Best way to protect the paint/finish from spring dirt?
 

I took my bike off the trainer and went out for my first ride of the year yesterday. Nice to be out, but man, the gravel and crap on the roads is something else. I'm thinking of putting some wax or something (maybe turtle wax?) on my down tube and bottom bracket area to protect the paint from the sand and gravel that's thrown up by the front wheel. Does anyone else do something similiar and what do you use?

I think I saw a lizard skin for the downtube - maybe it was the entire frame? ;)

Other than not riding, there is not much you can do. Wax may work but I'd be real careful - check your clearcoat finish before putting any waz on it.

55/Rad

buy titanium, no paint to worry about

spring dirt? Is that different than winter, fall, and summer dirt?

Just kidding! Just face the fact your bike is eventually going to get nicked and scratched. Clean it after an especially dirty ride with a commercial road bike cleaner and wipe down. That is all you can do.

First ride of the year??? just kidding, you could always throw one of those Raceblade front fenders on, pretty terrible for water, but it should do the trick for the solid stuff on the road.

I wonder if you could find some of that clear vinyl that they make removable static-cling window stickers out of in some kind of large sheet that you could cut a rectangle out of to stick on the bottom half of the downtube. It would be strong enough to protect the paint, yet it would peel away cleanly. I have no idea where you would get it though--Maybe Home Depot sells something made out of that stuff to insulate windows.

If you really care so much...

...strips of Cling-Wrap on the lower downtube, bottom-bracket and upper top-tube(for sweat) just for the ride, remove after ride and wipe the bike down. Remember, many small pieces, not one long/huge piece that would loosen and get caught somewhere while you're riding.

A nicked up bike sounds like a good reason to go buy a new bike.... :)

That’s exactly what I have in my mtb downtube lower part, seat stay and lower part of the seat tube, I used the hell out of my mtb and only have very few chips outside the protected area, its great for protecting the paint.

The problem its very hard to find a good quality one, I don't have any left otherwise I would be happy to give it to you.

Also keep in mind I only tried on aluminum frames.

I've seen this in the Excel catalogue. I've never used it before, so I can't give a recommendation, but if it works as they say it does, this should do the trick.

http://www.excelsports.com/new.asp?p...rCode=VELOSKIN

I don't know if you can see it in the pic, but here is what I have on my mtb, this pic is for the downtube by the sprocket

http://img131.imageshack.us/img131/7219/dsc001616qo.jpg

Nice bike.

Thanks Jared88

Turtle wax does the job well. I use it on my all-weather commuter bike.

Flywolf, what product are you using? Have you tried peeling it off - does it leave a residue?

I've used some cling-wrap many years ago and it worked fine - just got tired after 1000 miles and didn't care anymore :) But if it is a made for purpose product like the 3M mentioned here I'll probably use on my newest build.

Its similar to the 3M mentioned above, but its slightly a higher industrial grade I got from a friend of mine.

That area you see in the pic gets the most beating in a mtb, you can see it really protected that area, A small piece peeled off and started collecting mud and water, I cut it off and cleaned it and no signs of any residue, I don't know if I would use it on my carbon frame though.

edit: just went and peeled off a corner, very slight residue, also its not a cling static type, its a strong adhesive type, so I wouldn’t use it on a carbon frame.

You can buy a small roll of the clear protector at your local Automotive store.

The stuff I use on my bikes and cars is called Gilla. It is a clear flim like 3M that does not yellow over time. I purchased a 6 foot roll at Canadian Tire

http://www.downloadfreetrial.com/photos/p38546.gif

http://www.gilafilms.com/Automotive/...protection.htm

Try that link above, they have a Free sample you can request, that would probably be enough for your bike ;)

Sound good to me

Thanks for the tip!

3M makes 2" wide clear polyvinyl tape.
Another trick to prevent crud from sticking is silicone dry lube spray-just don't get it on the braking areas.

Don't worry about dirt on your frame any more than you worry about your car getting dirty. Do worry about dirt getting in your drivetrain. It gets kicked up into your chain by your front wheel, and into your rear derailleur by by your back wheel. Raceblades won't necessarily cut it for the latter.