I used to be a big fixed gear cyclist, but I've recently hit hard times and am currently fighting out of homelessness. I just got this huffy mountain bike (don't laugh, use to be that I wouldn't be caught dead on a huffy, or any mountain bike) but it's what I've got right now for transportation and enjoyment of cycling. I got it ans there are some places on the frame that the paint has been scratched off, it's been stored indoors so there's no rust or anything but i will have to store it outdoors for now and im trying to figure out the best (and cheapest) way to protect those spots. I'm not gonna have this forever just for now until I can afford another trac bike.does anyone have any ideas how to protect those places?

Bumper Stickers


Hey, it's a huffy



Don't worry, I'm laughing with you

Yeah it's not like it'd hurt it. The name says it all lol. It's my transportation for me getting off the streets after alot of bad luck

Nail polish. Paint of any kind really. Stickers or tape could work as long as nothing gets underneath them.

Best of luck to you.

For small nicks, nail polish is good. And comes in most every color you might need or want. Also touch up paint from a auto parts store, or better yet a auto paint supply store. Especially if it's a larger area that needs paint. Paint from a hobby store for plastic models cars and airplanes too.

Or just not worry about it. I think nicks and scratches add character. Sometimes they are a conversation starter. If you are worried about rust, then a can of clear coat that is UV resistant.

One of the tour leaders of my Adventure Cycling tour in Vermont had a sticker on her bike that read “MY OTHER BIKE IS YOUR MOM”. For realz.

^^^ THIS. Auto touch-up paint is now super expensive for a small bottle. The drugstore that I used to frequent (family chain that got bought up and is now terrible), they had generic brand of nail polish that was $2 or $3 a bottle, a bargain. If it's more than just a couple small spots, go to Lowes or Home Depot and get a small (brush) can of Rustoleum paint, or if any rust, their Rusty Metal Primer (you'll need a flat blade screwdriver to pry off the lid, but they may have pry tools for free in the paint department, and stirring sticks). If there's a Harbor Freight near you, buy a bag of their small "acid brushes", metal tube handle with bristles just the right size, use once and discard. I found a big rust hole in the gasket channel of my car trunk, scrubbed it with Ospho and toothbrush size wirebrush until no rust, cleaned and dried, painted on several coats of rusty primer, let dry well, then covered the big hole with the Gorilla brand equivalent of that sealing tape they show on tv that tapes a boat back together. Worked great, both tape and primer holding up quite well.

What general vicinity are you located, like what corner of what state if not big city? Just wondering if local to me, I could help with some resources. Have you checked if there is a bike co-op near you? (They offer free repair guidance and assistance, used parts stock, etc.)

EDIT TO ADD: As someone with personal experience with your situation, I would suggest as a next aspirational bike, a low cost folding bike based on 20" (406) wheels, find a used one cheap and rehab it:
- When folded, fits inside tent, under bed at shelter (less conspicuous if stashed in soft bag)
- Smallest wheels able to get by without a) internal hub gear (tricky and expensive to maintain) or b) special cassette with 9 tooth high gear.
That was my intro to folding bikes. 7 speeds were adequate but had to walk up some hills. Later converted to 14 speed (2X crank), should have sooner, low enough gears for the hills here. Added racks and panniers, never went back to large wheel non-folding bikes. Also have gotten spoiled by the stepover frame. This brand has gotten expensive, but there's now tons of other brands offering the same design:

Grab a can from the paint huffers under the bridge

+1 on the mail polish suggestion. That’s what I use and it works well.

Dan

My take? Keep your bike in good mechanical condition and don't worry about cosmetics. The better it looks, the more likely it will be stolen.

I like to use the same color duct tape to cover the small imperfections.