rsd212

I've had a fairly new bike (Ridley Crossbow, if you must know) hanging up in storage for a few months using a rubber strap. The strap is one of the black rubber straps with S-hooks on it, stamped with "EPDM" strap (available at any hardware or automotive store). Where the rubber touched the pretty blue frame I now have a yellow-ish discoloration. It doesn't feel any different and doesn't seem like a residue to the touch. Anybody seen this, or know if it can be cleaned? Have I permanently disfigured the paint on my frame? Thanks for anyone who has any clues.

desconhecido 

I forget exactly what it is about the rubber, but certain rubber will damage paint as you have seen. I had it happen to a bike as a result of rubber straps that were part of a bike rack (!). I don't think there's anything easy you can do to repair it. Get some polishing compound, which is a very fine abrasive, and very gently apply to a discolored area that will not show. See if you can remove the discolored paint without removing too much. I believe that removing the paint abrasively is the only fix.

1NatsFan

Don't think of it as permanently disfiguring your frame. Think of it as adding character to it.

tsl

Oh man, now you've done it. That means "Especially Permanent Disfiguring Material". Nasty stuff.

Velo Dog

Yeah. Once you learn to do this, seeing a pristine, unscarred, perfectly cleaned and polished bike is sort of sad. Every scuff and scratch holds a memory, even if it's only, "How come I was dumb enough to hang this thing with a rubber strap?"

CCrew

Sounds good in theory. How come I can't make it happen every time I see the scuff in the top tube of my cross bike? LOL

rsd212

I wouldn't mind the discoloration except for the fact that I am looking to sell it...I dont use the bike to its full potential, and want such a nice cross bike to go to someone who WILL put some well-deserved scuffs on it.