Chipped my carbon road bike paint, advice?
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Malaysia
Posts: 1,747
Bikes: 2017 Specialized Roubaix, 2007 Giant Anthem, Polygon Quatro
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 103 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Chipped my carbon road bike paint, advice?
Hello all,
So, unfortunately, the chain slapped my chain stay and chipped off the paint from the bike.
Here's the image of the mark.
I read that some suggested car touch up paint, but I read that the color on the bottle doesn't tend to be the same color once it dries, so that'll be a problem.
Another suggestion I've read is to use nail polish, but does the color not fade over time?
Also, what process or suggestions or other methods do you all suggest to cover this chipped area
So, unfortunately, the chain slapped my chain stay and chipped off the paint from the bike.
Here's the image of the mark.
I read that some suggested car touch up paint, but I read that the color on the bottle doesn't tend to be the same color once it dries, so that'll be a problem.
Another suggestion I've read is to use nail polish, but does the color not fade over time?
Also, what process or suggestions or other methods do you all suggest to cover this chipped area
#2
Heft On Wheels
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: South Dakota
Posts: 3,123
Bikes: Specialized,Cannondale,Argon 18
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 887 Post(s)
Liked 560 Times
in
346 Posts
uggg that sucks!! I use nail polish. You can re touch up as needed. Never had a fading issue though. Cheaper option and works good enough.
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 7,021
Mentioned: 41 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4376 Post(s)
Liked 1,552 Times
in
1,017 Posts
Your bicycle dealer can order the touch up paint for your make and model bike. It will match.
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 7,021
Mentioned: 41 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4376 Post(s)
Liked 1,552 Times
in
1,017 Posts
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Florida
Posts: 1,296
Bikes: Colnago CLX,GT Karakoram,Giant Revel, Kona Honk_ Tonk
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 149 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
Go with nail polish and call it a day.
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Hacienda Hgts
Posts: 2,106
Bikes: 1999 Schwinn Peloton Ultegra 10, Kestrel RT-1000 Ultegra, Trek Marlin 6 Deore 29'er
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 822 Post(s)
Liked 1,960 Times
in
943 Posts
Car touchup paint could give you more color options.
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 192
Bikes: Spooky Mulholland
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 52 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 17 Times
in
12 Posts
nail polish all day every day, that crap is super strong and I never had issues with Fading it also is super easy to get a color to match. Not too many automotive paints in Bianchi Celeste haha
#11
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Malaysia
Posts: 1,747
Bikes: 2017 Specialized Roubaix, 2007 Giant Anthem, Polygon Quatro
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 103 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Hmm, from what I read, Specialized doesn't sell touch up paint anymore, but the dealer might have access to it? But I'm living in Malaysia so I doubt we'll even get that option. Haha
Regarding nail polish, no brush streaks?
Regarding nail polish, no brush streaks?
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 7,021
Mentioned: 41 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4376 Post(s)
Liked 1,552 Times
in
1,017 Posts
You could talk to the ladies about that since they seem to manage. But you can thin nail polish like model paint and apply it with a small brush in layers.
#13
Senior Member
Fast drying epoxy, the clear stuff that comes in two tubes which you mix together. It costs the same as nail polish, but without the silly colors. As the name states, it is fast-drying, and will be fully cured in half an hour.
#14
Heft On Wheels
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: South Dakota
Posts: 3,123
Bikes: Specialized,Cannondale,Argon 18
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 887 Post(s)
Liked 560 Times
in
346 Posts
I am not sure who does anymore. I know that Specilaized, Giant, Cannondale, Trek, and Salsa does not sell paint. They might be able to get the paint codes and then have a auto place mix it but I doubt it will even be close especially if it’s an older bike. Most mfgs don’t sell their paint there is a very small demand Andy not worth the efforts for little money.
#15
Senior Member
Do what motorcyclists/classic scooter guys do: put a sticker on it to cover it.
Carbon fiber chain stay protector stick-ons.
Example:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00B709P94...&pd_rd_w=PTBoc
Carbon fiber chain stay protector stick-ons.
Example:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00B709P94...&pd_rd_w=PTBoc
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 7,021
Mentioned: 41 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4376 Post(s)
Liked 1,552 Times
in
1,017 Posts
I am not sure who does anymore. I know that Specilaized, Giant, Cannondale, Trek, and Salsa does not sell paint. They might be able to get the paint codes and then have a auto place mix it but I doubt it will even be close especially if it’s an older bike. Most mfgs don’t sell their paint there is a very small demand Andy not worth the efforts for little money.
#17
member
Find a color matching nail polish app for your phone and get the exact color you need.
I used to do it for my mountain bike after downhill adventures :-)
I used to do it for my mountain bike after downhill adventures :-)
#18
vespertine member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Land of Angora, Turkey
Posts: 2,476
Bikes: Yes
Mentioned: 22 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 687 Post(s)
Liked 220 Times
in
163 Posts
Also remember that nail polish can be mixed. Get a few colors, dump half of one bottle out (or better, just paint your nails) and go for it.
The Sally Hansen whatever stuff is pretty cheap and seems to do the trick.
The Sally Hansen whatever stuff is pretty cheap and seems to do the trick.
#20
Senior Member
I used a Posca marker. It didn't match well, but no one noticed, then I rode my bike, and I stopped caring too.
#21
Senior Member
I do nothing for chips or possibly a permanent marker if it's in a very noticeable location. Most chips are hard to see if you are standing as most things that chip the paint are moving upward so the chip somewhat faces downward. Yours looks like it be hard to see from eye level.
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Sacramento, California, USA
Posts: 40,865
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur
Mentioned: 68 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2952 Post(s)
Liked 3,106 Times
in
1,417 Posts
I'd just cover it with a chain protector sticker.
#23
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 132
Bikes: Spcialized RockHopper (free) 1992 Trek T100 Tandem ($220) 2006 Quintana Roo Seduza ($350) 2016 Giant Fastroad ($1100)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 46 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
If the fork is the same color, and you can bring it to a Home Depot, they can match it for you. The last time I did it, I paid ~$10 for a quartz.
Good luck
Good luck
#24
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 7,021
Mentioned: 41 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4376 Post(s)
Liked 1,552 Times
in
1,017 Posts