Death by a thousand chips
 

Looking for the best course of action with regards to an old (1986) Japanese boom bike with a decent frame (that fits me) that has lots of little chips and dings. Some representative pictures:

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=289593http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=289594http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=289595http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=289596http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=289597

I don't really ride in the rain as a habit. And the bike is stored indoors.

I like the general "old" look of the bike. And I can't really afford to spend much (which was why I bought a 25 year old bike off of craigslist in the first place).

I see my otions as:

1.) Do nothing
2.) Clean out the spots that show bear metal, and cover with something clear (clear nail polish???)
3.) Clean up and touch up with something that matches the color (nail polish, model paint, auto touch up paint)

Advice and guidance greatly appreciated.

Any of the above! It's not bad 'as is', so you could leave it - or seal over the bare metal with clear nail varnish. If you can find paint or nail varnish that's a close match then I'd just fill the chips with a tiny modeller's paint brush. Doesn't need to be perfect if you can't see the marks from 6 feet away it's fine in my opinion. YMMV!

ejapplegate, What's your budget? If this isn't something rare, I'd have the frame bead blasted, primered, bondo the dents and repaint. You can have decals made, just check with the printing shops in your area.

Brad

You may be able to get a good match with auto touch up paint. You can get it in little bottle with a brush in the cap, which makes touch up easy.

WRT to budget, I can't see spending more that $20-$30 on fixing up the paint. It is not really rare in the collectable sense. Azuki was a sister brand to Nishiki (created for marketing purposes). I believe that this model, the Imperial, was towards the top end of their line (based on an old catalog scan I found on-line). But again, I can't see putting too much money or effort in. Just enough to keep me happy and smiling while riding it.

It doesn't look all that bad from where I sit.
I would consider a fourth alternative: Clean and wax it.

IMO: 1 clean frame
2 treat any rust
3 touch up with testors paint
4 wax
5 build it
6 ride it


Enjoy the winter project ! Let us know how it turns out.

I ride most of my bikes in the rain, they all have chips and dings, and I haven't had a problem with rust yet. Just ride, you'll be fine.

That looks like a really easy color to match-- just remember to polish off the oxidized paint so you're matching the actual paint color, not the weathered layer. If you want to do a really nice job, fill in the chips that are all the way down to the metal with Bondo, let dry, sand lightly and paint over them. Take your time and start in an out-of-the location to perfect your technique before you move on to the more visible areas. Do a good job, and you'd have to be looking at it just right in strong sunlight to notice anything.

Suggestions for a suitable wax? Obviously I can swing by my LBS and pick up something off the shelf. Any other options, perhaps from an auto parts shop?

+1

Buy at the lbs if you want to pay a lot more than auto parts where you'll find Turtle Wax, Mothers, etc., any wax will do really. Even Lemon Pledge is used by a lot of cyclists that often wash/wax their bikes. Hot tip, whatever you buy keep it off the rims/brake pads. :)

+1 to any of the suggestions above, including just keep it as-is but dry. I like the crinkle finish on the lettering. It looks experienced.

I've got a million year old can of Simoniz I use when I put a bike together for the first time. All of the aluminum gets Mothers polish, and any part that doesn't move gets Simoniz. Ford-spec wheel bearing grease for the bearings, and transmission fluid for anything that needs oiled, except for the chain.

Cool frame! I've ridden a lot chippier, if it makes you feel any better. A LOT chippier...

I'll second that! Most of my bikes have significant signs of use and I'm perfectly content to ride them as long as the rust is kept in check. bradtx gives good advice regarding the body filler for touchup work, my quickie touchups are made conspicuous by the differing level of the paint.

Yeah, I like the way the look of the frame matches the engine. A "crinkle finish", I've got to remember that phrase.