Tank Decal Removal

[Bomb Hills]

Hey dudes, just wondering if it's possible to remove the tank decals on the 2007 DRZ400SM? If so, how? Looks like they are under clear coat.

[b.h.]

you're right, they are under clear
a belt sander would do the job

[Bomb Hills]

Not trying to repaint the tank.

[bodgeitt]

After sanding it down you would have to re-paint and re-lacquer the tank....no other way

[Bomb Hills]

I really hate that they put them under clear coat. Maybe a flat black rattle can job is in the future.

[sschrader]

You can do it, I pulled the decals off of my 600RR when I had it, they were under the clear also. Easy.

Razor blade - be careful, just enough to get it started. Once you're under the decal they come off pretty easy. I then used 1000, 1500 and then 2000 grit and wet sanded, then buffed it out and waxed. I did this when there were probably 200 miles on the bike, friends were freaking out. After I was done you couldn't even tell they were there.

Stock photo (you can see the decals on the tank are huge)



My bike after

[saki302]

Wow, must be hard to walk around with those big balls of IRON

Just the thought of doing it on a new CBR makes my stomach feel light..

Great job!

-Dave

[Bomb Hills]

Yeah, that's the method I have heard of before. I guess worst comes to worst, I buy a larger capacity fuel tank!

[kenDo]

if it's black you can put Black number plate vinyl over it. Best solution? No, but it'll work

[Bomb Hills]

Good idea.

[707drz]

You can do it, I pulled the decals off of my 600RR when I had it, they were under the clear also. Easy.

Razor blade - be careful, just enough to get it started. Once you're under the decal they come off pretty easy. I then used 1000, 1500 and then 2000 grit and wet sanded, then buffed it out and waxed. I did this when there were probably 200 miles on the bike, friends were freaking out. After I was done you couldn't even tell they were there.

Stock photo (you can see the decals on the tank are huge)



My bike after

WOW!!!! the bike looks absolutly sick they way you have it, even though it appears to be just the decals gone it looks completly trick

[Mtsmith]

I also am wondering this same thing... I am working on getting an 09 DRZ SM and I'm not a huge fan of the barbed wire graphics. I was thinking of ordering 07 or 08 tank and rad shroud graphics to replace the stock ones. Is it that big of a deal to get them off?

[707drz]

I also am wondering this same thing... I am working on getting an 09 DRZ SM and I'm not a huge fan of the barbed wire graphics. I was thinking of ordering 07 or 08 tank and rad shroud graphics to replace the stock ones. Is it that big of a deal to get them off?

unless you could find someone to trade or sell you cheap dont do it. pricey...for that dough id get a clarke team tank or some other aftermarket large cap. tank. just my .02

then i might get an after market shroud for cheap like wheelingcyclesupply.com

[pachanga]

I just went and got some stick on vinyl that matched the gas tank, cut to shape to cover the stripes and blamo all white gas tank. Barely even notice it, especially when its flyin by on one wheel.

pachanga

[Bomb Hills]

Cool, I might go that route.

[vrtsid]

I just went and got some stick on vinyl that matched the gas tank, cut to shape to cover the stripes and blamo all white gas tank. Barely even notice it, especially when its flyin by on one wheel.

pachanga

this is what Im planing on doing to cover my S&M Xtreeem teeem 09 theme.

[one-gear-rigid]

Someone just bought the white '09 that's been sitting at my local dealer. He talked them into swapping out the tank and plastics with a white '09 'S' model that they also had on hand.

[vrtsid]

now theres and idea I wish I had...

[ryanguy34]

I did what sschrader did, Razor blade and being careful.

[ryanguy34]

Sorry forgot to add this.

[scsm]

So it's as simple as freeing up a corner with a blade and peeling? What is the best way to physically peel the stickers? Which corner did you start with?

[ryanguy34]

Yea, using a goo gone or some kinda of adhesive remover helps. Also be very careful when you start, make sure you don't go too deep under the edge, otherwise you can chip paint. I've also heard hair dryers work well, but have yet to try that.

[scsm]

You would use a heat gun as you peel (on low of course, being a gas tank and all...)? What about the goo gone, do you use it under the sticker to clean it up after or do you actually use it to help with the physical removal? Thanks for the replies.

[ryanguy34]

I would presume so, I didn't personally use a heat gun, that is just what I have heard. Also I used goo gone the whole time; to soak the stickers and to clean up the glue after.

[scsm]

Okay, thanks. Now I just have to work up the courage to break the blade out and take it to my tank!

[bodgeitt]

I'll be honest I've never seen or heard of graphics being removed after they have been laquered over Hmm! I'd like to see (close up) the results afterwards.You will definately have an edge where the paintwork underneath wasn't laquer'e (sorry clearcoat).

[Mtsmith]

Yes, i agree with bodgeitt... Unless you go through the sanding and wetsanding and buffing process, seems like there will be an edge or a line where the decal was. Also, on my 09 i took off the decal from the headlight/number plate plastic and there is a discoloration where the sticker was.

[scsm]

I didn't have any discoloration on my white 09, however I did remove them the day I got it....

[bodgeitt]

The sticker is gonna protect the paintwork underneath from uv attack,thats ANOTHER reason I cant see it workin.Good luck anyways.

[bjtitsngolf]

here's what I did

[scsm]

Looks good. What exactly did you do?

[TxZed]

here's what I did

That red reminds me of the late 70s early 80s Honda XR's. Looks good!

[bjtitsngolf]

That red reminds me of the late 70s early 80s Honda XR's. Looks good!

Thanks, I wanted to paint it a color noone else would have. so right now I think I'm rolling on the only ferrari red DRZ

[scsm]

So did you paint over it? Sand it down and re-finish it? Whats the word....

[bjtitsngolf]

I've been painting cars for 14years, I stripped the tank to bare metal primed it and painted it, then primed and painted all the plastic

[Bomb Hills]

I'm guessing there will be some discoloring when you pull the sticker on the tank, from the clear coat being removed and just weathering?