Wrapping a Motorcycle (DIY)

Why get a new coat of paint when you can wrap it? Give your bike a perfect makeover at a fraction cost of a paint job.

Ordered a wrap from Amazon.in

Why wrap a bike you ask? Let me explain

• Update the look of your bike
• Protection against scratches
• Cheaper than repainting
• Durable
• Protects the factory finish of the paint
• Easy to fix compared to a new paint job
• If you don't like it easy to peel off

These are the steps which I followed when wrapping my bike:

1. Measure the surface of each panel/part that you are going to wrap and get adequate vinyl. Excess vinyl will help in repairing any damaged part. 
2. Have these tools in handy: clean clothes, heat gun (I used a Hair dryer as i didn't want to invest in it as it's a one time deal) and a cutter.
3. Take off the existing stickers with the use off a heat gun or peel them off gently.
4. Remove the the body panels in order to wrap it. It helps to get a good finish around the edges

   

   Remove the fuel cap too. Makes it easier.

    
5. Now clean the body panels to get rid of dust,dirt and other impurities.
6. Cut the vinyl according to the measurements of body panel. Its better to cut a little excess over the measurements so as to work around the panels and curves.
7. Start applying the wrap, rub it down smoothly with your hands. When dealing with complicated areas like the tank, divide them into 3 parts thats what I did. Makes the process easier.

   

   I split the wrap into 3 parts to cover the tank.
   Very difficult to wrap with a single wrap.

8. Use the heat gun to make it stick and stretch it on to the curved surface. Apply adequate heat, we don't want the wrap to peel off after a few days.
9. Make sure you don't have air bubbles, if you do then use a squeegee to push it out or burst the bubble with a pin and use plenty of heat and rub it down.
10. If the wrap overlaps on complicated places like tanks where we split the wrap into 3 parts, cut the excess and make sure they don't overlap more an a centimeter to get a clean finish

    

    The tank was very complicated. Many curves
    had to make some cut outs otherwise it would peel off

11. Don't stretch the wrap a lot as they might tear and you end up starting from the first.
12. After wrapping let it settle for about an hour and check the corners and edges if they are peeling out.
13. Do not wash the bike for the next few days. The adhesive needs to dry up. Give it time.

Here is my bike after finishing up the wrap

It is still a work in progress, few small details like the KTM logo and stickers to highlight the curves are missing. Apart from that its a finished project. I'm no expert in wrapping, just wanted to give it a go and wrap my bike myself.