Classic & Vintage - Vintage Trek Paint

I have a 1985 Trek 420. It is the taupe/red color scheme. It has some minor scratches and dings that I would like to touch up. I read on vintagetrek.com that Dupont Imron paint was used for Trek's during this time. Does anyone know whether the original colors are still made and if they are, where they can be bought?

Imron's not something you're going to use at home, or find in touch-up bottles. Your best bet for touch-up paint might be nail polish from the drug or discount store. Nail polish is easy to work with, has a built-in brush, and dries quickly. The red will be easy to match, just take your frame in to the store. The taupe might be harder to match in nail polish. If you can't find it, try an auto parts store. There are a lot of cars in similar colors right now.

I have a 1985 Trek 420. It is the taupe/red color scheme. It has some minor scratches and dings that I would like to touch up. I read on vintagetrek.com that Dupont Imron paint was used for Trek's during this time. Does anyone know whether the original colors are still made and if they are, where they can be bought?


Go to an auto parts store with your frame to find a match.

I just got a taupe 1984 Trek 520 myself. I plan to use testors enamel. It will take some mixing to get the color right.

Just keep an eye out for cars that are about the same color as your bike. If you can, ride up close and compare. If you find a car with paint that's reasonably close make a note of the make and model, then go to an auto parts store and buy a 0.5 oz. bottle of DupliColor touch-up paint and give it a try.

Chances are you'll never get an exact match due to color fading and differences in paint type, but if you're patient you'll probably find a color that's close enough. A slightly darker color will look better than a slightly lighter color on chips and scratches. Also, Imron is tough stuff so you can use white polishing compound liberally to blend the touch-ups in.

Trek mixed their own colors so you'd have to find someone able to match the paint for you.

Thanks for the help guys. I forgot to mention it, but the taupe has a metallic finish. Hopefully this doesn't make it more difficult to match.

Trek mixed their own colors so you'd have to find someone able to match the paint for you. I discovered this when I sent a frame to Joe Bell for repainting. The popular Trek "Race Blue" is not a standard Dupont Imron color.