Hi all,
Bought the protective film kit today from LM kawasaki at Ashton, Gtr Manchester. Has anyone any tips befor I attempt fitting it next weekend? I am thinking of asking my father in law to do it as he is a car panel beater/ sprayer. Thanks, Chris. :-\
Loads and loads of soapy water (and I mean LOADS) - hair dryer - time - care in position - and...............loads of soapy water!!
Sqeegy out with LOADS of soapy water and keep the heat on with the hair dryer.
Did I mention loads of soapy water and a hair dryer?
I bought a set and took it to my local car window tinter, he had never done anything like it before and didn't charge me anything, he used lots of soapy water and a hairdryer type device, and a good job he did too.
Quote from: pembsgtr on April 02, 2011, 10:29:29 PM
I bought a set and took it to my local car window tinter, he had never done anything like it before and didn't charge me anything, he used lots of soapy water and a hairdryer type device, and a good job he did too.
Did I mention..................... :)
It was a bit more than a hairdryer but a good bit less than a paint stripper......................
Quote from: pembsgtr on April 02, 2011, 10:43:00 PM
It was a bit more than a hairdryer but a good bit less than a paint stripper......................
PMSL ;D ;D ;D
Thanks, will let you know how I get on..... Strange how no-one metioned any soapy water?
Quote from: ChrisB on April 03, 2011, 08:51:54 PM
Thanks, will let you know how I get on..... Strange how no-one metioned any soapy water?
Well, well, well. mrs Smartarse (the wife) said when I bought the protectors, "how difficult can it be"?
IWe have just finished putting on the protective films, with the panniers in the bath (no joke), and gallons of soapy water. I never knew she knew so many swear words!! and they were all directed at me for first trying to drown her in soapy water (no flannel), and then trying to burn her with the hair dryer! Anyway she did it, with my help of course! So, if you want to fit these protective films, not only do you need loads of soapy water, but also a pretty clever and smart wife! Thank you Colette, wife of my children, ace pillion and all round good egg, I love you.
Quote from: ChrisB on April 09, 2011, 09:55:02 PM
Quote from: ChrisB on April 03, 2011, 08:51:54 PM
Thanks, will let you know how I get on..... Strange how no-one metioned any soapy water?
Well, well, well. mrs Smartarse (the wife) said when I bought the protectors, "how difficult can it be"?
IWe have just finished putting on the protective films, with the panniers in the bath (no joke), and gallons of soapy water. I never knew she knew so many swear words!! and they were all directed at me for first trying to drown her in soapy water (no flannel), and then trying to burn her with the hair dryer! Anyway she did it, with my help of course! So, if you want to fit these protective films, not only do you need loads of soapy water, but also a pretty clever and smart wife! Thank you Colette, wife of my children, ace pillion and all round good egg, I love you.
Aahhh, I'm filling up. :-*
Or maybe I've just got soap in my eyes!
I made the mistake off having the dealer fit mine and the gel tank protector during the PDI followed by the comment "they all look like that but they will be OK after a couple of days" when I queried the air bubbles when I collected the bike
The pannier protectors are now in the bin as the bubbles didn't all dissappear and they looked like a cheap afterthought by Kawasaki. As I have now learned how to get my leg over I may continue without protection.
The jury is still out on the tank protector but suspect that will also come off - there's a magnetic tank bra shaped for the GTR on sale in the US which looks promising if painted to match the bike. Have not been able to find a supplier in the UK so may have it shipped to a colleague in the US and then get them to forward it to me if it looks OK or return it if its garbage - or just get the motografix one for £20
Ian
I think the tank protector is a worthwhile investment.
Happy that Fred can now get his leg over!! I would say the protectors need fitting by either a body specialist who is familiar with applying transfers etc or someone with some skill and patience in arty craft type things. Fortunately I married the daughter of a car bodyshop owner with the patience of a saint, and she fitted mine. They are spot on and hopefully will do the job I paid them to do. The wife/fitting expert reckons that she could have saved me the £29 from Kawasaki by buying sticky back plastic from a craft shop and fitting that. Now she tells me!.
There is no excuse for air bubbles if fitted by a competent person, specially if paying for it. i would demand my money back or replaced under warranty by the dealer.
got my dealer to apply during the bikes first service. not perfect as there are bubbles. still offers protection though. if the bubbles wont come out then i may have to ask for my money bck as they said they could do it. :o
Definately should not be any bubbles, especially when the material has had a chance to dry out.
Fred ... Like you I had the gel protector on the tank at the 600 mile service and although very bubbly to start with, now after a couple of weeks it looks perfect ... all the bubbles are out ( 99% ) and I am very pleased with it . I am surprised the dealer made a hash of the panniers .. a mate at work had his done and it was a perfect finish you couldn't tell that the film was on .. perhaps go back and try a specific shop that does stickers and decorating flash cars etc ... Hope it all works out !
Been looking at having Venture Shield applied to the entire painted section of the panniers.
Found a dealer on the internet thats 4-5mls from where I live that supplies and fits them to cars and bikes, the down side is that the pannier is 640*400mm (ish) and the only sheet that would cover a pannier without a join is 1200*600 and its £110 a sheet. Have not been to see them yet so don't know how well they can be joined or what deal can be done.
Why are you applying it to the whole pannier?
Only the tops from kicks getting on and off, and the front leading edge to protect from stones etc, that need covering.
New to the forum. I fitted the side case protectors and went over to spain for ten days. They actually make the side cases look worse [perhaps not enough soapy water] Am going to take them off and just be careful when getting the leg over [as always] When trading in my ZZR for the GTR the owner of Kawa Edinburgh siad he expected normal wear and tear on the paintwork - so no reduction in trade in price as far as I could see.
If anyone would like the services of an expert film applicator, my wife is available for a fee. I asked her what she was doing next weekend, and of course she replied "nothing" expecting a day out. So she is available next weekend to fit pannier protecvtive films. Bless her.
Quote from: ChrisB on April 18, 2011, 10:14:05 PM
If anyone would like the services of an expert film applicator, my wife is available for a fee. I asked her what she was doing next weekend, and of course she replied "nothing" expecting a day out. So she is available next weekend to fit pannier protecvtive films. Bless her.
Lol ;D Suckered.