[bang]
So mad I can hardly see straight right now... I don't really feel like getting into details at the moment, but I've basically destroyed 5 days worth of paintwork because I tried to make due with the wrong style of decal on the tank (because I couldn't find the RIGHT style of decal). So now that it looks like I'll have to strip the tank and start again, I'd like to be sure I do it right next time:
Where do y'all find CORRECT sport-classic tank decals? Two-tone AND die cut - not one or the other. Everything I found was either monotone and die-cut, or two-tone but printed on one-piece backing. Does such a thing even exist? It seems improbable based on my idea of how die-cut vinyl is produced, but then how does Ducati do it?
Ducati probably screenprints them due to volume, but you can achieve the same quality in smaller runs with thermal printing. PM me if you're interested, I can set you up.
ive also heard ducpainter does awesome work
You can try bevelheaven.
I had mine done at a sign shop. die cut with as many colors as you like.
You can order the decals direct from Ducati can't you? There's a part number in the book. Check online on the Ducati Omaha site.
I did see the ones offered at Bevelheaven, but my internet was down this morning so I was not able to contact them to make sure they're the right thing. I'm guessing that at $22 and change each, they're the right style - Can anyone confirm or deny? I do also have a sign shop in town, but in the few times I've been in there over the years, it's hard to get the time of day if you don't come with a multi-hundred-dollar order.
I got some old school logos from bevelheavrn and they are the real deal.
Sport Classic decals are available from the dealer.
I make masks and a few decals. I try to spray most of my logos.
Well, the first "dealer' I tried as of last night (Commonwealth) says, at least for them, the decals are out of stock with no ETA on a re-stock - and he didn't say he could get them from Italy either... Kinda hard to believe that they're already of NOS parts for a bike that was produced last model year, so I'm going to try around (they're looking to be ~$6 ea from OEM parts suppliers, vs $22 ea from bevelheaven - not sure if that's indicative of something important to know, but $12 bucks ain't a big loss if they're crap).
As a backup plan, I suppose I do have a jpeg from which I could conceivably make a set of masks, but I'm hesitant because I'm pretty sure it would end up crooked / askew / crappy looking since it'd be a two-part job... Any hints?
I wasn't kidding... I do this professionally. Shoot me a PM if you're interested.
Didja try Ducati Seattle? They're always my first call if the local dealers don't have 'em. I'm amazed at what those guys have in stock. I got a not-that-easy-to-find old school monster decal (actually 2) from them. It was just sitting on the shelf.
I think I have a few sitting on the shelf. If you don't have a set by Tuesday, drop me a line...
Quote from: BlackKat on May 14, 2011, 04:54:00 PM
I think I have a few sitting on the shelf. If you don't have a set by Tuesday, drop me a line...
Since you don't respond to hints...
...neither you nor your employer are sponsors here so you can't shill for them on this forum.
Next time your membership privileges will be revoked.
Art, what exactly is "thermal painting"?
Well, I can do the decals one of two ways: two layers of colored vinyl stacked on top of each other, or thermally printed black on white. Think of a thermal printer as one of those old school fax machines that uses a roll of film to image paper, except it's specially designed for outdoor signage and lasts for many years. That will give you a single layer with both colors as opposed to stacking colors. Either way gets you a good product, just wasn't sure from your post which one you were looking for and I don't have an SC for reference of what Ducati did.
Lemme know.
Besides the decals, what about the metal GT tank badges?
You can get them from Road and Race: http://www.roadandrace.com.au/cat08.htm (http://www.roadandrace.com.au/cat08.htm)
Might not be the look you are going for but it's an option.
(http://www.ducati.ms/forums/attachments/sport-classic/10508d1169628299-gt-tank-badge-gt-badge.jpg)
Quote from: Artful on May 15, 2011, 02:40:21 PM
Well, I can do the decals one of two ways: two layers of colored vinyl stacked on top of each other, or thermally printed black on white. Think of a thermal printer as one of those old school fax machines that uses a roll of film to image paper, except it's specially designed for outdoor signage and lasts for many years. That will give you a single layer with both colors as opposed to stacking colors. Either way gets you a good product, just wasn't sure from your post which one you were looking for and I don't have an SC for reference of what Ducati did.
Lemme know.
In my limited experience... ;D
stacked decals have a distinct possibility of sucking...registered decals in multiple colors always suck.
Multiple layers of vinyl don't bury in clear very well.
Thermally printed is the way to go if you're clearing over.
If ink is involved make sure it will hold up to the solvents in clear.
have you considered just doing the outer outline of the "DUCATI" text?
also, at this point, if it's being cleared over, why use decals? why not just have it painted on?
Alas, as sinful as it may sound, I am kinda trying to do this job on the, *ahem* cheap - aka, DIY. I'm not skilled enough to paint them on myself, and outsourcing the job seems like it'd be expensive - and I don't know of anyone reputable locally to do the work anyhow. And so, decals seem to be the only reasonable option.
Art, it sounds like the thermal printing option would involve shipping my unfinished tank to you for application of the lettering, no?
Quote from: Z06C5R on May 16, 2011, 08:38:51 AMArt, it sounds like the thermal printing option would involve shipping my unfinished tank to you for application of the lettering, no?
Nope. Thermally printed decals are still decals. So you would apply it like any other decal, just both colors would go down in one shot. If you can apply a Band-Aid precisely, you too can have nice tank decals.
Quote from: Artful on May 16, 2011, 08:41:53 AM
If you can apply a Band-Aid precisely, you too can have nice tank decals.
applying band-aid's is serious business though...
You've apparently never done intense decal application then or you'd know how serious that can get. X-Actos are friggin pointy man.
Quote from: Artful on May 16, 2011, 10:54:56 AM
You've apparently never done intense decal application then or you'd know how serious that can get. X-Actos are friggin pointy man.
haha, no, i can see it being bad... and x-actos are def bad... i took off a good chunk of a my left index once with them when cutting some canvas for a project. was cutting it down the side of a ruler, looked away for 2 seconds because someone spoke to me... and then i found out first hand how much cuts to the fingers bleed. fyi, they bleed a lot :\ haha
Watched one roll off a work table and embed itself in a girl's Achilles tendon. Reminded me far too much of Pet Cemetary.
i have never once forgotten that scene.
Quote from: Artful on May 16, 2011, 10:54:56 AM
You've apparently never done intense decal application then or you'd know how serious that can get. X-Actos are friggin pointy man.
This more-or-less summarizes why I'm in this predicament to begin with
Art, check your inbox.