frantik

How durable is nail polish for frame touch up jobs? Is there something better? Maybe like model paint or something? Nail polish comes in so many colors though so it seems like it might be useful if it can last.

any tips for using it? I guess there is a special kind of primer for it? I'd clear coat it too as well (nail polish clear coat), and use rubbing compound to smooth it out

If you have used nail polish or other kinds of paint to do minor touch up your bike, please post some pics

mike

Good question. I never tried finger nail polish for bicycle or automobile paint touch up. On thing is for sure; nearly anything is better than doing nothing.

For old bikes with difficult to find paint colors, I use a model paint kit that contains a good variety of colors. I mix my own paint to match the paint on the bicycle. It works OK.

For newer bicycles, I try to find a touch-up color that matches from an automobile parts store.

If you ever do a re-paint, be sure to get a small bottle of touch up that matches the spray paint you buy.

randyjawa 

Good advice. You can also take your bicycle to an automotive paint store and they will computer match the color of your bike for you. The service and paint is a bit pricey, though.

melonbar123

I don't have any pictures at the moment but I used cheap nail-polish ($1 at Walgreens) and put some on my aluminum stem from sheer boredom. I let it completely dry and tried to remove it by scratching it. It wouldn't go away. I didn't use primer or anything. I ended up using acetone. That nail polish was strong...

Henry III

I use nail polish as a touch up paint and that stuff is tough as nails. Afterwards I went over the frame with scratch remover and was expecting the polish to come right off. No dice and most come with decent gloss so no clearcoat is needed. For a buck you can't beat it.

rootboy 

I could post pics of a recent touch up I did, but I don't think you'd be able to see it. Not that I did such a great job. I didn't. Just nearly impossible to photograph well. My vote is for model enamels.

frantik

cool well i'll try some nail polish and if that doesn't work i'll go for model paint.

autonoz

I use fingernail polish for small touch ups when I can not find model paint that matches, which is usually the case. There are so many fingernail polish colors to choose from that I can usually find something to match.

vonfilm 

How do you match with fingernail polish? Do you take your bike/frame in the Walgreens? Do you purchase 3 close shades to insure you get just the right one? Does fingernail polish come in white or silver?

Kobe 

If the bike is apart take your fork with you. If not, take a picture and make sure it matches your bike. You would not believe how many blues and red there are in nail polish.

frantik

yeah i considered bringing my frame to walgreens the color i need isn't even on the fork so that good suggestion won't work for me

if it's really only a dollar per bottle i'd just get a few that look close.. but yeah there are tons of colors.

maybe a compromise solution would be to take the frame in the car, buy some colors that look close, compare to the frame in the parking lot and return any which look like they won't match

i'm pretty sure it comes in every color.. i'm hoping there are multiple shades of white i can choose from

Veloria

I know that some use nailpolish for touch-ups out of economy and convenience, but I do not recommend it. Nailpolish yellows after exposure to the sun, and the colour that seemed to match your frame so well initially will look like a bad touch-up job in a month's time. This even happens with black nailpolish. Quality touch-up paint from an automotive store is a much better idea.

:andrew

I have used Testors model paint on several bikes and it came out really good.

frantik

this is why i asked.. thanks!

though my white paint has yellowed already so maybe i need to get something that doesn't match and then allow it to fade

frantik

apparently they make "sunscreen for nail polish" https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/ar...-sunshine.html (with semi-NSFW image.. it's a beauty site)

Pompiere

I followed the expert advice of my teenaged daughter. I didn't even have the bike at the store. The color matches so well, the only thing you can see is the ridge around the chip. From 5 feet away, you really have to look to find the repairs.

cycleheimer

I have used red nail polish. It has worked out well. That bike only sees "sunny" days, however, and I use non-abrasive cleaners and waxes on it. Was able to get a close match, and I didn't have to go searching too far for it...came out of a cosmetics set I bought for the little lady. She is pretty understanding, and didn't like the color anyway. I have also used Testors model paint for touch-ups...had it onhand from another hobby.

StanSeven

If you know what color you want, buy auto paint from an online supplier. I got a 4 oz bottle for something like $6.

eddubal

Interesting... The nail polish touch-up job I did on my red bike 20 years ago didn't fade or yellow any more than the rest of my bike did over the years. I'd forgotten about it until I did a full rehab earlier this year.

frantik

well i tried it out but walgreens didnt have a big selection of white.. if the color was an exact match maybe it would look ok but since it doesn't match it doesn't look good at all. The places with bare metal exposed look better with the rust removed and then just a layer of clear nail polish

jr59

This site kills me. I mean really makes me laugh!!

Guys talking about shaving their legs and now nail polish?

zandoval 

Hey - Don't forget nail polish makes good Locktight Threadlocker juice...

Of course orange finger nails go better with my orange UNIVEGA and my new spandex bike shorts...

vettefrc2000

Don't use nail polish. Go to a well stocked auto parts store and you will be able to find a durable paint that will match your bike.

frantik

What makes me laugh are guys who are insecure about their sexuality and thus overcompensate by acting overly macho

eddubal

It's always fun to go into the nail polish aisle and ask the closest person in a gravelly voice if a certain color goes with the bike frame in your hands.