Oh no ... paint flaked off

musto_skiff
musto_skiff Posts: 394
edited December 2008 in Workshop
... I have a LeMond Zurich; cleaning it today and a patch of pain fell off ...

There was a clear sticker on the chainstay that had lifted at the front end and was catching the inner chain ring flicking on each predal rev.

So ... I carfully peeled back the clear sticker and horror of horros it brought with it a chunk of paint :cry:

So ... the bike is less than a year old; is this a warranty issue or do I just buy a black chain stay protective sticker and cover up the problem?

Also; if I go for the cover up option to I sand the edges to prevent more coming off it I have to remove that sticker at some point in the future.



In addition; there is a clear sticker on the top tube that is lifting at the edge and much is getting under that; my mate has a LeMond and his dosn't have this sticker so I am assuming it's some sort of transit protector that shop removed from his bike prior to delivery and it was left on mine; I'm too scared to peels this one off now but I will have to deal with it at some point ...

What to do?

Comments

  • Monty Dog
    Monty Dog Posts: 20,614
    I'm afraid paint isn't usually covered by warranties - this is a wear and tear issue. If you're down to the bar metal, suggest you get a small touch-up of metal primer - overlapping with the broken edges of the paint to seal them and cover over with a chainstay protector as suggested.
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..
  • musto_skiff
    musto_skiff Posts: 394
    It's a carbon frame ... I'm gutted :x
  • robbarker
    robbarker Posts: 1,367
    I hought that they were a carbon / steel hybrid? If it's on the carbon bit don't worry about it, if it's on the steel bit lightly rub down, prime and repaint with the closest match you can get.

    The only way to keep bikes looking brand new is to not ride them.
  • musto_skiff
    musto_skiff Posts: 394
    robbarker wrote:

    The only way to keep bikes looking brand new is to not ride them.

    I guess so; still annoying .... it's full carbon.
  • Monty Dog
    Monty Dog Posts: 20,614
    If it's bare carbon, clear lacquer or even clear nail varnish are fine - mainly to seal the edges. Modern paint finishes are pretty brittle IME - you can't really use 'bake' finishes on carbon.
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..
  • fossyant
    fossyant Posts: 2,549
    If removing stickers - heat them up with a hair dryer first - they will come off no problem !
  • wilwil
    wilwil Posts: 374
    When bikes are new they have clear film on the tt to protect them in transit and in the shop. They are designed to be removed after you buy the bike.
  • musto_skiff
    musto_skiff Posts: 394
    wilwil wrote:
    When bikes are new they have clear film on the tt to protect them in transit and in the shop. They are designed to be removed after you buy the bike.

    I will get the bike in doors to warm it up and then apply a little heat from a hair dryer.

    If this causes more paint to come of I will be hopping made but I have to remove this as it's lifting and a bit manky at the edge.
  • gkerr4
    gkerr4 Posts: 3,408
    you can buy carbon stickers for the chainstay protectors - it might look ok on there?

    like this for £3.79:
    http://www.evanscycles.com/products/m-p ... gn=froogle

    there are also retro leather ones, but they might not look as good..
  • musto_skiff
    musto_skiff Posts: 394
    I have ordered a few chainstay protectors and will fit the one that suits best.

    I plan to paint the patch with black enamel model paint then sand it back a bit then laqure over again ... does that sound resonable as a plan? Then fit the sticker which may not cover the whole area.

    I propose to do this before I use the bike again whilst the exposed area is still clean ...
  • k-dog
    k-dog Posts: 1,652
    Trek have a pretty good warranty on their paint - I would have thought that would cover the Lemond range too back when you got yours.

    If I remember correctly the paint and decals are covered for 1 year so it would be worth taking it back to where you got it to see what they say.
    I'm left handed, if that matters.
  • musto_skiff
    musto_skiff Posts: 394
    I'll email Trek with a photo and see what they say ...

    I suspect though if I take up that option I'll end up off the road for a while and I don't really want to do that :-(

    Edit: I brought it from Evans ...
  • musto_skiff
    musto_skiff Posts: 394
    Well I have managed to remove the top tube clear/frosted sticker; it was very well stuck on and I have to admit I was bricking it taking it off. My wife didn't understand why I was removing it given the risk of another chunck of paint coming off but I just felt compelled by some strange force ... it was lifting at the edge and going a bit manky so it had to be done ...

Categories