tank protection

[A440_imp]

I just finished installing mine on a 2014 DLX the other day. I had installed the regular Tankslapper film on my last bike and it worked just fine. This time I decided to try the upgraded XPEL film. If you want the ultimate in transparency, this is the way to go. I know that it is more than double the cost of the standard film but unless you know it's there, you don't even notice it. You would have to physically point to the edges to show someone else that it's on your tank. It's hard to see in the picture but you can just make out the edges.



The installation was pretty easy, though. If you don't already have a squeegee than I would recommend springing for the 95mm Turbo Squeegee for $5.69. I no longer had whatever I had used on my last bike so I needed something new. What I would have spent on something locally wouldn't have saved me that much money and this Turbo Squeegee really is a great tool, much better than what I had and designed to work specifically for this application.



Use soapy water like the directions say and it should go on just fine. The first time is a little intimidating because your sure there's no way this film is going to go on smoothly and lie flat as you try to work it around the curves but it eventually does. Just keep it wet and keep working it out with your squeegee and even your hands. Just like a screen protector on your phone, it takes a day or two before it's completely dry and smooth. It looks great once it's done, or should I say it "doesn't" look great!

Here's the direct link to the CB1100 Tankslapper page:

[url=https://thetankslapper.biz/oc/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=409&search=]Tankslapper for Honda CB1100

Setchman, are you sure the picture you show has the Tankslapper on it? It looks amazing, I can't see it at all. My issue is not with the tops of the tank near the seat, but on the sides where your legs have a tendency to rub the tank, again near the seat. And this product fills that bill? And what Expel did you use? The gloss one or the matte one?

Here's a better picture. You can see the separation between the top and side pieces better.

[url=http://s1124.photobucket.com/user/kruegerhome/media/1EK_5618-002.jpg.html]

If you want absolute transparency then get the gloss. Although I've not seen any installed, I'm sure the matte version would clearly show itself.

I was skeptical at first but this XPEL film really is amazing stuff. I know I'm repeating myself but if you and I were standing right next to my bike and you didn't know I had it on my tank, I don't think you would ever notice it. Just today I removed the center piece because there was one little area that was bugging me and the only way to fix it was to take it off completely.

I thought for sure I was going to ruin it as I was taking it off. It is on so firmly that I thought I was stretching it way too much to the point of damaging it. I got a heat gun and warmed it up a bit and that helped a lot. I took the piece and cleaned both sides with warm, soapy water, reapplied as per the instructions and it looks better than the first time.

And yes, the side pieces are more than big enough to cover the entire area where your legs rub up against the tank.

Can the XPEL film be repositioned indefinitely? I put the regular Tankslapper film on my Bonneville because I didn't trust my abilities with the 3M film. My film has become stained, however, and I have been unable to clean it. I wrote to Tankslapper and I was told to try cleaning it with a high-speed polisher, which I don't have.

You did a great job with the film install.