I bought the decals online from the UK, must have been over a year ago and have them on the self (2 sets). If I remember correct I bought them for the black model which will work fine on almost any colour (hopefully).
Either before the first clear coat or after it I will place them with soap and water. Let dry and clear at least 2x over the top so I can cut polish. At the rate I am going it will need it.
I was going to paint the black VFR also but we shall see how much patients I have when this is done.
Rattle Can, my journey.
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maxredline
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maxredline
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Touching up the front cowl paint job I made things worse. Where I burned through the paint with sand paper I applied some adhesion promoter. Either I did not wait long enough for it to flash off or it did not like the primer. Now the repair is much bigger. Oh well, I was told there would be days like this when painting. Sand, walk away, repeat.
Just do it, time runs out.
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maxredline
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***From here on I plan on editing my post to keep from waffling and making this an easier read.
I am only installing the clear type decals for under the clear coat. I do not like the stick over the paint side decals.
I will use soap, water and a squeegee to apply the decals with 2 coats of cear coat on top with wet sanding inbetween. Then I will finish off with buffing.
I do not expect for a perfect paint job. I know there will be character marks. I just want them to be small and not too many. Again, getting a professional paint job for my bike is cost prohibitive.
I cleaned up the flaws in the paint from dropping the cowl. When I put primer over the top of the spots I filled. The primer reacted in a bad way. I have found that the primer used just does not like going over the base so make sure to get all blemishes finished off correctly on the primer step!
I sanded the reaction down making sure not to burn through to the plastic and put the base colour over the area, which worked.
The shop where I bought the paint told me to stay away from glass cleaners (many videos say its okay) and only use isopropyl alchol for cleaning. I have since refinished the cowls again and this time wet sanded as the sandpaper was clogging up to fast doing it dry.
I am only installing the clear type decals for under the clear coat. I do not like the stick over the paint side decals.
I will use soap, water and a squeegee to apply the decals with 2 coats of cear coat on top with wet sanding inbetween. Then I will finish off with buffing.
I do not expect for a perfect paint job. I know there will be character marks. I just want them to be small and not too many. Again, getting a professional paint job for my bike is cost prohibitive.
I cleaned up the flaws in the paint from dropping the cowl. When I put primer over the top of the spots I filled. The primer reacted in a bad way. I have found that the primer used just does not like going over the base so make sure to get all blemishes finished off correctly on the primer step!
I sanded the reaction down making sure not to burn through to the plastic and put the base colour over the area, which worked.
The shop where I bought the paint told me to stay away from glass cleaners (many videos say its okay) and only use isopropyl alchol for cleaning. I have since refinished the cowls again and this time wet sanded as the sandpaper was clogging up to fast doing it dry.
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Last edited by maxredline on Thu Sep 03, 2026 2:19 pm, edited 5 times in total.
Just do it, time runs out.
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maxredline
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All right, back on track. Painted the parts 2015 gmc blue metallic. The base finish is not super smooth and as it is metalic you are not suppose to sand after final base coat. Decals next followed by the clear coat x2, after that a polish. That should make it pop.
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Last edited by maxredline on Sat Sep 05, 2026 3:43 am, edited 3 times in total.
Just do it, time runs out.
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maxredline
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Finally opened up my decal package found the decals between the backing paper and heavy vinyl.
I intially thought I needed to trim the vinyl but after discussing with Capt 80,s I realized I was wrong. Not the old school decals I am used to.
I only needed to trim the "Interceptor" off (personal taste) as they are not used in Canada and did not want anything but the 'VFR". I am also leaving the small "Honda" off of the front cowl.
Side note: In Canada the side graplic is larger and have found the decal is applied over the clear coat. I am not doing that.
I intially thought I needed to trim the vinyl but after discussing with Capt 80,s I realized I was wrong. Not the old school decals I am used to.
I only needed to trim the "Interceptor" off (personal taste) as they are not used in Canada and did not want anything but the 'VFR". I am also leaving the small "Honda" off of the front cowl.
Side note: In Canada the side graplic is larger and have found the decal is applied over the clear coat. I am not doing that.
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Last edited by maxredline on Thu Sep 03, 2026 2:13 pm, edited 3 times in total.
Just do it, time runs out.
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maxredline
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Deleted this post (wafflage) or tried to.
Last edited by maxredline on Thu Sep 03, 2026 2:14 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Just do it, time runs out.
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Captain 80s
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Trim better? After you remove the backing and apply, you peel off the top after applying good pressure, usually with a little felt-edged squeegee thingy. You should be left with just the decal.
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maxredline
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These decals are from below
https://moto-sticker.com/
The decals can't be put on the cowls for at least 5 days after painting for gassing off reasons.
We shall see how this works out when I get back home from a ride in a couple of weeks.
There is an option for decals
https://oem-motordecals.com/en/honda-vfr800-2001-blue/
https://moto-sticker.com/
The decals can't be put on the cowls for at least 5 days after painting for gassing off reasons.
We shall see how this works out when I get back home from a ride in a couple of weeks.
There is an option for decals
https://oem-motordecals.com/en/honda-vfr800-2001-blue/
Last edited by maxredline on Thu Sep 03, 2026 12:35 am, edited 1 time in total.
Just do it, time runs out.
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Captain 80s
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Got it. Good luck.
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maxredline
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Capt 80's, was right regarding the decals properties. I tried a small decal on my toolbox and the decal is a thin bit between the backing paper and the thicker top protective vinyl. Very hard to see and so different from the old school decals I am familar with. That makes me happy, thanks for that info Capt!
I found it quite difficult to separate the decal from the vinyl when applying. I hope using water with a few drops of dish soap don't make it more difficult to separate the two.
I did notice today that I will need another spray can of base as the paint is thin in spots. That makes 4 cans of base in total for 2 coats.
I will buy another clear coat to bring them up to 4 cans also.
Maybe I can get the decals on with one clear coat over top before I go for my ride.
Not going to rush anything at this point.
I found it quite difficult to separate the decal from the vinyl when applying. I hope using water with a few drops of dish soap don't make it more difficult to separate the two.
I did notice today that I will need another spray can of base as the paint is thin in spots. That makes 4 cans of base in total for 2 coats.
I will buy another clear coat to bring them up to 4 cans also.
Maybe I can get the decals on with one clear coat over top before I go for my ride.
Not going to rush anything at this point.
Just do it, time runs out.