Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Clear tape to protect paint job??

So i just got my new bike (a red cinelli olympic)...its beautiful, I'm psyched. But i heard the paint job sucks and chips like crazy. I'm not too worried, but someone told me there is a type of clear tape that you can put on the bike that will keep the coat chip free. Anyone heard of this who could give me a name? or a place to purchase it? I figured its totally worth researching my options. Thanks in advance.....

You want 3M paint protection film. I can't recommend any specific retailers, but there are a lot of them, selling it for automotive use.

http://products3.3m.com/catalog/us/en001/auto_marine_aero/automotive_aftermarket/node_GSYWQBNVHBbe/root_GST1T4S9TCgv/vroot_GSLPLPKL4Xge/gvel_PKD7VS0CHGgl/theme_us_aad_3_0/command_AbcPageHandler/output_html

peace,
sam

Is this what you're looking for?

[smart a$$=me]

3M Scotchcal.
Excel Sports www.excelsports.com has a kit called "VELOSKIN" that is pre-cut scotchcal or you can just go to your local pro-paint supply store and they probably have it there cheaper.

I dont know if this link works:

http://www.excelsports.com/new.asp?page=8&major=6&minor=8&description=Frame+Protector&vendorCode=VELOSKIN

Yes. Yes it does.

Perhaps clear coating the bike would help. It worked on some vintage bikes of mine that had weak paint. I also thereafter used some protective spray like pedro's bike lust. I really hate it when my paint gets F'd up, but I would never think of putting tape on my bike because I feel it would F up my paint and decals when I took it off.

edit: never heard of that 3m stuff, maybe it is ok, but im still weary

Getting your frame coated with a solid clearcoat is going to be better than any tape. Also, clear tape would more than likely be hideous on close inspection.

yeah thanks..i was gonna ask what the draw backs would be next. I heard that it looks a little weird on close inspection. Just figured i'd ask. Can i do a clear coat myself? i mean..i'm no picasso, but maybe....

Given that you live in NYC, there are countless auto places and real bike frame painters that could do a nice pro job for you. You've got a $900 frame, why cheap out on a clear coat?

m.

You can do clearcoats at home, but you can't do clearcoats that would rival the 3M film at home.

The film really does look good up close if its well applied. Its not a 'tape' like packing tape, its a very clear film that doesn't damage paint or decals since it was designed for this purpose. When it gets damaged, you peel it off, and reapply it, unlike paint (or even a clearcoat) which, once damaged, is damaged forever.

Clearcoat will cost more, and will offer less protection, but it will probably look a touch cleaner. Its up to you, now. ;)

peace,
sam

or you could just ride the bike as it is. Nothing lasts forever. No matter what. I like fixedfiend's approach to riding a 'nice bike' in the street.

If the bike means that much to you, maybe you should just hang it about the hearth and tell stories about its glory days back in the shipping box.

Ride it. Free it. Chip it. I would never make a kid were knee pads and elbow pads just to walk to the park. Let some character build on the bike through use. You will never ride the bike to its fullest potential if you worry too much about the paint chipping. I felt the same way when I got my baby-frame, but soon realized that no matter if it is a $275 on sale Surly frame or a custom $1500 frame - they should both be ridden the same. Hard. To the limits. With passion, not vain concerns.
A perfect paint job to me says "I love my bike so much, I baby it and won't let it flex its muscles" - push that steed so hard it makes you burn.

Not a personal jab RandyDCR - just some spare change.

']or you could just ride the bike as it is. Nothing lasts forever. No matter what. I like fixedfiend's approach to riding a 'nice bike' in the street.

Aesthetics are personal. What someone considers "character" is personal. Liking something the way it looks out of the box and wanting to keep it looking like that doesn't necessarily equate to not riding it hard.

How is taking pride in your bike's chips and bruises any less vain than taking pride in a gleaming new finish? Are stories about that time your frame got chipped on a parking meter any less ridiculous sounding than stories "its glory days back in the shipping box"?

It's what you do with it, not how it looks. I figure that goes both ways.

I guess that's just some more spare change.

m.

there is no pride in my statement, only the fact that I like to see bikes used. there are stories to be told by the frame. I like to hear them. the combinations are endless, you are right.
the cinelli sounds like it will see some street time. good. let it breathe. trying to keep chips and scratches off a frame ridden on a street, esp in NYC, is completely fruitless. the more obsessive one becomes about this, the less likely this person might be to ride the bike. and to posess a bike merely to say you posess it - well, that is the closest thing to a sin that I know of. this too, is a personal statement mcatano. what is right for me is rarely right for others. I have seen a few good bikes just sitting in a garage b/c they are 'too nice to ride.' contrary to purpose. like i said, closest thing to a sin in my book.
as far as what you do with it, yes - of course! Spot-on. I spoke to that.
change taken and understood. thanks!

'] and to posess a bike merely to say you posess it - well, that is the closest thing to a sin that I know of. this too, is a personal statement mcatano. what is right for me is rarely right for others.

Oh, I'm with you 100%. Man alive, you should see my bike. Sung to the tune of "fat guy in a little coat": red bike with a purple fork.... Not to mention the big ol' weld holding the bb shell together.

Trying to keep a bike fresh is definitely a losing battle, but I salute those fighting it.

If this thread was about someone worried about the colour rubbing off their team-striped tires, my opinion would be a lot different.

m.

Just put some of that fancy tape on high stress areas (where you lock up or lean the bike or whatever) and stop listening to these bleeding heart bike crazies... I think they have some kind of an agenda

I think taking a few reasonable steps to protect the finish on the bike is fine. I mean, if finish didn't matter at all, why paint any bike in the first place? The stick-on stuff is cheap and easy to use, and very effective. If thats what you need to do in order to feel comfortable riding it in the street, then its a worthy expense.

Fear not, 165, I'm 100% against garage queens, but I'm OK with trying to keep something looking nice, and protecting it from the elements. It'll still get scratched and chipped, just slower, and thats fine. It happens in the offroad motorcycle world all the time. Someone buys a brand new bike, doesn't want to chip the paint, and won't take it offroad. But if they can calm their fears by applying a paint protection film, then it lets them open up, and take some risks they wouldn't have taken before. If the end result is 'more riding', then I support it.

peace,
sam

hah, yeah....i'm glad this discussion went so far and there is definitely alot to consider in everyone's response, but honestly, i was just looking for a practical way to preserve it for as long as NYC will let me...i had heard about this stuff and was wondering about it. You guys make awesome points and the answer as usual is probably somewhere in the middle....no reason not to take care of it, no reason to fret over every nick and chip. Seriously though, i appreciate the help.

Try nail polish touch up as recommed from many paint shop.... first apply the colour of your bike then use nail polish clear coat over it..... Or ask any lady to show you how to do it..
I just found funky pearl yellow nail polish at wallgreen for my yellow olympic.. work great just to stop the paint crack even more, but won't be the perfect touch up.
Keep us posted with the 3M stuff if you ever gonna do it....

Cheers.