Plastidip V Rustoleum bed liner V Whatever

[Martin]

I have been using anti slip deck tape for the last 16 years to protect my belly pan and tank. Due to my bike deciding to have a rest, the belly pan is in for a repair and repaint. I was going to recoat with deck tape. But due to the nature of the deck tape, it can't handle compound curves and if water get under the edge it starts to lift. The deck tape where it was applied did a good job, but where I could not cover, heavy stone chipping was evident. I have had a couple of good suggestions one was Plastidip  which comes in clear or black ( My bike is Classic Black metallic ) and can be metalized which I probably wouldn't do. The other was truck bed liner, and having looked a few Rustoleum looks to be the better one. There are advantages and disadvantages Plastidip can be removed but even in multiple layers is it tough enough. Rustoleum is tougher but can't be removed easily, I could be wrong it may be removable. I am now undecided which way to go, I have looked at videos on the internet. And I have thought about a combination of product's.Has anyone used any of these products or an alternative. :dunno
Regards Martin

[TrueAce]

Truck bed liner comes in cans as well as spray........I've used in in truck & trailer beds & ramps & bumpers. The spray doesn't coat thick enough to be solid protection, in my opinion.Three coats brushed bed liner will stand up to a lot of abuse if it has proper time to cure between coats, but it will look pretty coarse on your glass. Don't know if "asphalt look" is gonna be in this year. As for plastidip, my experience is that if it starts getting chipped, it will get really ragged quick. Have you looked into primer then several coats of enamel in black followed by clear coats? With heat to help cure, that might be the hardest finish with decent appearance. Some of the paint experts can be exact, but that's what I've done with belly pans. #m makes a good clear sheet film product that ca really provide good protection, if you can fit it to the compound curves. Let us know what you decide on, with a photo,too.

[rbm]

I've read that 3M leading edge tape (aka. helicopter tape) is also an excellent choice for that application.  You can probably get it from many online sources like Amazon and Ebay, and possibly aircraft supplies depot like Aircraft Spruce.

[broberg]

Plastidip won't hold, as stated above, once it get chipped the rest will follow, it will be a constant respraying to keep the protection.

Clear vinyl, apply with heat around the edges.
There is vinyls that are made for these kind of applications.

[The Mighty Gryphon]

Plastidip won't hold, as stated above, once it get chipped the rest will follow, it will be a constant respraying to keep the protection.

Clear vinyl, apply with heat around the edges.
There is vinyls that are made for these kind of applications.

I agree.  When I had my K100 painted the shop that did it told me to go to the local sign shop and get the clear film they use for protecting signs.  Cost me about $5 for a piece 2' x 3'.  Protects from stones ,and comes off with a heat gun.  Unfortunately it doesn't protect against high curb stones...

[Martin]

Gryph how does it cope with compound curves, and can you heat it to get it to conform. After all the input I am starting to go away from Plastidip and bed liner. I am now starting to think about a combination of the clear 3M tape and the deck tape. If I can get to mould itself around the front grill on the belly pan it would be good. Around the grill and the lower leading edge of the pan is where the chipping occurred. The deck tape stood up pretty good over 16 years, only had to replace bits and pieces when water would get under an edge, mainly where a compound curve occurred. When I bought the last lot of deck tape, it looked the same texture wise as the previous lot. But it is slightly thinner I am going to experiment today with a heat gun on it to see how easy it is to manipulate. At the moment I am grounded ( Wife needs car ), should be getting panels back Thursday, and I'm not in a rush to put on the belly pan. I'm just going to put on the fairing and experiment with the pan. 
Thanks to everyone for their input Martin.

[F14CRAZY]

The custom job on my Pichler seems to have paintable rubber undercoating spray on the lower belly pan (it's painted over in the fairing's color). It's been on there for at least 30k miles (since I've owned it) and it still looks good.

[Martin]

Crazy I'm probably asking a lot after all the deck tape has served me for 120.000 kilometres  and 16 years. I will experiment until I find something.
Thanks Martin.

[broberg]

Gryph how does it cope with compound curves, and can you heat it to get it to conform. After all the input I am starting to go away from Plastidip and bed liner. I am now starting to think about a combination of the clear 3M tape and the deck tape. If I can get to mould itself around the front grill on the belly pan it would be good. Around the grill and the lower leading edge of the pan is where the chipping occurred. The deck tape stood up pretty good over 16 years, only had to replace bits and pieces when water would get under an edge, mainly where a compound curve occurred. When I bought the last lot of deck tape, it looked the same texture wise as the previous lot. But it is slightly thinner I am going to experiment today with a heat gun on it to see how easy it is to manipulate. At the moment I am grounded ( Wife needs car ), should be getting panels back Thursday, and I'm not in a rush to put on the belly pan. I'm just going to put on the fairing and experiment with the pan. 
Thanks to everyone for their input Martin.

Yes, with heat you can make the vinyl wrap around about any shape, you just have to be patient when applying it.

[The Mighty Gryphon]

I don't know if it's possible to mold around the grille.  Judicious application of heat will help and spraying with a mix of water and a bit of rubbing alcohol to help make the film adjustable before the final rub down.  I know the bottom and lower leading edge can be done.

[Martin]

Thanks to all. I will try the clear vinyl and see if I can wrap the whole pan. If I can't I'll try and do around the grill and the leading edge and use the deck tape elsewhere. It now just a case of getting it back and seeing what I can achieve.
Regards Martin.