I just got a new paint job on my bike, and also got vinyl decals put on under the clear coat. There is some bubbling under the vinyl that the painter says was not there initially, and more have been popping up since I picked the bike up this morning. He says they should work themselves out... (similar to getting new tint on car windows, sometimes it takes a week or so for bubbling to smooth out on it's own). Does anybody have experience with this? Is he right, that these will smooth out on their own? Or should I be doing anything to help with this? (heat gun, pressure on the vinyl, etc...)

I'm not sure if this matters, but the base coat is urethane.

 

Decals were put on too soon. You need a minimum of 72 hrs before you clear coat over a decal. Solvents are still releasing....not much you can do other than redo it and give it the proper time to cure before you put the decals on. The bubbles you see are the solvents trying to get out.

 

Yes, I agree. Decals put on to soon after paint. Your painter is bull shitting you & hasn't a clue.

 

+3 to the above. paint needs a period to outgas. these same issues can happen under clear if paint is allowed to dry to long and then clear coated. the bubbles have no where to go now that they are cleared and will remain there. Tell you painter to step it up any way stickers are for coloring books not Harleys

 

Thanks for the info, folks... I had a feeling there was something wrong there, but wanted to be sure. Sounds like I'll be taking my bike back in to get fixed. :/ Thanks!

 

Greetings from Finland!

I got Harley tank decals from Ebay, and planning to get these decals on, as my bike is going to be resprayed next winter. I was wondering if these decals can take clearcoating. I've never used decals under PPG clearcoat, and i really don't wan't to sand the paintjob to metal again because of the bubbling clearcoat or melting decals.

Has anyone used these decals under clearcoat or have information about them handling clearcoat?

Decals i'm talking about are these, except in orange finish
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1976-FLH-FL-...720385&vxp=mtr


Thanks, and have safe miles!