Frame Protection / Applying decals

Im going to pick up my newly powdercoated 223 today and was wondering what is the best way to protect it from damage (mainly chain damage to the swingarm and rock strikes to the downtube)

I know about heli tape but dont really want to use that as its pretty unsightly, something like a thick clear plastic film would be perfect but i dont know if such a thing exists.

Also how would one go about attaching decals to it, i've just ordered some off orange now. Do i need to spray laquer over the top or will they be ok just transferred on?

Help is greatly appreciated,

James

something like a thick clear plastic film would be perfect but i dont know if such a thing exists.

ermm….heli tape

Some time ago, I bought some secondary double glazing sheet from Homebase/B&Q instead of helitape. Comes on a big roll. It's cheaper than heliptape, sticks well, and protects well. You have to hunt to get clear, as many of the designs are somewhat floral as people use them to also frost their windows.

Like theotherjamie has said, I think you got duct tape and heli tape mixed up, heli tape is a clear plastic film…

Chainstay protectors are plentiful but the best ones are specialized ones, thicker longer and just better than anything else I have tried… I just bought one of the new moulded plastic ones and it fitted my scandal fine, but the neoprene velcro ones are still superior.

If you're careful with the application of helitape it's invisible. I see loads of it really shodily applied and it looks worse than worn and scratched paint. But if you're careful and do it properly it's fine. Half my bike's covered in it and nobody notices.

However Orange swingarms can't really accept helitape to defend against chainslap as the weld along the bottom prevents proper application, and that is the very area that suffers heavily. Whipping the mech off and stretching innertube over the swingarm is the most practical solution but it's very ugly, so instead I'd buy two (neoprene or whatever) chainstay protectors and use them together so they'll reach round the box section.

use heli tape for most parts and handle bar tape for chainstay

This stuff goes on much better than helitape, but its not cheap.
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Sports_Cover_Bike_Shield_Frame_Protector_Set/5300003844/

Use an old inner tube and a couple of zip-ties as a chainstay protector

secondary double glazing

Wouldn't it get broken ? 🙂

Where did the old one chip…
Heli-tape is clear. You're not confused with something else are you ?

must be confusing it with something else, i though it was thick black stuff 😳

just looked on ebay lloks like helicopter tape is what im after. do you reckon a strip down the downtube and under the swingarm will suffice?

Will the weld be a problem for application?

James