Paint Protectant for Bikes
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Paint Protectant for Bikes
I'm surprised there's not a paint protectant, sealant or wax specifically designed for bicycles to protect from UV rays (first and foremost), dirt, grime, etc...
We have Bike Lust, but from what I gather it doesn't protect from UV. It's also silicone based, which I don't particularly care for. There are a few others from Finish Line and Pro Gold, but who knows which may be best?
Conventional wisdom would suggest that a company that has vast experience in this area such as Meguire's, HD or Mother's would be the way to go. After all, if it's good enough for a $300,000 Ferrari ...why not a bike frame? Unless... car paint clear coats are much tougher than those that Trek, Specialized or Giant might provide. Could car wax, sealants and protectants be too strong for bikes, and do more harm than good?
We have Bike Lust, but from what I gather it doesn't protect from UV. It's also silicone based, which I don't particularly care for. There are a few others from Finish Line and Pro Gold, but who knows which may be best?
Conventional wisdom would suggest that a company that has vast experience in this area such as Meguire's, HD or Mother's would be the way to go. After all, if it's good enough for a $300,000 Ferrari ...why not a bike frame? Unless... car paint clear coats are much tougher than those that Trek, Specialized or Giant might provide. Could car wax, sealants and protectants be too strong for bikes, and do more harm than good?
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 8,550
Bikes: Wilier Izoard XP (Record);Cinelli Xperience (Force);Specialized Allez (Rival);Bianchi Via Nirone 7 (Centaur); Colnago AC-R Disc;Colnago V1r Limited Edition;De Rosa King 3 Limited(Force 22);DeRosa Merak(Red):Pinarello Dogma 65.1 Hydro(Di2)
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 551 Post(s)
Liked 277 Times
in
145 Posts
Too much had wringing over bike paint. Get the wax you want and use it. Where do you keep your bikes ? And what harm do you believe these waxes will do?
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 7,891
Mentioned: 38 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6973 Post(s)
Liked 10,975 Times
in
4,695 Posts
It's a bike, not the Mona Lisa. If you're using it correctly, it will develop some patina.
If scratches really bug you, buy some touch-up paint. Testor's model paint is fine, as is nail polish in an appropriate hue.
If scratches really bug you, buy some touch-up paint. Testor's model paint is fine, as is nail polish in an appropriate hue.
Likes For Koyote:
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 39,257
Mentioned: 211 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18424 Post(s)
Liked 15,582 Times
in
7,337 Posts
I'm surprised there's not a paint protectant, sealant or wax specifically designed for bicycles to protect from UV rays (first and foremost), dirt, grime, etc...
We have Bike Lust, but from what I gather it doesn't protect from UV. It's also silicone based, which I don't particularly care for. There are a few others from Finish Line and Pro Gold, but who knows which may be best?
We have Bike Lust, but from what I gather it doesn't protect from UV. It's also silicone based, which I don't particularly care for. There are a few others from Finish Line and Pro Gold, but who knows which may be best?
#5
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Not really, as UV protection was what I was eluding to, and the bike specific products mentioned apparently doesn't protect from that. But, I suppose I should've also said "I'm surprised there's not a big brand name paint protectant, sealant or wax specifically designed for bicycles to protect from UV rays (first and foremost), dirt, grime, etc..."
And by big brand name, I'm speaking of the Meguire's, HD, etc... Companies that know what they're doing.
With the price tag on bicycles these days, you'd think there would be a market for it now.
And by big brand name, I'm speaking of the Meguire's, HD, etc... Companies that know what they're doing.
With the price tag on bicycles these days, you'd think there would be a market for it now.
Last edited by one4smoke; 10-08-19 at 08:50 AM.
#6
Been Around Awhile
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Burlington Iowa
Posts: 29,978
Bikes: Vaterland and Ragazzi
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 12 Post(s)
Liked 1,538 Times
in
1,047 Posts
Likes For I-Like-To-Bike:
#7
Senior Member
Mobile repair vans for bicycles are a thing, why not wax/detail services too? Maybe a little extra to touch up lettering on your tires tho...
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 7,891
Mentioned: 38 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6973 Post(s)
Liked 10,975 Times
in
4,695 Posts
I can't recall ever seeing faded paint on a bike...Is this a big problem?
Ditto for the concern about dirt. On my bikes, it generally washes right off with soapy water.
Ditto for the concern about dirt. On my bikes, it generally washes right off with soapy water.
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: northern Deep South
Posts: 8,904
Bikes: Fuji Touring, Novara Randonee
Mentioned: 36 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2604 Post(s)
Liked 1,933 Times
in
1,213 Posts
My wife's car needs a new paint job after about a dozen years sitting outside in all weather. My oldest bike, about the same vintage, is protected at least half the time (inside a shed or garage). The bike's enamel paint has suffered more from dings and rubbing against fenceposts, light poles, benches, etc. than it has from the sun. If it were powder coated, it'd look much better.
But how many people will keep one bike for 12 years or more? To read these fora you'd think you needed to look for dinosaur eggs to find 9-speed parts that were state of the art that long ago.
#11
Zip tie Karen
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Fair Oaks Ranch, TX
Posts: 7,004
Bikes: '13 Motobecane Fantom29 HT, '16 Motobecane Turino Pro Disc, '18 Velobuild VB-R-022, '21 Tsunami SNM-100
Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1465 Post(s)
Liked 1,542 Times
in
806 Posts
Do I care? No. Is it a big problem? It would be on a $150,000 sports car. On my bike? Nope.
I have restored several older bikes (most notably a yellow '72 Fuji Special Road Racer) where the fading made paint matching the chips an ordeal. I had to mix various amounts of white and yellow to match the gradations of color fade as I touched it up. It came out okay, but it became involved.
#14
Senior Member
Thread Starter
There is........https://www.bicyclearmor.com
That's about the equivalent of a second clear coat, or more. Looks like you really need to be qualified to apply it.
Far cry from ...Pledge.
#15
Senior Member
I use turtle wax T-96r protectant. Been using for years and it is fantastic. Nice shine on the paint and leaves a UV protectant. Also makes washing the bike a breeze (Prevents dirt and grime from getting a good grip on the paint)
It's great for shining up the tires, metal, all the black shimano components. If you like a nice slippery leather seat it will do the job there as well. It's great for a quick wipe down of the bike before heading out on a group ride.
If they come out with a specific "Bike Spray" it will be this or something similar with a different label.
It's great for shining up the tires, metal, all the black shimano components. If you like a nice slippery leather seat it will do the job there as well. It's great for a quick wipe down of the bike before heading out on a group ride.
If they come out with a specific "Bike Spray" it will be this or something similar with a different label.
#16
Banned
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Mississauga/Toronto, Ontario canada
Posts: 8,721
Bikes: I have 3 singlespeed/fixed gear bikes
Mentioned: 30 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4227 Post(s)
Liked 2,488 Times
in
1,286 Posts
Bubble wrap it and don't ride it.
Likes For wolfchild:
#17
On Your Left
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Long Island, New York, USA
Posts: 8,373
Bikes: Trek Emonda SLR, Sram eTap, Zipp 303
Mentioned: 34 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3004 Post(s)
Liked 2,434 Times
in
1,187 Posts
When you clean your frame, it will remove any wax.
Clean it, rider it... repeat.
This reminds me of the guys that lease Corvettes who go to cruise nights and spend the time dusting their car. They then turn them in after 2 years with only a few thousand miles.. Personally, if all I wanted to do was impress people, i'd get get huge implants for my wife. They'd last longer and are much more fun to wax.
Clean it, rider it... repeat.
This reminds me of the guys that lease Corvettes who go to cruise nights and spend the time dusting their car. They then turn them in after 2 years with only a few thousand miles.. Personally, if all I wanted to do was impress people, i'd get get huge implants for my wife. They'd last longer and are much more fun to wax.
Likes For GlennR:
Likes For coopman:
#19
SE Wis
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Milwaukee, WI
Posts: 10,517
Bikes: '68 Raleigh Sprite, '02 Raleigh C500, '84 Raleigh Gran Prix, '91 Trek 400, 2013 Novara Randonee, 1990 Trek 970
Mentioned: 40 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2747 Post(s)
Liked 3,401 Times
in
2,058 Posts
#20
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Geez, you guys can sure make a mountain out of a mole hill...
I just want a decent paint sealant to protect my bike paint from UV rays, dirt and grime! Yeah, who doesn't like their bike to look good, but my concern is to preserve my $5,000 investment to the best of my ability for a while. Maybe some of you don't give a rat's azz and just ride one until the wheels fall of ...then simply buy another. I don't know.
You boys sure can be absolute jerks sometimes.
I just want a decent paint sealant to protect my bike paint from UV rays, dirt and grime! Yeah, who doesn't like their bike to look good, but my concern is to preserve my $5,000 investment to the best of my ability for a while. Maybe some of you don't give a rat's azz and just ride one until the wheels fall of ...then simply buy another. I don't know.
You boys sure can be absolute jerks sometimes.
#21
Senior Member
Thread Starter
I use turtle wax T-96r protectant. Been using for years and it is fantastic. Nice shine on the paint and leaves a UV protectant. Also makes washing the bike a breeze (Prevents dirt and grime from getting a good grip on the paint)
It's great for shining up the tires, metal, all the black shimano components. If you like a nice slippery leather seat it will do the job there as well. It's great for a quick wipe down of the bike before heading out on a group ride.
If they come out with a specific "Bike Spray" it will be this or something similar with a different label.
It's great for shining up the tires, metal, all the black shimano components. If you like a nice slippery leather seat it will do the job there as well. It's great for a quick wipe down of the bike before heading out on a group ride.
If they come out with a specific "Bike Spray" it will be this or something similar with a different label.
#22
Been Around Awhile
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Burlington Iowa
Posts: 29,978
Bikes: Vaterland and Ragazzi
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 12 Post(s)
Liked 1,538 Times
in
1,047 Posts
Geez, you guys can sure make a mountain out of a mole hill...
I just want a decent paint sealant to protect my bike paint from UV rays, dirt and grime! Yeah, who doesn't like their bike to look good, but my concern is to preserve my $5,000 investment to the best of my ability for a while. Maybe some of you don't give a rat's azz and just ride one until the wheels fall of ...then simply buy another. I don't know.
You boys sure can be absolute jerks sometimes.
I just want a decent paint sealant to protect my bike paint from UV rays, dirt and grime! Yeah, who doesn't like their bike to look good, but my concern is to preserve my $5,000 investment to the best of my ability for a while. Maybe some of you don't give a rat's azz and just ride one until the wheels fall of ...then simply buy another. I don't know.
You boys sure can be absolute jerks sometimes.
Likes For I-Like-To-Bike:
#23
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Perhaps some of us boys consider a bicycle as something to enjoy by riding it rather than thinking of it as an "investment" that needs to be protected from loss in $ value. A better "investment" for your $5000 to avoid depreciation would have been to stuff it under your mattress; sunlight, ozone or rain wouldn't cause that $5000 "investment" to lose its shine.
Let me 'splain this to you... "Investment" is a term we use around here for something that costs a "pretty penny" ...another term we use.
#24
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: USA
Posts: 2,067
Bikes: 84 Pinarello Trevisio, 86 Guerciotti SLX, 96 Specialized Stumpjumper, 2010 Surly Cross Check, 88 Centurion Prestige, 73 Raleigh Sports, GT Force, Bridgestone MB4
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 278 Post(s)
Liked 71 Times
in
56 Posts
Pure Carnauba wax.
#25
Senior Member
Thread Starter