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.
Markus Wittek,Production Manager
The number one reason graphics don't stick properly isn't the vinyl. It's prep work. If you skip this part, no adhesive in the world will save you. Here's what you need: isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol, 90%+), a clean microfibre cloth, a heat gun or hair dryer, a squeegee or credit card, and about 30 minutes of patience.
Start by removing your old graphics completely. If there's adhesive residue, use the isopropyl to dissolve it. Then clean every surface you're going to apply to. And we mean properly clean, not a quick wipe. Grease from your hands, silicone from polish, even dust particles will create weak spots where the graphic can lift.
Peel the backing paper halfway. Line up the graphic on the part, using the contour as your guide. Press the centre down first, then use your squeegee to push outwards towards the edges. This pushes air bubbles out rather than trapping them underneath.
Once the first half is smooth, peel the rest of the backing and repeat. Centre outwards. Slow and steady. If you get a bubble, don't panic. Lift the nearest edge gently and re-squeegee. The adhesive on BYD vinyl is repositionable for the first few minutes, so you've got a window to get it right.
For curved surfaces like radiator shrouds and the front fender, you'll need heat. Warm the vinyl with a heat gun (medium setting, keep it moving) and it becomes flexible enough to stretch around compound curves without wrinkling. Don't overheat it, you want it warm and pliable, not melting.
Pro tip: after you've applied each piece, go over the edges one more time with heat and press them down firmly. This activates the adhesive and creates a permanent bond. Give the bike 24 hours before riding so the adhesive fully cures.
Always start with the largest pieces first: side panels, then radiator shrouds, then fenders. Leave the small bits like the fork guards and swingarm for last. This way, if you need to slightly reposition a large piece, you haven't already committed smaller overlapping pieces.
And one more thing: install graphics on the bike, not off it. The plastics need to be in their natural shape, under the tension they'll be under when mounted. Graphics applied to a loose panel on a table will stretch and wrinkle once you bolt the panel back on.
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