Pannier protection film - anyone fitted it themselves?

[Martin#30]

Morning all,

When negotiating the purchase of my new bike, I got the dealer to include and fit the genuine accessory pannier protective films to the bike.

Between that point and collection, the dealer changed their mind saying it was a pig of a job, and they had no confidence of doing an acceptable job without trapped bubbles. This is based on recent experience of fitting to other's bikes.

The dealer have been great, and have really tried to help. They have spoken to a local vinyl wrap firm who also don't want the work, the film is too thick they say to be able to fit nicely.

The demo bike was covered in boot marks on the pannier tops, hence why I wanted the film fitting. I am now wondering whether to bother, or to try and fit it myself.

Any experience?

Martin.

[Kwikasfuki]

Mine had it fitted to the front of the bike, not the panniers (or maybe it does and I haven't looked hard enough). It can be messy but the trick is to have soapy water which allows easy adjustment and then a sponge to work the bubbles out.

[Rusty]

How about some good old soft cloth and plenty of Auto Glym ?? Seriously ... Give it a good polish and start building up a layer of wax on those boxes and if your boots do catch the top just wipe the mark off .. It's all so easy.

[Lonewolf]

I've got to admit that I have occasionally just caught the top of my right pannier with my boot when getting off. Sometimes you can see a very faint mark but it just polishes out, I always give the bike a decent polish after its been washed so I guess this helps when you are clumsy like me. ::)

[Martin#30]

Thanks all.

I am going to have a go at fitting the films myself, after all, how hard can it be ?  ::)  I'll post back and let everyone know how much of a complete b1tch simple it was to fit.

Martin.

[PCPeteUK]

Thanks all.

I am going to have a go at fitting the films myself, after all, how hard can it be ?  ::)  I'll post back and let everyone know how much of a complete b1tch simple it was to fit.

Martin.

Hi Martin,
how did you get on?
I have the film on my bench and I'm waiting on gaining  enough courage to have a go :)

[Winston Smith]

Pete, dead easy to do.  Follow the instructions, use lots, more, loads, another bucket and then use lots of soapy water (you get a sachet of liquid to mix)

Keep plenty on and heat with hairdryer as you apply the film.  Squeegee excess water/soap as it moulds and voila!

[alibx11]

Winston found the secret... the hairdryer.. works on vinyl and the carbon vinyl wrap.

The bike I got had a big deep scrape across the top of the right pannier, must have been a big booted owner, tried t cut etc.. but mines there for the duration now.. so know why you want the vinyl on in the first place Pete.

Good job.

[Gonome]

Pete, dead easy to do.  Follow the instructions, use lots, more, loads, another bucket and then use lots of soapy water (you get a sachet of liquid to mix)

Keep plenty on and heat with hairdryer as you apply the film.  Squeegee excess water/soap as it moulds and voila!

  Even I managed to apply film across the tops of both panniers without loosing my temper once. Rare occurrence! Just need to be patient and use plenty of soappy water and ensure no trapped bubbles with careful use of the hair dryer.

[PCPeteUK]

Thanks all - seems 'simple' enough and I wondered what the sachets were for... I think I will have a play at the weekend then 

[nige gtr]

Hi I,ve fitted a couple of sets of them,both on my GTR,and on two BMW rt,s.Its a pain,but if you take your time,its not too bad.Most dealers won,t fit them as they don,t want to pay out should it go wrong.I removed mine from the GTR,and have replaced them with black textured vehicle vinyl,which looks better,and resists heel scuffs better.Even if you don,t carry a passenger,(I do),its un-avoidable to catch your boot on the pannier top.If you want a detailed explanation,pm me .cheers.

[O.C.]

I tried to fit the protective films from Kawasaki some time ago, and having got film, panniers, soapy water, and my frame of mind, all at a nice room temperature I managed to completely screw it up, so I did just that (screw them up) and deposited them in the bin 

Its apparent that what I needed was a hair dryer to complete the exercise............................PAH !  where the  am I gonna get on of them, I've got less hair than a billiard ball 

[Mean1400]

Haha, less hair than a billiard ball 

I just mounted mine with a little help from my wife. It's good to have someone to help hold the pannier.

1. YOU NEED A HAIRDRYER!! Otherwise it's impossible to do the job.
2. Always have a wet surface and use a spray bottle. I used about half a liter for two panniers.
3. Be very precise and fit the tape at exactly the right place. If you miss a little in the beginning it will be worse at the end... Especially in the turns. Because you don't get them in the correct place.
4. Fit the tape towards the inner side first (it's the easy part...) and then work towards the outside.
5. For each section work from the middle and out to the outside ends.
6. Do one section at a time
7. Hold the hairdryer with left hand and use the rubber scraper (squeegee) (whatever it's called) with the right hand and press gently.

Note. I had to redo the job two times on the first pannier. But now it looks really good.

Good Luck!

[100milesaway]

So if you haven't got a wife your           

[doebag]

Some would say if you have a wife you are