Bike decals, those eye-catching graphics that add personality and branding to your ride, aren’t simply stuck onto the bare frame. If they were, they’d quickly peel off and look rather unfinished. For a durable and professional finish, especially on quality bikes, Decals On Bike frames are almost always covered with a clear coat. This clear layer serves both functional and aesthetic purposes.
Modern bike painters, particularly those aiming for a high-end finish, prioritize a seamless look. They achieve this by applying multiple layers of clear coat which are then meticulously wet-sanded and buffed. Imagine the issue of buffing around the edges of a decal – it would be nearly impossible to get a perfectly smooth surface. By burying the decals under a substantial clear coat, painters eliminate any edges, creating that desirable “no edges here” appearance that is synonymous with a flawless, custom paint job. This perfect finish is often what discerning customers expect when investing in top-tier custom paintwork.
While high-end brands like De Rosa and Merckx also utilize clear coat over their decals, the application might differ slightly from custom repainters. Due to the demands of production, even at the level of De Rosa, a fully buried decal might be too time-consuming and costly. Therefore, production bikes often receive a lighter clear coat application, resulting in slightly visible decal edges. Historically, before modern clear coats, simpler methods were employed. One such method involved varnishing the decals. In fact, varnish, particularly one formulated with lead, offered a surprisingly thin, durable, and easy-to-apply finish, even with just a brush. Lead-based varnish was a common solution well into the clear coat era due to its user-friendly application and effectiveness.
Ultimately, the decision of how much clear coat to apply often balances durability, aesthetics, and production efficiency. While a thick clear coat provides the most seamless and protected finish for decals on bike frames, lighter applications and even historical varnishing methods have also served their purpose. If you’re considering a custom paint job, discussing your preferred decal finish with your painter is crucial to achieve the desired look, even if it means deviating slightly from standard factory practices.
