HOW TO APPLY GRAPHICS

First, remove the old mangled stickers. Use the old sticker to gather bits of glue that stayed on the plastic, as shown. It should be a tamping action, and the sticker will collect the glue. DSP has an organic glue remover that works well, too.

Thoroughly clean the plastic with a soft cloth or towel and contact cleaner. You don?t want any oil, lint or debris on the surface. Allow to dry completely.

Carefully, with a sharp razor blade, cut off one corner of the graphic sheet?s wax-paper backing. This is much like the way N-Style numbers have a two-piece backing for easier placement.

Line up the graphic sheet on the radiator shroud. When you have it centered, press the exposed corner of glue into place. Now, working from the bottom to top, separate the backing from the graphic with one hand and press the graphic home with the other.

Cut or peel back one corner of the tank graphic, line up the sticker with the radiator shroud graphic, then set the one corner. Peel the backing away and press the tank sticker into place, working from one end to the other to minimize bubbles.

For fender stickers, start at the end of the fender and press the center (flat) portion home first, then, using your fingers, work the graphic over the edges of the fender and onto the sides.

Use the corner of a sharp razor blade or X-acto knife to puncture bubbles, and rub flat with your finger or a plastic putty knife. Lift one corner of the sticker for huge bubbles.

It?s best to remove fork guards for perfect sticker placement. Start at the outside (most visible side) of the guard and align the sticker with this edge. Now work the sticker on each flat surface and curve with your fingers.

Randy Lawrence spends three or four hours putting stickers on McGrath?s bike before every race. Here he protects the frame with clear film, and he?ll add skateboard grip tape next. An airgun is only needed in cold weather (to make the decal pliable) or when forming a sticker over a very uneven surface.