HOW TO APPLY MOTORCYCLE RIM EDGING AND STICKERS

The wheel rim decals are very simple to apply, regardless of the size or surface of the wheel rim, the process remains the same. Below you will find a tutorial to help you correctly apply your wheel rim decal kit for your motorcycle. Discover how to apply motorcycle rim strips.

First of all, here are the precautions to take:

  • Check that the rim is smooth.
  • Clean rim thoroughly, degreasing with soap/alcohol water. Do not use WD40 or other products containing silicone. The rim must be perfectly clean. You can find our special rim cleaning products here : https://www.m-stickers.com/categorie-produit/nettoyant-jante/
  • Do not handle stickers on the glue side.
  • If stickers are not to be applied immediately, store them in a dry place away from direct sunlight.
  •  When applying the stickers, choose a room with a temperature of at least 15°c, protected from wind and dust. It's also possible to heat the rim before applying the stickers, to ensure that the adhesives hold well. If the temperature is too cold, the stickers will not adhere properly.
  • After installation, avoid contact with cold and damp to ensure that the adhesives hold well.

What you will need:

- Degreaser/Household spirit or our special sticker cleaner.
- A clean cloth
- A pair of scissors
- A raclette (on sale here) / Credit card can also do the trick
- Scotch
- Heat gun or hair dryer
– 2 short hours of your time

1- Preparing the stickers :

Deco kit for motorcycle rims + piping

The stickers are delivered under transfer, and some are grouped together like rim strips. You need to separate them by cutting them out with a pair of scissors, then lay the stickers on the floor or on a table with the front rim on one side and the rear rim on the other. Then squeegee the stickers flat to make them stick to the transfer and peel off more easily. This will improve application.

2- Rim preparation :

Rim cleaning

Clean the rim surface thoroughly with a degreaser/cleaning alcohol before gluing anything. Do not use products containing silicone such as WD40 or other greasy substances such as polish, cream, etc. If in doubt after cleaning, pour water over the surface if it beads, your product is no good. The stickers' durability will depend above all on the cleaning.

3- Laying the edgings :

Your wheel rims and decals are ready! It's now time to get serious!

Rim banding

– First, position them without removing the film: place your rim strips and secure them with small pieces of tape. Once the decals are properly positioned, you can start applying them.

Rim edging application

- Pull the transfer from one end. The adhesive should come with it and separate from the paper backing. (If the adhesive doesn't set, put the transfer back on and press firmly with the squeegee).

Gluing rim edgings
gluing rim edging

- You can apply the rim strip with your hands. Then press with the squeegee. 

Installing the rim edging

- You can then gently remove the transfer by pulling it flat on the wheel rim. Do not pull perpendicularly, otherwise the decal may peel off. Be careful not to handle the sticker on the glue side.

4- Fitting the inner wheel stickers :

The method for applying stickers is the same as for edgings. 
If you are afraid of applying the stickers incorrectly, you can apply them using the wet method:

Waterborne installation : spray a little water directly on the wheel rim where you are going to place your decal. The water has the effect of deactivating the glue for a few moments so that you can reposition the adhesive. Once the adhesive is positioned on the support, the water must be expelled from the center to the edges, using the squeegee, and allowed to dry for a while. Try to gently remove the transfer, if the adhesive does not remain on the support, you must re-squeegee and wait again.

5- Finalization :

  • Allow 48 to 72 hours for the adhesive to bond fully with the substrate.
  • With this type of installation, the vehicle can be used immediately after installation.
  • You can heat the vinyl to strengthen the adhesion of the decals on the wheel rim and to help them conform to curved shapes if needed. 

Notes: Adhesives can be heated with a heat gun or hair dryer to make them more malleable and eliminate small bubbles (as vinyl is not waterproof, air naturally escapes in a few days in the sun).

Now you know how to apply motorcycle rim edging!

Z750 rear wheel rim decorative kit
deco kit z750 front rim

VIDEO TUTORIAL: HOW TO INSTALL YOUR WHEEL DECO KIT