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How do you touch up a bike's paint job?

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Old 05-23-11, 07:33 PM
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How do you touch up a bike's paint job?

I've already begun accumulating them, but I suppose in a year or so my bike is going to have a good bit of scratches. A few don't bother me, but if I can fix them fairly cheaply myself, then why not?

For anyone who does custom bike paint jobs, what I'm wondering is, what type of paint goes on a bike? Is it like automotive paint, wall paint, or a special paint just for bikes? I have no clue really. And then if you look at the bike closely, it appears there is some sort of glossy layer on top of the paint. Is this separate from the paint? If it's a clear coat, what is the coat composed of?

Thanks!
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Old 05-23-11, 07:57 PM
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Originally Posted by Runner 1
I've already begun accumulating them, but I suppose in a year or so my bike is going to have a good bit of scratches. A few don't bother me, but if I can fix them fairly cheaply myself, then why not?

For anyone who does custom bike paint jobs, what I'm wondering is, what type of paint goes on a bike? Is it like automotive paint, wall paint, or a special paint just for bikes? I have no clue really. And then if you look at the bike closely, it appears there is some sort of glossy layer on top of the paint. Is this separate from the paint? If it's a clear coat, what is the coat composed of?

Thanks!
In most cases it's Enamel, usually Acrylic Enamel. In days gone by it was lacquer. But A-lass the Enviro Nazis killed that. But what a great paint it was. I prefer polyurethanes when I repaint a bike because it's durable and takes a shine like nothing you've ever seen. Other than lacquer that is . As for a clear coat, yes they all do and it's an acrylic clear. It's to seal the paint and protect the vinyl graphics used on most of today's bikes.

Hopes this Helps.
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Old 05-23-11, 09:49 PM
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I've always been told to use nail polish.

I wouldn't bother unless it's a steel bike.
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Old 05-24-11, 03:05 AM
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For little tiny scratches etc., use model paint or nail polish.
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Old 05-24-11, 05:29 AM
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Nail polish, here, too, until the girly girls stole it.

Also, don't forget those "scratch sticks" you can get al Walmart for like $5 or the other Auto parts stores for $10.
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Old 05-24-11, 06:05 AM
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Find the color code of your bikes paint and order some online from paint distributors. A 4 oz jar cost $8. You get a perfect match instead of something close with model paint or fingernail polish. If you can't find the code, go to an auto body shop and they can let you match it from their sample charts.

Last edited by StanSeven; 05-24-11 at 06:08 AM.
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Old 05-24-11, 11:12 AM
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i would shy away from nail polish myself. it is too soft and won't bond to the chip very well. clean out the ding with soap and water and use one of those automovitive paint chip pens from your local autoparts store, duplicolor is the brand and its a strong 3M automotive paint. its got a little roller ball applicator on one end and a brush on the other for filling in big spots or precision application for smaller ones. those work the best. this stuff.

https://duplicolor.com/products/scratchFix/

Last edited by pdxtex; 05-24-11 at 11:18 AM.
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