Patman1776

Had my '08 Trek 6.5 re-painted (under warranty) over the winter because the paint was bubbling up around the cable exit hole on the top tube near the seat mast. Got the bike back, and the new clear coat has bubbles and other imperfections in it (you can feel them when you rub your hand over the tube. Almost like grit or dust), as well as some drip marks in the paint. Is this common with Trek re-paints? It's a pretty crappy paint job as far as I'm concerned on a $6,000 bike........Also, does anyone know how many times a carbon frame can be stripped down and re-painted??

xg43x

For 6k Id be alittle more concerned about the frames integrity and components that make up the bike. Sending in the frame for a repaint because of some bubbling around a cable hole is just a tad ridiculous.

roy5000x2

That should not have happened. Take pictures of where they messed up with the paint, and demand that they repaint it for free.

ivan_yulaev

For 6K, he should expect a bike that is perfect, and NOT peeling and bubbling after less than a year. OP, I think you have grounds for complaint - if you bought a car that immediately started rusting, and got a repaint that was crap, what would you think?

MONGO!

For $6k he should at least expect a finish comparable to a $200 Wal-mart bike.

Keep sending it back until they make it right.

fauxto nick

Ride.

Miller2

Contact them immediately and complain.

rankin116

For $6000 I hope you at least got a reach around!

Zen Cyclery

Trek is pretty good at those!

Keepfiring

completely unrelated to actual topic, I had a chuckle trying out various words that could be substituted for "S*#$s!!"

Patman1776

I'm a Quality Manager for a Medical Device manufacturer, so I am a bit anal when it comes to quality issues. When I spend my hard-earned $ for a quality high-end item, I expect it to be so. To me, until the paint job is marred by normal wear and tear from riding (I ride/race hard, so I have no illusions the bike will stay perfect. I do, however, take great care of my bikes.), it should be impeccable. I appreciate the aesthetics of a fine machine, as well as the wonderful performance. If I can afford it, why should I have to compromise?

I have lodged a complaint with Trek through their website, and will also address it with my LBS. We'll see what kind of response I get.

Patman1776

Hmmmm. But would it be a "QUALITY" reach around**********

BetweenRides

I've had several Trek/Lemond frames over the years. While the original paint jobs are ok, not really what I would expect for the cost. I've had two repaints and was underwhelmed with the quality - so much so that I will probably not buy one of their 'high end' frames in the future. Other than that they are very responsive on warranty issues. Your LBS should handle the fight for you, if not, it can be elevated to a regional Trek rep. Good luck.

JohnDThompson 

I disagree. For $6k, I'd expect it all to be done right.

cycle17

My old LBS where I lived before sent an OCLV back for repaint for another customer and it came back looking good. I got to see the frame & fork upon return to the shop...I would have been satisfied if it was my bike. So I say contact Trek, explain your unhappy and see where it goes...Hopefully they make it right. As an owner of of six Treks, I'm going to check back on this thread to see how things ended up. Good Luck.

Patman1776

Thanks. I currently own 3 Treks, and have owned 4 others over the years. I would expect better from them, and hope they do the right thing by a loyal customer.


'08 Madone 6.5
'05 Pilot 5.2
'05 7500FX Commuter

erik9108

Same thing happened to a crash replacement 6.9 frame that Trek sent my cousin. Trek had to send out 2 replacement frames before he got one that didn't have any defects in the paint. He was without a bike for about 2 months because of this. Trek made it right, but the frames shouldn't have left the factory with these problems.

artguywes

As most carbon fiber of high quality is autoclaved to remove trapped air with a vacuum pump and heat, an air bubble could be underlying structural issue. ie. an air pocket. Without resin carbon fiber is just fabric. You might should investigate this. Frame replacement by the manufacturer may be in order. I have some 5 years experience as an industrial painter and we used to powder coat carbon items. Not a common procedure, but the inclusions of air in an object show themselves when heat is applied to cure powder coating. The air within a pocket expands and blows a bubble in the finish. - Wes

palu

My $370 Surly frameset doesn't even have a problem with paint. For $6k bike, I'd also expect it to have paint that was perfect. I'm venturing to guess that if it's bubbling up in that one spot, there might be others that was not prepped properly (or whatever the case is) and you'll have issues. Get it fixed promptly.

Patman1776

That does not appear to be the case in this situation, as the "bubbles" I mention are only in the clearcoat, not the underlying black paint. The paint itself has some drip/run marks, but the clearcoat appears to have been sloppily applied. There are some small bubbles or maybe particulate in clearcoat.

anticlimbactic

small bubbles and particulates should have been wetsanded out between coats. small bubbles (original problem, right?) should have just had a touchup done vs. full respray.

Patman1776

The original bubbling was in the paint itself (maybe sweat getting under the paint around the cable exit hole). The exit hole is in a stupid location on the top of the top tube directly under the seatmast. My LBS told me that they've seen that on other Madones.

Patman1776

Got an e-mail response from Trek as follows:

"Thanks for writing. I'm very sorry you are having issues with the finish on your repaint. Please raise your concerns with your local dealer and we will be happy to work with them to get this resolved as expediently as possible for you. Your dealer should be your first point of contact on this however as they have all the requisite information to contact their rep here at Trek and get things straightened out for you.

Ride on,"

I spoke to the sales manager at my LBS, and he is going to bring up the issue with the TREK Rep to try and get this resolved. He agrees with me that the re-paint is crap, and echoes my sentiment that I should expect more for my money......One of the mechanics at the LBS told me that they've had lots of problems with the TREK paint jobs, even Project One's. He doesn't think another re-paint will be any better, considering his experience. The sales manager, however, wants to pursue the issue, and maybe get me a new frame. As I've purchased eight bikes from this shop, they are definitely trying to take care of me. I didn't, however, have to push them to do so. I simply stopped by on a ride, and mentioned it in conversation, and he recommended I not settle.

WCroadie

I agree, you should expect perfection for that kind of coin. Glad to hear the LBS and Trek are trying to make it right. I would ask this time that they send you a new frame, this way you won't have to be without your bike.