Patching up paint chips on a carbon frame.

sarahphelps
sarahphelps Posts: 11
edited July 2013 in Workshop
I recently came off on the London to Brighton and thought my frame had escaped all damage, but annoyingly I just noticed paint has chipped off on the cable holder (not sure of it's official name!) on the downtube.

I'm new to carbon fibre frames and want to keep it in good working order. I don't want these chips to compromise the frame. So am just wondering what I should I do to prevent them becoming causing an issue? Can I/should I paint over them, and if so, what can I use?

Any help would be much appreciated.

I'll attach some photos. Not sure they're any good, as my phone doesn't have a fine focus, but at least you'll get the idea of size and location.

Thanks,
Sarah

Comments

  • alihisgreat
    alihisgreat Posts: 3,872
    I believe "cable stop" is the technical term.

    Apart from that I can't help you!
  • smoggysteve
    smoggysteve Posts: 2,909
    I have used nail varnish close as possible to the paint colour before on Alu frames. Or even just clear varnish to stop the chip flaking more. I wouldn't think it would be much different on a carbon frame.
  • slowbike
    slowbike Posts: 8,498
    SmoggySteve wrote:
    I have used nail varnish close as possible to the paint colour before on Alu frames. Or even just clear varnish to stop the chip flaking more. I wouldn't think it would be much different on a carbon frame.

    The chip doesn't look too bad - ie just surface finish damage rather than structural damage. But it is nice to have an unblemished frame. I'd check the area to ensure it's just cosmetic, then use white nail varnish to cover it up.

    [edit] Oh - IMHO - you don't really need to worry too much about additional damage on this area - you're not going to degrade the exposed carbon through exposure to air ...
  • smidsy
    smidsy Posts: 5,273
    This is where you find out how many shades of white there are, none of which seem to match the frame.

    Believe me I have been there. White is not white.
    Yellow is the new Black.
  • slowbike
    slowbike Posts: 8,498
    smidsy wrote:
    This is where you find out how many shades of white there are, none of which seem to match the frame.

    Believe me I have been there. White is not white.
    I'm a bloke ... white is white is white ...

    The OP is female (assuming by the username!) - so I guess that knowledge has already been gained through years of choosing attire that would confound the vast majority of blokes.

    To the male members wanting to colour match nail varnish to your bike - take a woman with you .... ;)
  • pholt89
    pholt89 Posts: 56
    I have repaired small chips in the lacquer of my carbon frame with clear nail varnish before but not where it has actually got through to the carbon, I just want it to look as neat as possible.
  • smidsy
    smidsy Posts: 5,273
    Slowbike wrote:
    To the male members wanting to colour match nail varnish to your bike - take a woman with you .... ;)

    That is either moderately condesending or blatantly sexist.

    Either way you are probably correct. :lol:
    Yellow is the new Black.
  • slowbike
    slowbike Posts: 8,498
    smidsy wrote:
    Slowbike wrote:
    To the male members wanting to colour match nail varnish to your bike - take a woman with you .... ;)

    That is either moderately condesending or blatantly sexist.

    Either way you are probably correct. :lol:

    Totally! :D
  • smoggysteve
    smoggysteve Posts: 2,909
    smidsy wrote:
    This is where you find out how many shades of white there are, none of which seem to match the frame.

    Believe me I have been there. White is not white.

    Tipex = all the white you will ever need
  • sarahphelps
    sarahphelps Posts: 11
    Thanks guys (assuming!). Really helpful and entertaining comments! I had read you could use nail polish after a little bit more research, so I'll definitely try that.

    I'm afraid I'd be just as poor at colour selection. I hardly paint my nails or even care for them, so I'll see how it turns out. The chips have occurred on the only section of the frame that has a gloss finish, so I'm pretty lucky in that respect, don't think you can get matt effect nail polish!

    Just curious...but do you get your girlfriends/wives/mums to buy your nail polish or do you just suck it up and buy it yourself? :)
  • smidsy
    smidsy Posts: 5,273
    I use car paint touch up pens
    Yellow is the new Black.
  • smoggysteve
    smoggysteve Posts: 2,909
    smidsy wrote:
    I use car paint touch up pens

    Who are you touching up in your car??
  • Deegs
    Deegs Posts: 74
    Slowbike- you ever tried buying white car paint? There are about 2000 whites tho if it was a crappy 2nd hand taxi you'd had to buy in a hurry after a silly accident then who cares anyway. Hypothetical situation obviously

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