Motorcycle vinyl wraps alternative to paint

A not so new vinyl wrap application, that looks like paint but peels off when you don't want it around finally is available on the mainland. Wide variety of colours and patterns available (though unsure if applied, requires a change to a vehicles registration with the traffic PSB as is the case with changing the painted colour on a vehicle).

The vinyl wrap, is quite common in many overseas countries. Numerous cars and motorcycles have had vinyl wraps, and the options are only limited by ones imagination and budget (see some links below).

This type of wrapping method uses a vinyl that is much thinner than the standard/regular type of vinyl most signwriters use for sign design and fabrication. This makes the vinyl wrap much more malleable, stretchable and also doesn't have the memory of regular vinyl, making it much easier to control and apply especially around corners, edges and curved surfaces.

Essentially any bike can be wrapped from the micro pocket rockets all the way up to full touring bikes and cruisers. The design process for some include setting up custom templates which may require having the motorcycle taken to a shop for installation of the wrap while in other cases it is possible to order and install the wrap as a DIY.

Body wraps aren't like other kits where your motorcycle has to be a base colour. The wraps aren't decal kits, they are full wraps that cover the entire body work of the motorcycle. Your motorcycle DOES NOT have to be painted a base coluor or primer colour first.

Generally if well looked after body wraps last many many years on motorcycles, and most are warranted for 2 years by 3M against fading and peeling with proper installation.

Good quality vinyl wraps DO NOT have a tendency to peel off from pressure washing like decal kits. There are no edges or overlaps along the side of the body work because it is covered as one piece.

High quality vinyl wraps are printed on 3M CV3 Controltac w/3M 8518 gloss laminate. This offers the thinnest material which makes it easier to conform to curves and also provides the highest gloss possible on vinyl graphics. The quality of the print and shine could be compared to clear coated paint.

The material is very thin and stretches very easily, however it does take a little bit of pulling to conform to curves. The material is also engineered to have a low retention of "memory" which allows it to conform to body work and stay when pressed into air ducts, etc. Also the kit is usually installed in sections which allow relief areas for the tail and gas tank. For instance the tank is made up of one top piece and two side pieces which is ideal for fitting shapes with a very tight radius.

It's important to note, if repainting any vehicle, one has to return to the traffic police management bureau where plates were issued for the vehicle to have documents amended to indicate the new colour and also new photos taken. Since TIC and not all rules apply equally, it might be prudent to check first with the same entity in your location if changing the colour is allowed or needs pre-approval first. In my location pre-approval was needed BEFORE repainting a vehicle. The rules have since changed, and for motorcycles at least, the repaint can be undertaken then application to have all the paperwork modified after the fact. It is unclear and unknown at the time of writing whether these rules/requirements would apply to the application of vinyl wraps. I think it would, since the vehicle appearance has changed from the original photo in the motor vehicle licence... but that's applying logic and as most know, seems like PRC is a logic free zone, TIC!

Available in Shanghai:
Shop owner: Alex (Taiwanese) speaks English.
Shop location: corner HongSong lu and YiLi lu in HongQiao, GuBei, ShangHai.

[info will be updated as more information is sourced]

Various links to discussions and photo examples of vinyl wrap / wrapping;

forum with several motorcycle wrap photo examples

ferrari-360-wrapped-red

race support unit body wrap

Fellers wrap supply company

Fellers vehicle wrap video examples

Motorcycle forum discussion on vinyl wraps (2010)

Steelskinz motorcycle wraps

Motovinyl UK wraps

Skinwrapz USA wraps motorcycle samples

Bikeskinz motorcycle specific wrap company (good pricing options)

Bikeskinz customer gallery (craZy goOd)

Just to wet the MCM pervs appetites ;)