Installation
How to Apply Your Graphics Like a Pro: A Step-by-Step Guide
New kit in hand but nervous about messing up the install? Don't be. We've put together the definitive guide to applying graphics like you've been doing it for years.
The four finishes — and the British weather
Backyard Design offers four finishes on the same 540-micron Flexlab vinyl: Gloss, Matt, Soft-Touch and Velvet. They all use the same base — only the laminate face changes. But they don't all age the same way under the UK's actual weather.
Gloss — the safe all-rounder
Classic wet-look finish. Sheds water and grime well, so a rainy season at a UK national leaves it cleaner than the matt alternatives. Easy to wipe down between motos. Will show fine scratches over time but stays vivid year-round.
Best for: most riders, most bikes, in any UK weather pattern.
Matt — clean and modern, with caveats
No-glare premium look. The downside in British conditions: matt finishes hold on to road dust, salt spray and brake-cleaner residue more visibly than gloss. They need slightly more care to keep clean. But aesthetically, they look fantastic on dark colour palettes.
Best for: dry-paddock teams, race weekends with a wipe-down kit, modern dark-livery builds.
Soft-Touch — premium feel, premium care
Silicone-feel finish. Stands out at events. Slightly more sensitive to chemical cleaners — use pH-neutral motorbike shampoo, not aggressive degreasers, when washing. Holds up well to rain.
Best for: street bikes and show builds. Less common on race-day MX kits.
Velvet — the bold one
Deep, plush, textured finish. Reads as a luxury build. In wet UK conditions, velvet shows water more than gloss but doesn't lose colour. Best maintained with a soft cloth — avoid brushes.
Best for: feature builds, custom street bikes, anything that lives indoors more than at the gate.
The bottom line
All four finishes use the same 540-micron base vinyl with ISO and REACH certification. The choice is aesthetic, not durability — the kit will last a season in any of them. The British weather just means gloss is the lowest-effort choice if you're racing every weekend.
Read the full spec breakdown on the Our Vinyl page.
