I was looking for a used set of Zipp firecrest wheels - I ran across a set and the wheels had the zipp decals on top of the rim - so they could be peeled off. Just caught me off guard. I thought all the newer zipp wheels had the decals built in to the rim - can any firecrest owners verify this for me? Just want to make sure these are legit. Thanks!
From what I know, you have it backwards. The older ones had the decals under the final coat. The newer rims all have decals on top that can be removed and replaced.
I just recently replaced my 404 Firecrest decals with new decals…(Black ones, more soul.)
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so the decals are on top of the rim and are replaceable… I was thinking they were 'baked" into the rim for some reason. Cool thanks!
Yup! If you look on the zipp website they have specific instruction for replacing them (if your model has the decal on top.) Use the thumbnail test to see if they actually are.
If you want to replace them the instructions they have a good. using a hairdryer to loosen up the glue etc.
Enjoy your new (to you) wheels!!
Thanks!
Just replaced mine as well. Bballplayer, did your wheels have a shadow of the Zipp logo after you removed the decals? Looks like an adhesive stain. Anyone know if this fades over time? The logos I replaced were not of the same size so I couldn’t cover the shadow completely.
Very slightly but my new decals were the same size so I just used the discoloration as a guide for the new ones. I have a feeling that salt, oil and sunlight just get to the uncovered portions over the course of a couple thousand miles as well.
I also used acetone to clean everything thoroughly. According to zipp it won’t damage the carbon or finish.
I have a set of 2013 FC 808s and a set of 2011 404s non-firecrest/alloy rim. Both have decals on top of the carbon. If I recall correctly, it has been quite a few years, possibly predating firecrest, that the decals were “baked” on. There were complaints due to the inevitable discoloration under UV exposure and then not being able to remove them, so they stopped doing that. Anyone with discolored baked on decals is now advised just to cover them with new decals on top.
the shadow you see is not from the adhesive. the resin exposed to uv rays is changing color and the resin under the decal is not. If you notice older Zipp rims have a yellow/golden cast to them and this is resin discoloration.
I have replaced quite a few for people and even a new rim that was hanging inside the shop for about six months had the same discoloring.
Have you tried changing decals on a rim that hasn’t been exposed to UV? If so, I would assume if this were the case then there would be no discoloration in those cases.
Also, have you noticed that the discoloration disappears and blends in after exposed to UV rays?