Mir3886

Hi, as the title suggests I’m curious about issues with a small dent on a steel seat tube. I just received a ‘90s steel Serotta TG. Unfortunately the package was damaged in transit and the seat tube lost some paint and there is a slight dent which may have come from other items in the package.
I’ve posted pics of the location, size and depth of the indentation which may be 2MM deep.

Other than cosmetic which I can live with and repair. What’s the probability that it will be fine? Based on searches here and on the internet it seems like the seat tube dents aren’t as concerning form some. Thanks in advance!

Iride01 

Ride the bike. Just like many other things on your bike, this should just become one of the things you look at every so often. When you remember to look at it make certain a crack isn't developing. Though I doubt it will ever become anything.

ClydeClydeson

If it was sold as a 'new old stock' or 'mint condition' collectors item then try to get reimbursed for the damage from the seller or the shipper. Only you can decide what difference this damage makes to the value of the bike.

If this bike is meant for riding then that is 100% not a problem. Some nail polish to keep the bare metal from rusting is all you need. You could use some body filler and try to match the paint, or put a sticker over it. It is purely an aesthetic concern and not a practical or safety one. This opinion is based on the location (far from any tube junctions) and size (quite small) of the damage.

SurferRosa

"What’s the probability that it will be fine?"

99.9 percent with a good paint match.

Iride01 

Yeah, they got a point, if this was damaged in shipping you ought to get something for that. Even if the shipper didn't ensure it, there is still a minimum insurance on most all stuff I've shipped. Usually $50 sometimes $100. But depending on whether you paid a premium for NOS or not, then if the seller/shipper can file a claim and get that back and give it to you, then I'd not worry about fixing it.

If you did pay premium for NOS, then maybe you just need a full refund, but then you'll be likely stuck for return shipping. Let us know........... I've never been sure if the person receiving an item damaged from shipping can file a claim since they didn't actually pay and ship it.

Koyote

This.

Once you touch it up with some Testor's model paint or nail polish and put on your water bottle cage, it will be almost unnoticeable.

I wouldn't bother with Bondo. More trouble than it's worth, and you'll damage more of the paint when you sand it down to make it smooth.

Mir3886

Thanks guys, very helpful and a great sanity check. I’ve ridden my share of dented bikes in the past but never a dented steel seat tube.

I plan on riding this bike a ton as a retro-upgrade so I’m not concerned about a refund and definitely don’t want to send it back.

The seller has been really stand up about it too. He did opt for shipping insurance and is filing a claim. If something comes from it then great if not I still got the frame I wanted.

and yeah, I’ll be checking out nail polish or model paint options.

Crankycrank

What you can do is insert a long rod or ?? inside the seat tube to smooth out the dents. Of course you have to get the rod beyond the water bottle braze-on with a little modification but try this technique used on a motorcycle fork tube. https://45537.activeboard.com/t52500...k-tube-repair/ A machinist friend would be helpful or with any luck, size wise, a wrench socket could be used and ground down on one side but a little imagination can accomplish what you need.

guy153

Absolutely nothing to worry about except the cosmetic annoyance.

​​​​​​No harm in using a bit of car body filler if you are able to get hold of some paint the right colour.

Olefeller77 

I think the seat tube will be fine but I would replace the measuring tape. Looks rough.

Andrew R Stewart 

From a repair view this would be harder then many dents in a seat tube. First is that the dent in below the upper bottle boss. So any internal device needs to get past this boss. next is that the ST grows in diameter right about at the dent. So any repair has to deal with this added ID capacity too.

Taking the thousand year old medical approach of "do no harm" I'd suggest simple bondo filler and touch up paint. Andy

Moe Zhoost

Touch-up paint for now. When (if) you ever get around to a repaint, you can address it then. Bondo would work, but I've always preferred metal, either brazing rod or body lead.

sovende

I'd fill the "dent" with multiple layers of acrylic nail polish (clear vs reasonable color match) then finish up with a decal or sticker of some sort. Move the bottle cage to the seat tube and you'll be got to go !

Barry2 

Matching that metallic green will be fun.
Hide it in plain sight.

I'd bondo the dent and then go with a narrow white band around the tube.

Barry