Classic & Vintage - 1974 Schwinn. Varsity sky blue touch up paint?

Another Varsity question! This has probably been asked before. I have a 74 light blue Varsity that is in great shape with original decals but has a lot of scratches on the top tube. I think someone may have mentioned model paint at one time. Any suggestions?

The color is Schwinn's "Opaque Blue"...

You might try Pete at Hyper-Formance for touch-up paint. 480-961-0643.

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d7/k4drd/Bicycles/Schwinn%20Publ%20Pages/74ccpg17b.jpg

Be careful about what you call that color. Schwinn had two blue colors around that time. Opaque Blue was a solid medium-light blue that was introduced in 1972, while Sky Blue was a medium metallic blue that was used on and off throughout the '60s and '70s. If your Varsity is a '74 then Opaque Blue would be the color as Scooper has indicated. I haven't tried it myself but I've been told you can create a fairly good match for Opaque Blue in a touch-up quantity by mixing some Testors #1110 Bright Blue into a bottle of Testors #1108 Light Blue (http://www.testors.com/category/135897/Enamel_Paints).

Most automotive paint supply places can use their paint analyzer on your bike. They can then computer match it, whip up a touch up bottle and/or put it in an aerosol can for you. Cost for the can is usually less than $9 at my local auto paint store. You'll get a very close match that way.

Good luck on it, Jeff

Be careful about what you call that color. Schwinn had two blue colors around that time. Opaque Blue was a solid medium-light blue that was introduced in 1972, while Sky Blue was a medium metallic blue that was used on and off throughout the '60s and '70s. If your Varsity is a '74 then Opaque Blue would be the color as Scooper has indicated. I haven't tried it myself but I've been told you can create a fairly good match for Opaque Blue in a touch-up quantity by mixing some Testors #1110 Bright Blue into a bottle of Testors #1108 Light Blue (http://www.testors.com/category/135897/Enamel_Paints).

What he said, with the caveat that the paint will darken somewhat with age.

Thanks. I finally bit the bullet and repainted the frame. I had the wheels off anyway. Feathering around the decals was the hardest part. Lifting the masking tape a little around the edge helped with that. Will post a pic when I get it assembled.