Veloria

Does anybody know whether it is possible to get authentic looking touch-up paint for a black Raleigh Roadster? I have heard that some collectors sell small batches of matched paint, but not sure where to find it. Thanks a bunch!

bobn

Perhaps an auto body repair shop that has a paint matching machine can help you out. Many up to date shops mix their own paints.

Veloria

Thanks bobn, that's a good idea! Hopefully they would find it worth their time to do that if we only need a small amount.

I could swear that I saw posts a couple of months ago about someone selling little batches of paint to match the classic Raleigh colours. Can't find anything about it now, either on the forum or on google.

sciencemonster

I bought some little Testors bottles of water soluble model paint, in either gloss or semigloss depending on what the bike looks like, and match myself. Black, some red, yellow, blue. Little dap of this, little of that, and you can match yourself. Doesn't dry right, then wipe it off after it dries with lighter fluid and try again.

wrk101

I use Testors as well but it is not water soluble. Might be a California thing...

bikerosity57

Black model paint, or touch-up paint from an autoparts store works just fine. You can also use black KiWi shoe polish to sharpen up the whole paint job. Try using it instead of regular wax when you polish the frame. You're gonna be shocked how well it works. I'm totally serious.

gna

Some appliance stores sell small bottles of touchup paint for scratches.

Black is available.

NormanF

You can get TurtleWax black car polish. It does an amazing job on scratches. I've used it to touch up
my black bikes.

sciencemonster

They do have water soluble paint. It's way easier and looks the same. Clean up is a snap, saves money on brushes.

Could be a CA thing, but I don't see what the point would be. CA can't be that big of a market that they'd sell a product just here. After the Internets, there's like three hobby shops left in the state.

House paint is limited - nothing bigger than quart cans unless it's latex. We even have water based varathane. Again, clean up is a snap.

Being a lazy home wrecker, I like the easy clean up more than i like enamel finishes...

gbalke

Testors does sell water soluble paints, they're Acrylic paints. They even sell Acrylic paint markers too.

Veloria

But how durable is this?... In my experience, water soluble = considerably less durable. No?

sciencemonster

I'm not walking on my bike, so durable isn't so much of an issue on a bike.

Besides, when it's so easy to put on and clean up you just do it again...plus, you're not screwing up a classic bike with your lame-ass touch ups...it will come right off if the next guy wants to do it right.

Oil-based enamel is fine, but it's for a professional. I'm just some guy trying to make a bike presentable. Hobby paints for the hobbyist.

Fibber

I'm working on a 1950 Raleigh Tourist right now. My favorite paint for all of my projects are the Zig Painty Pens. They are solvent based, and available in about 60 colors. Sold at AC Moore and other craft stores. The are a little too high gloss for most older bike projects, but if you buff well with a cloth after the coat dries, they tend to blend in quite well. Being fine tip paint markers, it is easy to address fine line scratches as well as broad damage. Plus, they seem to cover over fine rust quite well, so there is little surface prep required to get a decent result.