Is this a poor quality paint job ?

Reprodude · June 2007

I bought my Commencal Combi disc as my first MTB approx the first week in April 07, I've just had a reminder from my lbs to take it for its free 1st service, so i would think its still a new bike.

The problem i've got is that I'm not impressed by the quality of the paintwork ..!
OK it is a MTB and its going to get some marks & scratches I know but last weekend I needed to change a tube on the back wheel whilst out in the middle of Coniston, I had three punctures that day... thats another story, but noticed for my liking a little to much paintwork missing from the location my rear wheel sits & around that area !

I only get the chance to go out every other weekend so I've been out approx 6 or 7 time on proper full MTB'ing days out.

Please have a look at the link (if it works... its my first time ) & see what you think, is it worth complaining or is this just to be expected ?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/alansimages/

Any comments would be greatly appreciated... thanks

RD.

Stewwmb · June 2007

Doesnt look to bad, thats the problem with off roading rocks and stones fly everywhere.. You ought to see the dent i got the other week in my downtube, flicked a rock the size of half a brick up from my front wheel, made a right ding sound as well lol

In my opinion it shows that you not scared to ride it and adds to the character of the bike you will get lots more [:D]

<hr noshade size="1"><center>>Me Bike<</center><center>>What Mountain Bike Flickr Photo Group<</center>

naz-t · June 2007

id say no, im no expert but they are down to the metal! i wouldnt be best happy with that finish id defo be p@@sed

Unknown · June 2007

It doesn't matter how good the paint job is, if you scrape a cassette or brake disc over it, it's going to scratch.

I'd suggest you learn to be more careful when removing/reinstalling the wheel.

<h6>"Regrets last longer than pain"</h6>MTBscotland
North Shore Freeriders
New Pics
Old Pics

Unknown · June 2007

Have you caught the skewers on the frame getting
the wheel in and out, bit odd the nature of your
damage

But damage is just part of riding I have a fair few
stone chips too and mine is about 4 months old, just
get a touch up stick

<hr noshade size="1">
If you ain't doing your own maintenance you ain't nuthin!
<div align="left">
My Fury Pics

My Space

My Mods:RockShox Reba Team U-Turn Air, Hayes 9HFX XC Brakes,Truvativ StyloTeam GXP CrankSet
Sram X-9 Shifters,Mavic XM719 Rims,Shamano XT Hubs,Conti Speedkings 2.1 tyres,Shamano XT Cassette,Rhloff SLT99 Chain,V12 Magnisum Pedals,Thomson Elite Seatpost,Selle Italia SLR XC Gelflow sadle,Ritchey WCS Ergo Grips

 </div id="left">

Satchmo245 · June 2007

Hmmm, I suppose it depends how hard you have been riding. I have little chips in the paintwork on my bike which is also fairly new but not to the extent of yours. Have you been taking the rear wheel out alot? Or forcing it back in?

<hr noshade size="1">
Of course I'm right, I'm an Engineer!
My Trusty Steed
My Pics! Updated
 Me Blog

gary_fisher3 · June 2007

Is that all you're worried about? If they're the only scratches you've got after 6 or 7 day rides then you're doing very well.

ratty2k · June 2007

Doing well fixing a puncture in the middle of Conniston water..... are you who you claim to be? Or ahhh the name escapes me- water to wine, walking on water.....

Jebus thats it![:p]

My Pics Updated!

Reprodude · June 2007

Well thanks guys, I guess thats just what you get when your a beginner ! I do like to ride hard so perhaps the scratches, marks, dents etc just come with enjoying your style of riding and I guess the location !

The wheel hasn't been in & out a lot (perhaps twice) & with the bike being new I'm still trying to take care of it !!! I guess a touch up stick & some plastic'y pretection pads & skins are called for !

Suppose they'll be more scrathes etc to come with the more riding I do & thats just the quality of the bikes painwork... even if I am a little cheesed off as the marks are down to the metal, thinking on I will mention it to my lbs when I take it in, no harm in asking eh.

RD [:)]

"Jebus... ! in the middle of coniston water...lol"

Unknown · June 2007

I think it is a poor paint job. I have had my Enduro for 3 years and although scratched it has such a good finish that the scrathces don't penetrate all the layers of paint.The only place where you can see the frame is where I have had chain suck and the chain has chewed up the paint.

Jon Steed - the not so New Avenger

My Bike and stuff
The Bearpit
My Vid
www.moredirt.co.uk

dogthomson · June 2007

The paint job on my Gary Fisher is just as bad, the slightest thing scracthes and chips it badly.

I wouldn't worry about it, you can always get it repainted later on if need be.

*****

ashleymp777wmb · June 2007

Top tip that I think I picked up from some mag was to buy some sticky backed plastic (a'la Blue Peter style) and place it on the parts of the frame you think might get damaged whilst riding!

S-Works Carbon Hardtail:
www.pinkbike.com/photo/?op=list&functio ... rid=124988

Unknown · June 2007

My friend has the same bike as you (combi disc) and i was amazed by how much he had scratched his frame.

New Pics

My GSpot and Chameleon (now sold)

Check this out

Hole Nut · June 2007

Just looks like typical wheel taking out and putting back in agin damage. Not the paints fault!

Shut up and ride (if your not at work)

Seagull · June 2007

My Gianbt was awful for the paint being damaged easily. The best finish is anodised, its lighter and lasts longer. Many big name brands seem to offer poor quality paint jobs.

my photos NYM biking routes My full Suss My Hardtail

Stealthwmb · June 2007

My Nomad is anodised and I have any number of scuffs and scratches over it.

I gave up trying to keep it clean and shiny long ago. Unfortunately it is the downside of our sport.

Stealth

Capt. Jon · June 2007

Just cover scratches etc with a bit of leading edge tape or a carbon patch or a bit of duct tape.

TyMBR

Support the UK bike industry
If you don't like what i've posted assume there is a winking smilie next to it you simpleton ;-)

Unknown · June 2007

It really depneds what you have been doing to it. But it doesn't lok too bad [:D]

Dunk

Me
My Bike
Bored? Click a star to explor the web. Beware some don't work!!!
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Unknown · June 2007

I don't see what the big deal is, I have scratches all over my bike, shows that its been used!

______________________________________________________________

My Bike/Riding Pics

Reprodude · June 2007

Whoooaaa Guys, its no big deal, I haven't scraped any brake discs or anything as i changed a tube & as the bikes still new I'm still in trying to keep it clean mode, I havn't been forcing the wheel back in, or rushing adjustments etc....

All I've been doing is enjoying my MTB'ing as much as poss, as you mentioned it shows the bike has been used ! and I guess you could say they're my battle scars !!! ...there are several other places on the bike were small chips & scratches have gone through to the metal & as a beginner I thought the paintwork should of been a lot better ! after all its a Mountain Bike !!! & the manafactures know the bikes are going to be used in that manner ! I would of thought therefore made the compound paint/finish a little tougher ! only my opion, the bike cost me approx œ500 and I'm slightly disappointed with the finish. If I'd of spent 2K or anyone else would of would you think it exceptable for that amount of paint defect ? I dont think so. just to let you know I can scrape some paint off with my finger nails !!! now surely that cant be right ?

Anyway I've mentioned it today to my lbs & its booked in to be looked at, the guy at the shop said it could be a paint defect & obviously could only suggest having a look at it, so thats whats gona happen at the end of the month... will it stop me going out the weekend ! defo not.... will it stop me going down some rocking downhills ! defo not.

A mountain bike is ment to be riden like a Mountain bike should and thats what i intend to do... with or without a paint defect !!!! .... hey i feel much better now that I've got that of my chest...lol

RD

Unknown · June 2007

dont think there is anytrhing wrong with the paint work it just looks like the cassette or disc has hit the frame when you habe been ading or removing the rear wheel,

My GT

feel free to add me if you have got msn,

Unknown · June 2007

Forensics say that you've been abit 'ham fisted whence releasing back wheel' ya can see where the disc has scraped on the frame and where the axel / cassete has been on the other side. Nevermind, scratches kind of look cool in a weird sort of way. I had a water bottle wear away the paint on the down tube of my klien, fixed it with a nice bit of masking tape... looks kind o' artistic... to say the least!

one of my bikes Scott scale 20
Another one 2004 klein attitude xv
and finally 2006 Giant anthem2

Accreditor · June 2007

I've got a 2006 Mongoose Amasa Comp, and while the frame is well painted in terms of finish, the durability of the paint isn't that great. The paint finish is 'matt' which doesn't seem to help, it only needs a velcro strap from my bike carrier to rub a tiny bit and it's left with scratch. The paint also seems to fairly thin, so it doesn't take much to take it through to base coat.

I got my eldest daughters 'old' bike out of the garage last weekend to clean it up for my youngest daughter to use just until she's off stabilisers. Now this is a œ70 bike form Motor World (full suspension!.....) 2 years old and since eldest daughter's outgrown it it has been slung about in the garge, things dropped on it etc - when I'd cleaned it up there was hardly a mark on it. What was obvious was that it has a good thick coat of very hard clear lacquer over the colour coat and this does a great job of preventing chipping and scratches.

Just a thought, but if people have found a good colour match for their bike from the Humbrol/Revell enamel ranges, then why not post on this forum?

marika · June 2007

aaaahhhh my polished finish seems so sensible now

My puppy Local Loop

Anonymous · June 2007

Get some Helicopter Tape to protect the frame, then unless you are really rough it won't matter

<center>Nothing is more conducive to peace of mind than not having any opinions at all.</center>
<center>My Pic's & Stuff</center>

Unknown · June 2007

Not all paint is the same is it...one of my old mates is a paint scientist and that's what he tells me. Reprodude, does your paint seem particularly thin?

Last week I was out on my Malt4 and I heard a really loud sharp ping noise, a bit like a ricochet. I looked down at the time and couldn't see anything untoward. Afterwards I could only find the tiniest of marks near the seatpost clamp. Amazing that it didn't do more damage really.

Accreditor, that's a great idea re colour matching, I really like it. Car paint touch up might be better than Humbrol namel?

<center> Some Snaps </center>

Reprodude · June 2007

Yes it does seem a little thin Red Panda... as i mentioned in an earlier post I'm just a little disappointed with the finish and thought it would of been a lot tougher than what it actually is !

no probs though I'm tending to agree with the suggestions that it shows the bikes being used ! and I guess you should expect some scratches & scrapes with the kind of MTB'ing I've been doing... some very rockey and fast descents !!! just wish I'd of had some kind of pretection on the bike before taking it out, the pictures i posted show what i thought was the worst but I've got lots of little "pit" holes right down to the metal ! anyway its booked in on wednesday at the place I bought it so they gona check it out for me, guessing though the bike shops just going to say its the style of riding your doing and .... you should be more careful changing the rear tube.... aaaarrrgghh I am, oops there I go again rantting on.

RD.

Accreditor · June 2007

You're quite right Red Panda, there's paint, then there's good paint. I've just been out to look at my 15 year old son's well abused Halford's Shockwave, and again, considering the hard life (and I mean hard life) it's had, there's hardly a mark on the frame. Again, it does have a good coat of hard clear lacquer over the metallic silver.

Back to my Amasa, after a ride on Saturday I hosed the bike down and just caught the frame with the plastic hose sprayer - it put a small scratch on the frame. The paint is so thin that I can't feel the 'indent' of the scratch when I run a finger nail across it. I was never expecting the bike to be without 'dings', but I'm just taken aback at how easily the paint can be damaged considering the cost of the bike.

I've used Humbrol enamel paint with some success, I've not got a great colour match, but the enamel is very easy to work with and is cheap (less than œ1 a tin). I've found the Humbrol enamel takes about 6 hours to fully dry and it doesn't 'merge' into the surrounding 'good' paint, so if you make a mistake it is easily cleaned off with something like white spirit. You can also get matt, satin and gloss clear enamel top coats, so you only need a small amount of colour and then the scratch can be 'built up' with the appopriate type top coat. The enamel mixes well too, so I'm sure if anyone was that bothered it wouldn't be too hard to mix a couple of shades of a colour to get a good match to a bikes frame. BTW, you can also get silver, aluminium, metallic and pearlescent colurs from the Humbrol/Revell ranges. You don't need a primer for enamel on aluminium or steel, and the paint is quite durable when fully dry.

Unknown · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Seagull

The best finish is anodised, its lighter and lasts longer.

my photos NYM biking routes My full Suss My Hardtail

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Lighter!!! LMAO.

You'd save more by clipping your nails before a ride. [;)]

Having said that ano finishes do seem more durable - mine is anyway.

A tip for anyone with an anodised frame. If the little surfaces scratches bother you (they don't me) then just smear a little lube or general oil on them. They just kind of disappear

Updated pics:
Giant Anthem
Bianchi Via Nirone
Kona Lava Dome - no more :-(

Unknown · June 2007

At least one mags review of Commencals have commented on poor paintwork so it may be common among the breed.

Unknown · June 2007

Shame on Commencal! naughty manufacturer putting waffer thin el cheapo paint on their frames [:)] I wonder if they've got shares in Humbrol [;)]

Say Reprodude, I guess we all just take for granted that frames and parts will have tough finishes...maybe with your Commencal you could go a little down the 'sticky back plastic' route for key areas?

Accreditor, I really like your idea with the Humbrol paint. I 'spose the key issue would be make sure to cover scratches down to the metal as soon as poss to stop corrosion developing. Still, on reflection it's mountain biking not '***** foot round the car park biking' [:)]

Whenever I look close up at a Porsche I am usually way impressed with their paint finish...it's just mega, even with the none metallics.

<center> Some Snaps </center>

Is this a poor quality paint job ?

Comments

Categories