the fuel cell, but under the paint, and lift the paint. Once it peels/bubbles, you're done. Later bikes got better techniques - my '99 M2 never bubbled a bit, and I have yet to see a bubbling S3. It appears to be limited to the earlier bikes - early M2, S1/S1W - with the clearcoated-over decals (decals also being a source of vapor "trapping" - it's where my tank started first). I have nothing to substantiate this, it's just "what I've heard". If anyone has more accurate information, I'd love to have it  I plan on getting the tank in the pic repainted locally - got a friend who's done quite a few early tubers and it's all stuck fine. I do have a later, "goodwill" tank on the bike now, with raised lettering and no bubbling. | ||
| Jstfrfun |
Porous plastics | ||
| Silverbuell |
I have a 98 S3T which developed the dreaded "bubbles". Happy Holidays! Tim in Centreville, VA  | ||
| Kalali |
I am sorry if I missed the point here but are you guys saying that the decals are actually painted over the tank? I thought the decals were simply "applied" on the tank after the paint and could be peeled off if desired. Mine came with no decals and I applied the decals myself. | ||
| Ratbuell |
Tank is painted, color coat. Decals applied. Clearcoat on top of decals. Edit - this is for the "sticker" type logos. The tall "badge" types go on top of the clearcoat. (Message edited by ratbuell on December 24, 2008) | ||
| Jstfrfun |
This is why it's a good idea to "cream" the inside of your plastic tank, then paint. |
