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How to get bubble from under stickers?

fulcrum

fulcrum

Veteran Lurker
Joined
Oct 8, 2003
Location
San Ramon, CA
Moto(s)
Erre Factory
Name
Mitko
Hi all,

today I noticed that there are air bubble under some of the stickers on my bike's tank. The stickers are covered with clear coat, which makes this much harder of a problem.

Does anyone know how I can get the air out?

I called a couple of paint shops in the area and they all suggest to use a needle and make a small hole in the bubble. However, they all warned me that once I compromise the clear coat, it might start peeling.

Does anyone have any advice?

Thanks
 
Damn, what stickers are under the clearcoat?

I don't think you'll be able to do it. If you want it to look right, you'll have to remove the stickers, sand the whole tank, and reapply them - or do what I'd do, and paint it on instead of using stickers.
 
Junkie said:
Damn, what stickers are under the clearcoat?
Click to expand...

As far as I can tell, the original stickers that they put at the factory are covered with a clear coat.

Junkie said:
I don't think you'll be able to do it. If you want it to look right, you'll have to remove the stickers, sand the whole tank, and reapply them - or do what I'd do, and paint it on instead of using stickers.
Click to expand...

I was afraid of that! I was hoping that there will be an easier way they sanding, and repainting the entire tank.
 
Junkie said:
Damn, what stickers are under the clearcoat?
Click to expand...

Most manufacturers stickers are under a clearcoat on the tank from the factory.


.
 
How big are the air bubbles? If it's not noticeable, I would leave it be.

Otherwise, the only way you're getting any air out from under there is with a needle.
 
why not use the needle trick to get the air out, then seal the hole with a tiny amount of epoxy or something to protect the incision?
 
vostok4 said:
why not use the needle trick to get the air out, then seal the hole with a tiny amount of epoxy or something to protect the incision?
Click to expand...

That is what I was thinking of doing. Just need to find out what would be the best thing to use to seal.
 
Be aware that the clearcoat over the stickers has hardened, and there's a fair chance that it'll crack when you try to push it down.
 
Junkie said:
Be aware that the clearcoat over the stickers has hardened, and there's a fair chance that it'll crack when you try to push it down.
Click to expand...

Interestingly enough, this does not appear to be the case (which is why I double checked whether there is a clear coat at all). Pushing the sticker on one end actually gets it to stick back down.

I did double check though and as far as I can tell, there is clear coat on top of the sticker because there is no edge at the end of the sticker at all. Just a small elevation when you run your finger along the tank
 
id warm it up with a heat gun just in case
 
fulcrum said:
That is what I was thinking of doing. Just need to find out what would be the best thing to use to seal.
Click to expand...

...more clear coat.
1)open a small hole in the bubble. 2)if you can, get clear coat inside the bubble, (spray it on a piece of plastic and use a small brush), 3)push it down if and only if it will not crack, seal the hole with more clear coat. 4) the best thing to do then would really be to get a super fine sand paper(2000 grit or something) and wet sand it smooth. then re-clear the whole tank.
 
Maybe try a heat gun and massage it out, how far from the edge is it? If you pop it; it will probably leave a wrinkle.
 
PhoS said:
Maybe try a heat gun and massage it out, how far from the edge is it? If you pop it; it will probably leave a wrinkle.
Click to expand...
Um, if it's under the clearcoat you won't be able to massage it out - if it comes out from under the sticker, it'll still be over the clearcoat.
 
got it!
use the windshield crack repair kit to get whatever sealer you use down into the hole.
they sell them at auto stores, wally world, etc.
it's a suction device that removes the air from the crack in your windshield, and then you get the sealant to be vacuumed into the crack.
should be the same priciple, yeah?
 
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