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Touch-up paint, or leave the scars of time?

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View Poll Results: Touch-up paint, or leave the scars of time?
Match paint and touch up
31
62.00%
Touch up with clear nail polish
6
12.00%
Leave it as-is
13
26.00%
Voters: 50. You may not vote on this poll

Touch-up paint, or leave the scars of time?

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Old 11-21-18, 01:41 PM
  #26  
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Originally Posted by Giacomo 1
I think you have to tell us what the bike will be used for. Are you going for a city commuter that will be locked up to a rack or pole? If so, leave it alone, ride it, and let it rust away. It would probably takes years to turn to dust.

Aesthetics are important to me and I wouldn't ride a bike or own one in this shape. Not trying to be a snob(I hope!), its just MHO. I'd rather spend more on a decent condition frame than go through the hassles of painting, touching-up or powder coating. So that said, I would likely powder coat the frame to make it presentable.
Think you missed my notes under the photos.
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Old 11-21-18, 08:40 PM
  #27  
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Originally Posted by clasher
You could also get some gold or other colour paint and go for something along the idea of Kintsugi and not worry about having to try and match the original paint, more than likely touch-ups will stand out so might as well make it stand out
Thanks for the idea and the link!
I'm going to scratch my head for a while trying to decide how to apply this technique/philosophy to bicycles.
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Old 11-21-18, 09:16 PM
  #28  
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I voted for number 2. There are so many spots that it might look worse if you try to match the paint. I’ve done the clear nail polish before, I like that option.
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Old 11-21-18, 10:50 PM
  #29  
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Wrap it in black tape like a nyc messenger and go ride the bike🤙
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Old 11-21-18, 11:05 PM
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I'd repaint. I like the powder coat idea as well. It's just too chipped and abraded. Novel idea to cover the holes with contrast. might look pretty danged nice.
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Old 11-22-18, 12:09 AM
  #31  
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1. Powder coat for less than $150
2. Rattle can for less than $50

I don't understand the "the lug lines will be ruined if you powder coat" that I often read. You're going to the wrong powder coater if you get that.

I submit for your approval:







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Old 11-22-18, 07:09 AM
  #32  
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^ All ruined, clearly
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Old 11-22-18, 08:13 AM
  #33  
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Ugh! Hideous! I must cast my gaze elsewhere lest my vision be harmed!

Any treatment or direction you choose is the right one. At minimum you can blend the chips in with the paint and just wax the frame, and that will look great, or you can go whole hog and strip and powder, or spray bomb, or gun blueing, but in the end the bike will look cared for. An object that’s been cared for in a competent manner, or at least done with care if not competence, will nearly always look better.
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Old 11-22-18, 09:06 PM
  #34  
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Just clean and wax or whatever and ride that sucker. Heck, the chips are so evenly distributed they almost look like they belong.
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Old 11-24-18, 12:10 AM
  #35  
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Originally Posted by Giacomo 1
.

Aesthetics are important to me and I wouldn't ride a bike or own one in this shape. Not trying to be a snob(I hope!), its just MHO.
Snobby, gosh no. Gotta maintain your cred', totally dude. I mean, what will the hipsters think if I ride up on a 50 year old, hand-made classic, with gorgeous lugs and it has rust on it?
Thinkin' I'll just hack off the hanger and make it a fixie.
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Old 11-24-18, 07:58 AM
  #36  
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Originally Posted by vintagerando
Snobby, gosh no. Gotta maintain your cred', totally dude. I mean, what will the hipsters think if I ride up on a 50 year old, hand-made classic, with gorgeous lugs and it has rust on it?
Thinkin' I'll just hack off the hanger and make it a fixie.
Convenient editing of my post "dude".

But yeah, making that a fixie is a great idea dude. Should have been in your poll.
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Old 11-26-18, 03:19 PM
  #37  
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Paint is there to protect the metal from the rust, so yes paint it.
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Old 11-26-18, 03:35 PM
  #38  
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Originally Posted by gugie;20673461

1. Powder coat for less than $150
2. Rattle can for less than $50

Snip
If you don't have some good basics like a basic 3m type respirator mask, sandpaper etc rattle can easily get closer to $100. Hassle, time and mess factor is large to get a good job (for me anyway) and durability is dubious.

I don't like touch up unless I have a really good match. The team miyata I just got has non matching touchup and it looks worse that if it just had clear nail or touch up on it
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Old 11-26-18, 06:10 PM
  #39  
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Do what you like, eh? Personally I do what I can to get ‘em decent while remaining as lazy as possible. In this case I think I’d touch up and go. I mean, you already took the time to treat the rust, right? What’s another couple hours with a brush? As for presentability, to any snobs I would present the ability to kiss my arse.

That said, I reserve the right to throw all of the above out the window at any time.

Last edited by jethin; 11-26-18 at 06:20 PM.
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Old 11-26-18, 09:13 PM
  #40  
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Rustoleum Rust Reformer

Rustoleum Rust Reformer, in the 8 ounce non-aerosol container, would protect the steel and give you time to consider options:

https://www.amazon.com/Rust-Oleum-78...dp/B000BZZ56S/

One coat will neutralize the metal and stop the rust. A second application provides a protective layer and can serve as the final coat. You can paint over the result with an oil-base color to match the original.
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Old 11-26-18, 10:06 PM
  #41  
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I generally prefer to conserve a frame using Owatrol - a rust primer - to prevent further corrosion.
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Old 11-27-18, 09:35 AM
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It is a beater. Mask the threads and spray it with clear lacquer from a rattle can. $5 and some labor to prevent (ok slow down) future rust. That is what I did with my Raleigh Super course.

Last edited by pfaustus; 11-27-18 at 09:44 AM.
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