How to install
your graphics kit
motorcycle wheel rim
A clean rim, good positioning, and gradual application: discover the right steps to install your M-Stickers decals and achieve a polished finish.
How to install your motorcycle wheel rim graphics kit?
Good practices in 7 min 57.
Classic Kit or Express Kit,
a step-by-step installation.
Follow the installation of a classic kit on a Yamaha MT-09, from the preparation of the decals to the final touches. Enable subtitles in the player to choose your language.
Open video on YouTube ↗Before the first installation.
Set up in a clean, dry area, protected from wind and dust. Work on cool or room-temperature wheel rims.
Your kit, ready to install
The decals, a pair of scissors, and a few pieces of tape to prepare the positioning.
A well-prepared wheel rim
A cleaner suitable for your wheel rim and your decals, as well as a clean microfiber cloth.
The right accessories
An installation squeegee. A hairdryer can be useful for slightly softening the vinyl, only if necessary.
Six steps. The right reflexes.
The method shown in the video is a dry installation. Follow your kit's instructions if your material requires special precautions.
Prepare the kit components
Cut out the different decals with scissors, leaving a margin around each one. Distribute them by wheel and by side, then run the squeegee over the transfer film before peeling off the backing paper.
The right reflex. Locate the front and rear components before you begin.
Clean and dry the rims
Carefully remove dust, grease marks, and residue from cleaning products. Use a product compatible with the finish of your wheel rims and let the surface dry completely.
The right reflex. Avoid greasy products and those that leave a film on the surface.
Dry fit
Apply the decals without removing their backing. Hold them in place with small pieces of tape, then step back to check their orientation, centering, and spacing between elements.
The right reflex. Correcting the alignment now is simpler than after the adhesive.
Paste little by little
Remove a small part of the backing paper and attach the beginning of the sticker. Work with the squeegee from the center towards the edges, removing the paper as you go. On curves, proceed slowly; if necessary, lightly warm the vinyl with a hairdryer.
The right reflex. Don't apply the entire sticker at once with your fingers. Avoid overheating.
Remove the transfer film
Squeegee over the entire surface, paying special attention to the edges. Then fold the transfer film almost flat against the wheel rim and slowly peel it back on itself. If the decal lifts, reapply the film, squeegee again, and proceed gently.
The right reflex. Do not pull the film perpendicularly to the wheel rim.
Check the finishes
Ensure the edges are properly applied and repeat the method for the other elements. The adhesive continues to set after installation: leave the motorcycle at rest if possible and do not wash the wheels immediately.
The right reflex. For maintenance, use a clean microfiber cloth and avoid directing a high-pressure jet at close range on the edges.
Raclette does the job.
No rush.
Work in small areas and maintain control over positioning. A few minutes of care are better than redoing an entire sticker.
Discover the squeegee ↗Easy mistakes to avoid.
- Apply to a dirty, greasy, or wet wheel rim.
- Start without verifying alignment.
- Apply the entire adhesive surface at once.
- Pull sharply on the transfer film.
- Overheat the vinyl or wash the wheel rims right after application.
Have a question during installation?
When in doubt, it's best to ask for our advice before insisting on the sticker.
Is this tutorial suitable for my kit?
The demonstration concerns a classic wheel rim kit. It presents the preparation and application steps with transfer film. A Rings kit follows a different method: use its dedicated tutorial. Installing the Kit'Express is identical to installing the classic kit.
Do the wheels need to be removed?
The demonstration of the classic kit is performed with the wheels mounted on the motorcycle. Ensure you have sufficient access and that the motorcycle is properly stabilized. Do not remove a wheel solely because another tutorial advises it: the Rings kits have their own constraints.
Should the decals be applied dry or wet?
The new tutorial shows a dry installation on a clean, perfectly dry wheel rim. Do not add water under the decal unless specifically indicated for your material. If in doubt, contact M-Stickers before proceeding.
The sticker stays on the backing paper. What to do?
Reposition the transfer film and squeegee over the area so the vinyl adheres to the film. Slowly continue without pulling directly on the decal.
What to do if a small bubble remains visible?
Start by trying to gently push the air toward an edge with the squeegee. The tutorial also shows a very fine perforation for a small persistent bubble. If the area warps or if you are unsure about your material, stop and contact us before damaging it.
When can the motorcycle be washed?
Avoid washing the wheels immediately after installation and do not direct a high-pressure jet close to the decals. The precise curing time depends on the vinyl, the substrate, and the conditions: follow the instructions provided with your kit.
Is the video available in my language?
Subtitles have been added in French, English, German, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, and Dutch. Activate them in the YouTube player. Translated audio tracks depend on their availability on the video and are not guaranteed in all these languages.
Français