oj.

I've just finished building up an old (and not common) Alpinestars mountain bike, that I've had powder coated. The only decals I can get for it are those for the somewhat famous and a lot more high end Alpinestars Cro-mega. Obviously this isn't a Cro-mega and those stickers are a PIA to get hold of so I'm looking for some inspiration for non branded decals I could apply to the frame. Thinking things like stripes, something subtle but makes the bike a bit more interesting.


Alpinestars CR100 resprayed from silver to holographic blue/purple.


Rather tired CR100 before coating


TIA for any suggestions

dsaul

Do you know anyone with a Cricut type vinyl cutter? They could cut you a negative space decal like this one https://anydecals.com/alpinestars-car-decal/ If you were in the US, I would cut them for you.

oj.

I used to have access to one in high school, and I could probably get one of my friends who's an art student to get them cut for me. Unfortunately the Scottish First Minister has placed us all under lockdown until may. I might see if I can find an online service who's willing to do one off cut decals. Cheers

JohnDThompson 

There's always Rivendell's "Resurrectio" decal set:

https://www.rivbike.com/products/resurrectio-decals

oj.

oof $35 plus shipping, bit much for me to swallow

Crankycrank

I have never used this place but had it in my bookmarks for some reason and somewhat near Scotland for shipping. Prices seem reasonable and they have at least one example of a different model Alpinestars MTB about 3/5 down the page. (20+) retrodecals | Facebook

Andrew R Stewart 

Dry apply letter transfers use to be pretty common. Make up your own name with them. Amazon.com : dry transfer lettering Andy

oj.

I've sent them a PM, but I can't get on their website. Hoping their still in business.

Camilo

Look for a local shop that does custom stripes, logos, decals etc. for private and commercial vehicles. They're pretty common and exist in most cities of any size. They can create anything you want. They have suitable materials, cutting capability, ink and design software. I've had my local shop create near-perfect facsimiles for a somewhat obscure brand of bike I "restored". I brought them photos from the internet, some rough dimensions and they were able to identify the font and we worked together tweaking the colors. This would be even easier if you just want some generic or self-designed stuff for your frame.

3alarmer 

https://doityourselflettering.com/

...ask up front about the across the Atlantic thing, but I can't imagine it's a problem.

Iride01 

Have you checked with these folks? https://velocals.com/

Although they are in USA. Don't know if they do international. Nor do I know if they make custom stuff. Mostly vintage.

If $35 plus shipping bothered you, then they probably aren't for you either.

Find someone that does car art or airbrush work. Then clear coat it..... but then again there is that 35 dollar thing you'll probably exceed.

I'm not meaning to sound rude or cruel, but just trying to wake you up to the fact there aren't any 10 cent decals around any more.

oj.

I'm not opposed to spending the money to get the right product, more that I don't want to spend a whole lot of money on something that could be considered a compromise. I probably should have been more clear on this, but unless it's a period correct set of alpinestars decals I'd rather not spend the money. This bike is for my mum, and whilst I'd appreciate good decals it's neither here nor there for her. I seem to be getting somewhere with the guy on Facebook and he claims to have 'many' alpinestars decal files available.

jgwilliams

Have you tried H Lloyd Cycles? They have a pretty vast range. You may have trouble getting certain decals to stick to powder coating; were you planning to put a clear coat over them?

oj.

I'm actually planning on purchasing the decals for my old BSA which I had coated at the same time from H Lloyd's. No alpinestars from them I'm afraid. My friends who've had frames powder coated have never had issues with vinyl stickers, so I'm hoping that I'll be the same. I think I'll ask for a sample to be safe though. If I do applied decals permanently I'll be putting some clear coat on the top, but only for expensive decals. I can't imagine the finish with a can of clear coat could match the professional powder coat, so for cheap options it would be easier just to apply some different decals when they wear out, or just rock the patina

denaffen

You can buy waterslide decal sheets for your home printer. Put something together you like, print it, and put it on. They come out beautifully.

jgwilliams

You could try Colour-Tech in Dartford, Kent. I enquired about getting one of my bike re-enamelled and mentioned that there were a couple of decals that I couldn't get. They seemed quite happy to laser-cut the decals for me and, from memory, I think the price was very reasonable. They would have been handling the whole job, of course, which may make a difference. Sadly I never have managed to scrape together the money to get that bike done; there always seems to be something with a higher priority.

oj.

If only I hadn't chucked out the consumer level inkjet that I was sick of buying ink for, in favour of an ex-office laser jet. Maybe an excuse to buy myself a photo printer?

Charliekeet

Chiming in to say that is not a site I'd visited before, and WOW!

veganbikes

There are bike brands I want that I hadn't heard of any am only seeing logos for. I like the stuff I don't have anything on that list that I need decals for but I will keep it in the back of the head because it might be just what I need.