I just got a sticker kit and i want to put them on my bike. Is there any tips you guys can give me in takling off the old ones and then putting on the new ones? Thanks

 

Hey Joe,
I just put an N-style kit on mine. It wasn't as bad as I thought.
Taking off the stock stickers is easy they don't even leave a residue behind.
After you get the stock ones off clean the plastic really good and make sure it's smooth. If you have deep scratches where the graphics go. Then go over those areas with scotchbrite pads or lite sandpaper until it's smooth. Then clean all the plastic again with alcohol or wax and silicone remover.
Leave the graphics out in the sun so they bend easy and that will make them stickier also. Place marks where the graphics go with the backing still on so you have some reference marks (with a pencil or something). Then when you have your marks go for it. Get the graphic lined up and work from the center out to eliminate air pockets. Use a heat gun or hair dryer to get it to sit flat and so you have no wrinkles. Some people say to use soap and water to get the graphic positioned first, but I had no luck with that. I did one piece of the five piece kit with soap and water, but I did the rest without it and IMO it came out better and sticks better. Just take your time.
If you have a seat cover with the kit your better off taking it to an upholsterer because that was a pain in the a$$. I did mine myself cause I have some expierence and it was still a pain. Hope that helps. Later

 

JOEY9

Whats up man?

I was able to get up to Vermont For the weekend..amongst all the maddness goin on over here. I am happy to report that my bike is running real nice. Thanks to you and all my friends here. as a matter of fact my friend who lives up in VT said that mine was the sweest running Raptor he has ridden. he even asked if i wanted to sell it. he has a 400ex and although he likes that bike alot..it is just lacking. (i smoked him eveytime).

I just got the one industries kit. How did you take the old ones off? Just peeled them? The N sytle was sweet too..that was my other choice.

 

If you know of someone w/ a pressure washer, or there is a really good car wash around, that will do the trick just fine. After my first ride on my '01 Warrior, I washed it at a buddy's house and when I accidentally peeled the corner on one decal, it pissed me off so I shot the rest of them off w/ the pressure washer.

 

Lighter fluid will take the old ones off. (melt the glue) Use alcohol on the surface after the lighter fluid is applied before installing the new stickers.

 

Yeah just peel the old ones off. Mine came off rather easily.
Like the other guy said one of my stock stickers blew off with a pressure washer. That's why I decided on the kit. Later

 

Spray W-D 40 allover the sticker and surounding areas, Let it sit for a while then it should peal off easy. The WD40 eats away the glues on the back of the stickers.

 

don't put your decals in the sun!! it can make em fade..just let a hair drier blow on them for a little bit and it will have the same effect with out the damaging side effects...

 

I also replaced my graphics with GYTR. Very simple process, they just pulled off. I really did not spend a lot of time removing the existing glue film since they where going back over.

I would make a recommendation and purchase the graphics gel that Yamaha sells to make these ease of placing the graphics in the proper position, than simply squeeze out the gel and you have a professional looking job.

Here is some pics of my Raptor with the new graphics. If you cant get any, send me an email and I'll give you some of mine.

My Raptor

 

I don't know anything about the gel, but I know that using Windex instead of soap and water will allow you time to position the graphics w/o messing up the glue at all.
I would have to guess that the gel would work better since it is actually made for this application, but I am sure it is more expensive also.

Just me $.02