First time scooter owner -- looking to go custom.
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- Melody
- Member
- Posts: 36
- Joined: Thu Aug 31, 2006 9:49 pm
- Location: Seattle, WA
First time scooter owner -- looking to go custom.
Hey all,
I have been digging through old strings to get ideas/pointers for customizing my scooter. Here is the situation.
I just bought my first scoot last week - a cream 125. I love the scoot as it, but I already have plans to customize.
I am looking to do the following:
1. Remove the Buddy logos -- I read a string that says peel and apply wd-40. Any other pointers I should know before I attempt to do this?
2. Apply custom graphics of classic tattoo art (very Sailor Jerry like). I want my scoot (Kevin) to look like he is "inked". I am working on the designs and getting the vinyl printed...I might attempt to apply these myself...any pointers here? Do you think a first time scoot gal can do this?
3. Paint the wheels red. What kind of paint should I use. Powder coating is out of my price range right now. Is removing the wheels hard? I am a little worried to try this on my own. I'm not a mechanic by any means. I changed the oil on my first car once when I was in my teens -- is this bad idea?
4. Coat the passenger foot rests. I have read that I should do line X, which I am sure helps with grip. I think I might like to do these red as well...any suggestions on paint?
That's all for now.
Please help a first time scoot owner and DEFINATLEY first time customizer!
HELP!
I don't want a girly scoot (no offense). I want something a little more funky.
I have been digging through old strings to get ideas/pointers for customizing my scooter. Here is the situation.
I just bought my first scoot last week - a cream 125. I love the scoot as it, but I already have plans to customize.
I am looking to do the following:
1. Remove the Buddy logos -- I read a string that says peel and apply wd-40. Any other pointers I should know before I attempt to do this?
2. Apply custom graphics of classic tattoo art (very Sailor Jerry like). I want my scoot (Kevin) to look like he is "inked". I am working on the designs and getting the vinyl printed...I might attempt to apply these myself...any pointers here? Do you think a first time scoot gal can do this?
3. Paint the wheels red. What kind of paint should I use. Powder coating is out of my price range right now. Is removing the wheels hard? I am a little worried to try this on my own. I'm not a mechanic by any means. I changed the oil on my first car once when I was in my teens -- is this bad idea?
4. Coat the passenger foot rests. I have read that I should do line X, which I am sure helps with grip. I think I might like to do these red as well...any suggestions on paint?
That's all for now.
Please help a first time scoot owner and DEFINATLEY first time customizer!
HELP!
I don't want a girly scoot (no offense). I want something a little more funky.
Peace and Love
- vitaminC
- Member
- Posts: 765
- Joined: Mon Aug 07, 2006 4:32 pm
- Location: Redwood City, CA
- Contact:
Sorry I can't help with the paint questions, but removing the wheels looks pretty straightforward. Download a copy of the service manual ( http://www.genuinescooters.com/ftp/budd ... manual.pdf ) and just follow the directions. If in doubt, find a trustworthy friend with a little experience!
- Melody
- Member
- Posts: 36
- Joined: Thu Aug 31, 2006 9:49 pm
- Location: Seattle, WA
- AxeYrCat
- Member
- Posts: 629
- Joined: Thu Aug 03, 2006 4:44 am
- Location: Brooklyn, NY
Application of vinyl can be a HUGE PITA. Or it can be pretty easy and straightforward, depending on the complexity of the graphic and how steady your hands are.
Biggest tip for those: GO SLOW. 100 false-starts to get it positioned perfectly is much better than the anguish you'll feel if you eff up and potentially destroy or deform your graphics trying to fix it.
Biggest tip for those: GO SLOW. 100 false-starts to get it positioned perfectly is much better than the anguish you'll feel if you eff up and potentially destroy or deform your graphics trying to fix it.
Huh? What just happened?
- ka24desc
- Member
- Posts: 31
- Joined: Sun Aug 27, 2006 4:02 am
- Location: Tucson
In my own past experiences with vinyl graphics, whin putting them on my car, I used a spray bottle of water with a couple of drops of dish soap.
Simply spray the area that you want to apply the graphic and position. This will allow you a greater margin of error by letting you slide it into position, then carefully squeege with a lint free cloth. After it dries they're not going anywhere. Mine are still on my car 4 years and running.
Simply spray the area that you want to apply the graphic and position. This will allow you a greater margin of error by letting you slide it into position, then carefully squeege with a lint free cloth. After it dries they're not going anywhere. Mine are still on my car 4 years and running.
Have fun in life, doing whatever you do whenever you do it.
- ericalm
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- Location: Los Angeles, CA
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- Member
- Posts: 23
- Joined: Fri Sep 01, 2006 5:27 pm
- Location: Seattle, Wa
Well I just popped on to be a hero with my brilliant "water with a drop or 2 of dishsoap" technique but I see it's a little late for that. Thanks for stealin my thunder Axe Yrcat! Jeez...
Ducati Seattle is at your service. If you have buddy questions or needs, call me at (206) 298-9995. Keep the rubber side down out there kids.
- Melody
- Member
- Posts: 36
- Joined: Thu Aug 31, 2006 9:49 pm
- Location: Seattle, WA
SWEET!
Water and soap it is. I am going to attempt to do it on my own. I think the artist in me will be able to manage
I have been calling some places about powder coating and for a car wheel they charge $60 each -- the scoot wheel should be SIGNIFICANTLY cheaper. Forget painting. I am going to get it done right.
Red wheels to match the red springs. I wonder if they could coat the passenger foot grips.
HMMM.
Water and soap it is. I am going to attempt to do it on my own. I think the artist in me will be able to manage
I have been calling some places about powder coating and for a car wheel they charge $60 each -- the scoot wheel should be SIGNIFICANTLY cheaper. Forget painting. I am going to get it done right.
Red wheels to match the red springs. I wonder if they could coat the passenger foot grips.
HMMM.
Peace and Love
- KidDynomite
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- Joined: Fri Sep 01, 2006 2:53 pm
- Location: Kansas City, MO
- ctpaddler2000
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- Joined: Thu Jun 22, 2006 3:05 pm
- Location: Connecticut
- Contact:
Re: First time scooter owner -- looking to go custom.
Another tip is to apply a little heat with a blow dryer.Melody wrote:Remove the Buddy logos -- I read a string that says peel and apply wd-40. Any other pointers I should know before I attempt to do this?
Another product to use instead of WD40 is "Goo Gone". I have seen it in hardware stores, big supermarkets, and craft stores.
Rob
- KidDynomite
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- Location: Kansas City, MO
- Melody
- Member
- Posts: 36
- Joined: Thu Aug 31, 2006 9:49 pm
- Location: Seattle, WA
Yeah, I walked outside a few days ago and simply pulled them off. Nothing left behind. It was easier than I ever imagined it would be.
Huh.
FYI - Just got my first quote for powder coating the wheels - $30-$40 per wheel. Not too shabby. HOWEVER, they will need the wheels for 7-10 days. UMMMMM, not as long as it's sunny!!!
Huh.
FYI - Just got my first quote for powder coating the wheels - $30-$40 per wheel. Not too shabby. HOWEVER, they will need the wheels for 7-10 days. UMMMMM, not as long as it's sunny!!!
Peace and Love