General Harley Davidson Chat Forum to discuss general Harley Davidson issues, topics, and experiences.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Clearcoat over decals?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jul 1, 2008 | 08:56 AM
  #1  
Uncle Fester's Avatar
Uncle Fester
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 415
Likes: 0
From: DC
Default Clearcoat over decals?

I've got some nice die-cut decals for my tourpak, and I want to clearcoat over them for weatherproofing and to prevent peeling.
&nbsp\\;
Anyone got advice on clearcoating? Is there some rattlecan spray clearcoat that will come out nice, or do I need to shell out for a professional to do it?
 
Old Jul 1, 2008 | 09:18 AM
  #2  
stro1965's Avatar
stro1965
Seasoned HDF Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 10,602
Likes: 721
From: Bellevue, NE
Default RE: Clearcoat over decals?

I had a pro do mine.&nbsp\\; Not afraid to tackle the unknown but I was really thinking I could screw this one up.&nbsp\\; I've never done any paint work.
&nbsp\\;
 
Old Jul 1, 2008 | 09:22 AM
  #3  
ebeattie's Avatar
ebeattie
Road Warrior
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,620
Likes: 117
From: ARIZONA
Default RE: Clearcoat over decals?

Paint is definitely something I prefer to let the pros do. If I screw a bolt up, I can always tap it or replace it. i screw paint up...Im going to end up shelling out alot of money anyway so letting a pro do it the first time seems cheaper.
 
Old Jul 1, 2008 | 10:01 AM
  #4  
oldgeezer's Avatar
oldgeezer
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,513
Likes: 4
From: Midland, TX
Default RE: Clearcoat over decals?

I'd let the pro's do it.&nbsp\\; Surface prep is as important as spraying the clearcoat.&nbsp\\; Plus, if you have any contaminants in your equipment, you'll hose the job.
 
Old Jul 1, 2008 | 10:09 AM
  #5  
69z28's Avatar
69z28
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,750
Likes: 0
From: east cen.miss
Default RE: Clearcoat over decals?

I clearcoated over&nbsp\\; the decals on my old 72 FX and it works well.It was done by a body painter though,and not a spray can.
 
Old Jul 1, 2008 | 12:17 PM
  #6  
Silvertip's Avatar
Silvertip
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 186
Likes: 0
Default RE: Clearcoat over decals?

Do you have enough money to do the job right, or do you have enough money to do the job twice?
 
Old Jul 1, 2008 | 12:32 PM
  #7  
Joker65's Avatar
Joker65
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 742
Likes: 4
From: Twin Cities, MN
Default RE: Clearcoat over decals?

Good point Silvertip!!&nbsp\\; I know enough to do it right, and know that a professional will do it once!!&nbsp\\;
&nbsp\\;
I've clear-coated over decals before with a $10 spraycan from a paint supplier.&nbsp\\; I was instructed to lightly scuff&nbsp\\;the surface (1,000 grit sandpaper/sponge) before applying the decal, wiping it with solvent prior to applying, then clear-coating in multiple layers every 30 minutes.&nbsp\\; The tank I re-painted turned out really well, and the decals were finished well too.&nbsp\\; However, I had a pro do another project of clear-coating, and for $150 I had a professionally done job with no time lost.&nbsp\\; I dropped the parts off and two days later I had them ready to assemble.
&nbsp\\;
&nbsp\\;
Go Pro!!

[IMG]local://upfiles/42227/9607A751DA2A4396A20A13B824A9EF0E.gif[/IMG]
 
Old Jul 1, 2008 | 12:57 PM
  #8  
dyna07custom's Avatar
dyna07custom
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,074
Likes: 12
From:
Default RE: Clearcoat over decals?

watch it with the decals they have to be paintable or solvents will lift the glue and wrinkle them
 
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Becomes a Dark, Decepticon-Inspired Custom

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-5

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-6

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jul 1, 2008 | 01:05 PM
  #9  
kk6pg's Avatar
kk6pg
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,289
Likes: 22
From: Beautiful Downtown Burbank
Default RE: Clearcoat over decals?


ORIGINAL: dyna07custom

watch it with the decals they have to be paintable or solvents will lift the glue and wrinkle them
A little trick to keep that from happening is to lightly fog the first coat from a fair distance. Wait a half an hour, and fog it again.
Once the second fog sets, you can lay a clean first coat. The two fog coats will seal the decal and keep it from lifting.
 
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
smittydog27
Touring Models
14
Jul 30, 2008 09:02 PM
ecaldwell78
Sportster Models
23
Jul 23, 2008 05:43 PM
GEESE
General Topics/Tech Tips
1
Jul 9, 2008 10:12 PM
NJSUPERGLIDE
General Harley Davidson Chat
2
Jul 6, 2008 08:11 AM
BadPiggy
Touring Models
35
Jul 4, 2008 05:59 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:28 AM.

story-0
Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Becomes a Dark, Decepticon-Inspired Custom

Slideshow: Killer Custom's latest build relies on styling changes rather than performance upgrades, giving the cruiser an entirely different personality.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 18:28:05


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public

Slideshow: From military-inspired singles to scooters and three-wheel utility vehicles, these Harleys took the company far outside its comfort zone.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-02 18:34:10


VIEW MORE
story-2
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-3
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-4
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-6
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-7
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-8
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-9
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE