AR2 Performance - RACEshield

Bike ● Body ● Soul

FAQ ● The most commonly asked questions...

00. "Is RACEshield local? Who are you guys?"

RACEshield is our own branding, utilizing USA made, high quality aliphatic thermoplastic urethane for all its kits & protection, now made available locally through AR2 PERFORMANCE. Urethane film originated from helicopter blade protection, spreading worldwide & is now widely used in the US and UK domestic market. It has also evolved as a common shield for expensive motorcycles, bicycle frames & other components today.

We have started of as MTB cyclists since 1995 where SICC trail, Rifle Range trail, Bukit Timah trail, Clementi BB trail are (some were) very familiar to many of you till date. As an experienced cyclist back then in the 90s till today, we have experienced the pain-staking issues on our beloved MTBs. Chipping/pittings from debris, scratches on our spanking rides from riding & handling.

With the adrenaline rush experienced & gained from MTB, one will naturally "migrate" to the world of action packed 2 wheel motorsports - motorcycles. So did we somewhere in 2002! Riding as hard as we can, from fast paced B-roads, long haul nation tours, Pasir Gudang Circuit & Sepang F1 Circuit track-days to North-South Highway high speed rides. We have experienced the very same issues with all our 2 wheelers all these years. Chipping/pittings from debris, scratches on our spanking rides from riding & handling.

We are extremely not very happy with what mother nature can throw us at (& our common mistake in actions) to spoil our expensive 2 wheelers.

In February 2007 we incorporated RACEshield, to resolve all the issues faced from our motorcycle riding. Our main concern is all due to our relentless years of pursuit to keep spanking new items brand new --- & so will yours! And we ride as harder as ever!

Even though bulk of our time is spent riding motorcycles, the "other" moments are saved for our "not to forgotten hobby" -> Bicycling!!

In October 2008, we have eventually branched out RACEshield from motorcycles to bicycles (MTB, Roadies, Leisure). Featuring various kits for frames, cable rubs, cranks & forks. No more chipping/pittings from debris, scratches on our spanking new bikes from riding & handling.

01. "Why RACEshield is a must?"

This picture answers it all. What is underneath those "stuffs" is not something you want.

02. "Is RACEshield made of just normal stickers."

No, RACEshield is NOT like any normal stickers. The normal single colored stickers you can purchase (i.e oracle) are made of normal vinyl material. They only provide aesthetic benefits when cut to a desired shape/pattern, but do not exhibit high/strong abrasion or puncture resistance. Try using a key to poke the normal stickers and you will realize it will not perform like RACEshield.

CAN YOUR NORMAL STICKER DO THIS?

RACEshield is made of 100% apliphatic thermoplastic urethane. Urethane itself in the family of plastics, exhibits high abrasion resistance in nature compared to vinyls in the plastics industry, and is widely used in bushings etc.

03. "Is RACEshield transparent or does it come in colours?"

RACEshield only comes in transparent and there are no other color variants available. Its material is designed to be optically clear (transparent) so that it does not affect your beautiful frame / components aesthetics --- Virtually invisible !!

04. "How strong is RACEshield?"

RACEshield have under gone and passed the gravelometer standard test in the automotive industry (A box enclosed filled with gravel, and is pneumatically thrown onto the test piece). The technical specs of what RACEshield are :-

1. Puncture Resistance (ASTM D-1000) = 18kg
2. Tensile Strength (PSTC-31) = 56 lb/in width (253 N/2.5 cm)
3. Shear Strength (PSTC-7) = 2.2 psi indefinite (15.2 kPa)

What these translates to is RACEshield will be able to take on damage from almost any sized material on the road or trail, that can PICKED up by the tires of the bicycle in front onto yours, or even by your own tires.

06. "After installation of RACEshield, do I need to take any special care or maintenance?"

No. Once adhered to the RECOMMENDED "care period" (http://ar2performance.com/bicycle/kits/manual.htm), you only need to take care of it like how you would to your bicycle! You can use your favourite wash or wax onto your bicycle as if RACEshield were not present. In fact, we suggest you do wax the RACEshield protective layer just the same as the rest of your bicycle.

08. "If I sell my bicycle, can RACEshield be removed?"

Yes. RACEshield uses a patented acrylic adhesive, which can be safely removed without much residue, leaving your bicycle & your expensive components looking as great as the day you bought it!

We frequently remove competitor’s film to replace it with RACEshield during our testings and it frequently takes longer to remove the glue residue their films leave behind than the film itself. Not a job we love to do, & neither would you!