Airglow : Answers

We like decals.
So we've done everything we can to make decals availible for virtually any bike.

We have numerous suppliers at shops, distributors, and manufacturers. In addition to OEM supply, we create our own decals for custom work, including impossible-to-find vintage and out-of-print decals. What we don't have in stock we either have on file, or we can create new ones for your frame. For many bikes, we have pre-assembled kits including all decals from a particular year model.

Due to an increased time demand and the difficulty of creating or locating custom decals, we can no longer sell decal sets alone. Decals are only available to clients having their frames painted with Airglow.

What follows is a detailed breakdown on the different types of decals available, including the pros and cons of applying and working with them.

Types of decals
Simply put, there are as many types of decals as bicycles. We work with thick vinyls, thin transfers, water and solvent-applied vintages, paper, and almost anything else with a sticky back.

The majority of bicycle decals fall into two categories; (1)thick vinyl, used for applying on the surface of the bike, and (2) thin vinyl, applied to the basecoat and clearcoated over. Needless to say, thick over-coat decals are easier to apply, because clearcoat isn't involved in the process.

More time, more cost
Adding decals under the clearcoat requires added time and risk; some decals use adhesive that isn't compatible with our paints, causing ripples or bubbles. Other simply won't adhere to a basecoat. Vintage decals are the most difficult, because the adhesive has been sitting in a warehouse or display case for years. These are the reasons for our extra charge on clearcoating decals.

We now have two different Airglow decals. The first is our signature decal, which reads, "Painted by Hill Clarke," with Hill's signature across the side. The second decal is a standard chainstay protector with a small Airglow logo in either silver or black. All decals are available free of charge upon request.