New "graphics" on my X

I have been wanting to get new shroud graphics for my bike, but couldn't find the right ones. I didn't feel like paying close to $100 for some stickers, either. I painted some stripes on my fenders a little while back (https://wr250rforum.forumotion.com/t9776-some-personalization-of-my-wrx) and had some paint left over. So I decided to make my own shroud graphics!

I started by removing the stock stickers. Clean slate, blank canvas, whatever you want to call it:


After much taping, masking, etc., I used the same Valspar plastic paint as the stripes on the fenders and put a white stripe on the shroud:


I got some adhesive Scotchlite 680 material from eBay, which I had used previously on my helmet. This stuff is really cool, it is black under normal light, but when something shines on it, it becomes super-reflective. It cost $4.95 for 5 strips, roughly 3 1/2" x 9" each.

After much cutting, trimming, cursing, trimming, cursing, trimming, crying, trimming, here is what I ended up with.


I had some of the reflective yellow pinstripe left over from the fenders, also. Add that to the mix, and I think it turned out really well.


Here it is with the phone flash on to get an idea of the reflectivity of this stuff:



I am happy with it. I didn't sand the paint smooth first, and I painted outdoors on a breezy day, so there are some little dimples and bubbles in the vinyl, but it looks good from 2 feet away. Not too bad for $4.95 investment and a Saturday afternoon.

Wow, that looks great! Very impressive work.

I finished the other side and added a bit more to the graphics. Any fellow Dark Tower fans?