Advice on reflective wheel tape installation

[Brando]

So, I bought some wheel tape last week and attempted to install them on my wheels this past weekend. The brand I purchased was Pro Grip. I pulled up some YouTube videos to familiarize myself with how to use the applicator and all was good; it didn't look difficult at all.

Well, to my surprise, I had difficulties. Most importantly, the tape would not stay adhered to my wheels as I spun the applicator around while rotating the wheel. The other problem was the applicator is made so that the guide that rests on the inner wheel rim is at a 90º angle which my rims are not. Even after I bent the guide to the angle appropriate, it was still impossible to apply because the tape wouldn't stay stuck. I also tried to do it by hand without the applicator; still a fail.

For those who have been successful doing this, what brand tape did you purchase? I need to try this again.

BTW, I was doing this in my garage in appropriate temperature conditions.

[fish]

So, I bought some wheel tape last week and attempted to install them on my wheels this past weekend. The brand I purchased was Pro Grip. I pulled up some YouTube videos to familiarize myself with how to use the applicator and all was good; it didn't look difficult at all.

Well, to my surprise, I had difficulties. Most importantly, the tape would not stay adhered to my wheels as I spun the applicator around while rotating the wheel. The other problem was the applicator is made so that the guide that rests on the inner wheel rim is at a 90º angle which my rims are not. Even after I bent the guide to the angle appropriate, it was still impossible to apply because the tape wouldn't stay stuck. I also tried to do it by hand without the applicator; still a fail.

For those who have been successful doing this, what brand tape did you purchase? I need to try this again.

BTW, I was doing this in my garage in appropriate temperature conditions.

Go on ebay. Look for the reflective strips which are curved to fit your wheel size. You can order one for each different wheel size in the same order. You can pick your color. You can choose what lettering and/or logo you want printed on the strip, and how many times it will be printed on each wheel and the color of the lettering.


Forget the tape! Use the precurved peel and stick strips - spritz each strip lightly with a soap solution in a spray bottle (one cap full per spray bottle of water) I wipe the rim with rubbing alcohol....get it clean!
Lay down next to the wheel, take your time, move them around while wet - then blot dry with a paper towel. Let sit for 24hrs before riding to fully dry and "set". I've completed 2 scoots and 2 motorcycles with these.
Front wheel is jacked to spin when I need it to.


Fish

[fish]

Why I used reflective wheel tapes.

In the daytime they are not garish...


Fish

[Brando]

So, I bought some wheel tape last week and attempted to install them on my wheels this past weekend. The brand I purchased was Pro Grip. I pulled up some YouTube videos to familiarize myself with how to use the applicator and all was good; it didn't look difficult at all.

Well, to my surprise, I had difficulties. Most importantly, the tape would not stay adhered to my wheels as I spun the applicator around while rotating the wheel. The other problem was the applicator is made so that the guide that rests on the inner wheel rim is at a 90º angle which my rims are not. Even after I bent the guide to the angle appropriate, it was still impossible to apply because the tape wouldn't stay stuck. I also tried to do it by hand without the applicator; still a fail.

For those who have been successful doing this, what brand tape did you purchase? I need to try this again.

BTW, I was doing this in my garage in appropriate temperature conditions.

Go on ebay. Look for the reflective strips which are curved to fit your wheel size. You can order one for each different wheel size in the same order. You can pick your color. You can choose what lettering and/or logo you want printed on the strip, and how many times it will be printed on each wheel and the color of the lettering.


Forget the tape! Use the precurved peel and stick strips - spritz each strip lightly with a soap solution in a spray bottle (one cap full per spray bottle of water) I wipe the rim with rubbing alcohol....get it clean!
Lay down next to the wheel, take your time, move them around while wet - then blot dry with a paper towel. Let sit for 24hrs before riding to fully dry and "set". I've completed 2 scoots and 2 motorcycles with these.
Front wheel is jacked to spin when I need it to.


Fish

BIG THANKS, Fish. I had been looking at the "precurved" strips as an alternative before going with the tape. I'm sold. P.S. I really enjoy your posts.

[homie]

This is one of the most difficult things you will do. It rates right up there with carbon fibre wrap %$#@& I ended up with wads of wasted material and a wounded ego. I would rather do a valve clearance check on a PCX than try to apply Pro Grip wheel tape to a rim (Pro Grip is better suited for body panel applications) However when I bought common garden variety pinstripe and cleaned my rim with an alcohol wipedown the job got easier and to this day looks GREAT!

[fish]

Yeah, never did locate that half used roll of rim tape in my garage. After 2 hrs, I got up off the concrete and threw it so hard it bounced off a few walls and went somewhere behind one of the 9 boxes of Xmas lights, that may or not work.
I peeled the mess off of me, the scoot, the floor, and cursed like a Portuguese sailor.
Mrs Fish cautioned the children, "give Poppa some space right now, I think that's Portuguese."

Fish

[Eiron]

I peeled the mess off of me, the scoot, the floor, and cursed like a Portuguese sailor.
Mrs Fish cautioned the children, "give Poppa some space right now, I think that's Portuguese."

[Brando]

This is one of the most difficult things you will do. It rates right up there with carbon fibre wrap %$#@& I ended up with wads of wasted material and a wounded ego. I would rather do a valve clearance check on a PCX than try to apply Pro Grip wheel tape to a rim (Pro Grip is better suited for body panel applications) However when I bought common garden variety pinstripe and cleaned my rim with an alcohol wipedown the job got easier and to this day looks GREAT!

Man, I didn't think it would be THAT difficult. I cleaned my rims properly and everything too.

[Brando]

Yeah, never did locate that half used roll of rim tape in my garage. After 2 hrs, I got up off the concrete and threw it so hard it bounced off a few walls and went somewhere behind one of the 9 boxes of Xmas lights, that may or not work.
I peeled the mess off of me, the scoot, the floor, and cursed like a Portuguese sailor.
Mrs Fish cautioned the children, "give Poppa some space right now, I think that's Portuguese."

Fish

Nyuk, nyuk

[samopolacek]

Hey guys,

I'm waiting for my new pcx 2018 and while I've been watching some videos I've found this one:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mo3xUNMHiAg

I would like to do the same rim and body tape artwork in red. What's the diameter of new 2018 model rim so I can order premade shaped strips as fish suggested. Also for the body artwork the pro grip tape might be the best option. Will the colors of rim tape and body tape match?

[Eiron]

What I did on my wheels was place strips of reflective tape across the rims rather than around the rims. That way they're visible both from the sides and from the front/rear. The front rim has a center rib that I didn't tape over, but the rear doesn't and the tape goes across from one side to the other.

Side view of front wheel

P7260022.JPG (220.12 KiB) Viewed 1589 times

3/4 view of front wheel

P7260023.JPG (139.75 KiB) Viewed 1589 times

I tried to create a short video clip of the wheel spinning, but got frustrated with the free video editors and gave up.
Here's a video clip of a similar effect on a bicycle wheel:
(skip to about 00:33)
Reflective tape on bicycle wheels
I didn't use as many strips, so the effect has more "motion" on my wheels.

[you you]

Good idea

[Brando]

Good idea

Yes, definitely a good idea!