Chipped paintwork

Moomin Papa
Moomin Papa Posts: 44
edited March 2009 in MTB workshop & tech
Hi y'all,

I chipped a bit of my paintwork today on my bike, nothing major. I think I can just see a wee bit of frame peeking through. What's the first thing I should do to protect my frame/repair the damage?? Aside from buying a chain stay protector! I have a Commencal NUTS 2008/9 aluminium frame. :D

Thanks alot,

Moomin P

Comments

  • topsey_turvey
    topsey_turvey Posts: 420
    What's the first thing I should do

    Relax.

    This is mountain biking. All frames will get chipped and scratched. Sh1t happens.

    If it's aluminium it won't rust will it?

    Get a chainstay protector or use an old inner tube to prevent battering to the drive side chain stay, but other than that wear your scars with pride.
    Frank Yates
  • Moomin Papa
    Moomin Papa Posts: 44
    Haha true, good point.

    You know...it never occurred to me that aluminium doesn't rust? Blush...! I was thinking I might have to protect it from water getting in and slowly rusting away the inside...

    Yep, will def get a chainstay protector though. Don't have any old inner tubes at the mo so might get some helicopter tape round it.

    Cheers dude.
  • stubs
    stubs Posts: 5,001
    I am with Topsy Turvey dont bother they just show your using the bike for what its designed for.

    However if you want to cover the bare aluminium get a touch up tube of clear laquer from your nearest motor factors they have a brush inside the cap and only cost a few quid.
    Fig rolls: proof that god loves cyclists and that she wants us to do another lap
  • Moomin Papa
    Moomin Papa Posts: 44
    Sounds interesting, I would like to protect the frame from natural wear - e.g. rain getting under the paintwork rather than intentional wear (pinging it!). Not sure if it's a typo or i'm just dumb but what's a motor factor? What's this laquer originally designed for? Have you a link?? Thanks! :)
  • topsey_turvey
    topsey_turvey Posts: 420
    How will rain get under the paintwork? Unless you ping it the paint will remain intact and waterproof.

    Think you might be getting a little bit over protective. Bikes are designed to be used. If you spend all your time keeping it in showroom condition people will start talking about you!

    Put some good copter tape on the major wear points (particularly where there might be cable rub), stick a chainstay protector on and that should be enough. Your bike WILL get scratched, dirty and chipped.

    As I said earlier - relax.
    Frank Yates
  • stubs
    stubs Posts: 5,001
    Motor Factors = a shop that sells parts and accesories for cars.

    Sorry mate I am showing my age there I dont think they have been called motor factors for years :)

    Laquer is just another word for clear varnish. Its used as the top coat on metal flake paint jobs.

    I cant do any links at the moment my internet is running slower than cold treacle and searching for a site selling touch up paints would mean losing the will to live. I did use a company called www.auto-paint.co.uk a while back that might be worth a try
    Fig rolls: proof that god loves cyclists and that she wants us to do another lap
  • Moomin Papa
    Moomin Papa Posts: 44
    Hi guys, thanks for the feedback.

    Water is nature's strongest force! Never underestimate it! :D Yes, will get down the LBS and get some helicopter tape and chainstay protector this weekend, hopefully! I pobably am being a bit protective - hey I just got it and I wanna look after my new baby!!!! :oops: Thanks for the assurances though.

    Thanks for the heads up on the lacquer. Will check it out. We've got loads of car, bike and motor factor (haha new one to me - will name drop that tomorrow at work so i look retro cool!) shops round here so will also have a look round them this weekend. No worries on the links, that's a good starting point you've given me! Hey I've got a friend from St Helens, I wonder if they know the shop. Small world, huh!

    THANKS!
  • dunker
    dunker Posts: 1,456
    looks like mines been hit by a sand blaster in places, like already said they're mountain bikes :)
    Merlin Malt4,
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/7405500@N0 ... 025278584/
  • solarflash
    solarflash Posts: 102
    I chipped the paint on my forks (rock shox) just before winter, I didn't bother doing anything to them - now all the paint is flaking off. The salt has managed to get underneath the paint and it now has a bubbly surface all over. Frame doesn't seem to have the same issues though.
  • Moomin Papa
    Moomin Papa Posts: 44
    Hi solarFlash, yeah that's the kind of thing I was concerned with happening. Like when you see rust under paintwork on an old car (though appreciate it's a different metal now!)

    Did you end up doing anything to protect the rest of the fork?
  • solarflash
    solarflash Posts: 102
    No, haven't done anything to the rest of the fork, it's too far gone now to be honest.

Categories