Is this level of carbon bubbling acceptable ?

forward_loop
forward_loop Posts: 314
edited June 2011 in Workshop
Ok its perhaps only aesthetic laquer, the frame is 18 months old, of the less expensive variety and has done about 5000km. the thing is its seems to be slowly getting worse.

I am aware it happens on some frames but haven't seen it myself, other than on mine so have nothing to gauge it against



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photo deleted

Comments

  • Chrissz
    Chrissz Posts: 727
    Bollox to that! I'd be taking it back to the point of sale and demanding a refund/replacement! No way would I be accepting that level of bubbling/blemishing mate.
  • Buckled_Rims
    Buckled_Rims Posts: 1,648
    Don't know much about Carbon and it's lacquer, but that would irritate me no end after on 5000km. I'd expect it do that after 10 years. I'm just wondering if the lacquer is UV resistant as it seems to be on the top tube.

    Of my 2 2009 bikes, both with carbon forks I can't see any wear or bubbles.
    CAAD9
    Kona Jake the Snake
    Merlin Malt 4
  • having worked with fiberglass, which is very similar to carbon in how it's "made" (yeah I know, there are huge differences, but the basics are the same) it looks like it's just the resin, and I wouldn't worry about structural integrity on that frame.

    that being said, depending on how long ago you bought it, and where you bought it from, yeah I'd take it back and give them a nice WTF!? :P
  • it might be sweat driting on the top of the frame,ive had loads of carbon bikes and ive never seen this problem
    going downhill slowly
  • Monty Dog
    Monty Dog Posts: 20,614
    Cosmetic only IMO - purely down to poor frame prep prior to painting i.e. surface contamination. You'll need to ask Planet-X but depends on their warranty - doubt you'll have much of a case because it doesn't impact on the structural integrity of the frame
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..
  • rockmount
    rockmount Posts: 761
    Monty Dog wrote:
    poor frame prep prior to painting i.e. surface contamination.

    After 18 months ?
    .. who said that, internet forum people ?
  • sturmey
    sturmey Posts: 964
    Tell 'em you'll keep it so long as they sell you a new nanolight frame and forks for ,say, £200.

    That way you end up with two frames for not much money and they get rid of a frame they are desperate to get rid of.
  • looks cosmetic, seen similar before and even on aluminium frames with clear lacquer.

    i wont be happy though even if it doesnt effect structural intergrity
  • Lagavulin
    Lagavulin Posts: 1,688
    One of quite a few who suffered bubbling of the lacquer and yellowing of white paint on a batch of 2008 Wilier Izoard frames. Had the frame replaced. Don't see why you shouldn't receive similar treatment. :roll:
  • Velonutter
    Velonutter Posts: 2,437
    I'd be Pished off if that happened to one of my frames whatever age it is, this micro-blistering is usually down to poor prep so I'd go back to the suppliers and discuss with them.
  • giant_man
    giant_man Posts: 6,878
    As others have said, it is only the lacquer and purely cosmetic and doesn't affect the performance.

    Planet X churn 'em out and sell them cheap, simple as ....
  • Monty Dog
    Monty Dog Posts: 20,614
    The reason that it has taken so long to appear is probably environmental - it may be something in the fibre/resin matrix that has progressively leeched over time to the surface and the vapour reacted with the clear lacquer. It was unlikely to be apparent at the time of manufacture and a typical wipe-down prior to finishing wouldn't have removed anything impregnated in the fibres.
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..
  • amaferanga
    amaferanga Posts: 6,789
    Could sweat dripping onto the frame (probably through turbo use with no fan) disturb the lacquer in this way?
    More problems but still living....
  • As others have said, it is only the lacquer and purely cosmetic and doesn't affect the performance.

    Planet X churn 'em out and sell them cheap, simple as ....

    hhmm - so at what price point would you consider the frame to be worthy of replacement with this issue

    bearing in mind that i would have though a fair majority of people buy a bike on its aesthetic qualities and by extension its branding. At least in addition to its structural and geometrical qualities ?

    personally - as as been suggested I think its an environmental thing and would not have been picked up on its initial rub down. This doesn't however make it right or proper.

    PS - its not sweat - as there are areas of bubbling that sweat should never reach (rear chain stays) -and the forks - which I presume would have been manufactured seperatly are fine.

    Cheap is not necessarily achieved by the loss of quality, as i'm sure Planet X would say.
  • John.T
    John.T Posts: 3,698
    Surely you should have contacted PX before posting on here. You should still do so as no one else will replace/repair it for you.
    It does indeed look like a reaction under the laquer and is not structural.
  • John.T wrote:
    Surely you should have contacted PX before posting on here. You should still do so as no one else will replace/repair it for you.
    It does indeed look like a reaction under the laquer and is not structural.

    Hang on - I'm not being critical or accusatory of anyone, this developed over time so is in no way a criticism of the point of sale which I didn't mention in the original post for that reason. This isn't a post about customer service or a specific supplier, so I'm not sure why you felt I should have contacted the POS first. I thought the thread title was self explanatory enough

    It's my intention to drop them a note over the weekend but what I was unable to do was to gauge how bad this case is, in comparison to others experience - eg the lizard episode - and if it was likely to get worse etc i.e. be slightly more clued up on the situation than I previously was
    :)
  • Scrumple
    Scrumple Posts: 2,665
    Why have you just not asked PX straight off?

    Call them, and email the pics. You could be surprised, and this speculation is a bit of a waste of time...

    They can only say no - and then you can quibble here.
  • John.T
    John.T Posts: 3,698
    John.T wrote:
    Surely you should have contacted PX before posting on here. You should still do so as no one else will replace/repair it for you.
    It does indeed look like a reaction under the laquer and is not structural.

    Hang on - I'm not being critical or accusatory of anyone, this developed over time so is in no way a criticism of the point of sale which I didn't mention in the original post for that reason. This isn't a post about customer service or a specific supplier, so I'm not sure why you felt I should have contacted the POS first. I thought the thread title was self explanatory enough

    It's my intention to drop them a note over the weekend but what I was unable to do was to gauge how bad this case is, in comparison to others experience - eg the lizard episode - and if it was likely to get worse etc i.e. be slightly more clued up on the situation than I previously was
    :)
    I am just saying that it would have been fairer to PX (we can all see who from the photos) to have contacted them first so they can comment. There was no need to get other opinions as it should not have happened ever so is a fault. They should have been given the chance to rectify it. Look at it from their point of view now they are plastered over a largely read forum. They may not look so kindly at you now. By all means slag off poor service here but give them the chance to give service first.
  • boblo
    boblo Posts: 360
    I think you are being a bit harsh on the OP.

    He's asking if it's acceptable and has not mentioned any names. He's asked advice before contacting the supplier to make sure he's being reasonable and to ensure he has enough knowledge to proceed with seeking a solution and perhaps, to avoid being fobbed off (not suggesting anyone would do this, just hypothetically).

    Now if he'd written 'XYZ Company Produce Crap and Their Service is Shite!!' I'd expect to hear the beating of drums. He dint, he handled it as he should have. Perhaps pixeling the hame out as well would be an idea?
  • Wappygixer
    Wappygixer Posts: 1,396
    Is it 100% bubbling?
    I get a similar look on my Kuota but its actually my energy drink that solidifies on the frame from the odd splash.It takes some getting off too.
  • John.T
    John.T Posts: 3,698
    If he did feel the need for advice then he should indeed have made the frame unidentifyable. A close-up of a non badged bit of tube would have done.
    I think he already knew that something was not right so first query should have gone to the supplier. It is so easy to just over step the mark on forums.
  • matt.p22
    matt.p22 Posts: 1
    This bubbling was on my Wilier Izoard at approx 10 month old. According to the lbs it occurrs when the paint isn't given enough time to dry before the laquer is put on. They offered me an upgraded replacement frame at no cost, but I wasn't interested in going through this again, and after a bit of debate I was refunded on the frame less depreciation.

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  • pilot_pete
    pilot_pete Posts: 2,120
    My Pinarello Onda forks colour faded in less than 12 months. Evans took pictures and sent them to the importer (Yellow?) and replacement forks turned up less than two weeks later. They were fitted and the steerer cut down to the same as the original fork by Evans.

    Excellent service.

    PP