Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Road Cycling
Reload this Page >

Chipped my carbon road bike paint, advice?

Search
Notices
Road Cycling “It is by riding a bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best, since you have to sweat up the hills and coast down them. Thus you remember them as they actually are, while in a motor car only a high hill impresses you, and you have no such accurate remembrance of country you have driven through as you gain by riding a bicycle.” -- Ernest Hemingway

Chipped my carbon road bike paint, advice?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 04-15-18, 10:28 AM
  #1  
wheelhot
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
wheelhot's Avatar
 
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
wheelhot is offline  
Old 04-15-18, 12:47 PM
  #2  
sdmc530
Heft On Wheels
 
sdmc530's Avatar
 
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.
sdmc530 is offline  
Old 04-15-18, 12:50 PM
  #3  
dougphoto
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 526
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 130 Post(s)
Liked 24 Times in 12 Posts
Yep nail polish every time.
dougphoto is offline  
Old 04-15-18, 12:51 PM
  #4  
Kontact 
Senior Member
 
Kontact's Avatar
 
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.
Kontact is offline  
Old 04-15-18, 01:37 PM
  #5  
Nachoman
well hello there
 
Nachoman's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Point Loma, CA
Posts: 15,430

Bikes: Bill Holland (Road-Ti), Fuji Roubaix Pro (back-up), Bike Friday (folder), Co-Motion (tandem) & Trek 750 (hybrid)

Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 503 Post(s)
Liked 336 Times in 206 Posts
Originally Posted by Kontact
Your bicycle dealer can order the touch up paint for your make and model bike. It will match.
That's a good call because I use nail polish and no matter how hard I try and match the color it's always off.
__________________
.
.

Two wheels good. Four wheels bad.
Nachoman is offline  
Old 04-15-18, 05:30 PM
  #6  
sdmc530
Heft On Wheels
 
sdmc530's Avatar
 
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
Originally Posted by Kontact
Your bicycle dealer can order the touch up paint for your make and model bike. It will match.


Not ALWAYS true. But yes they can. Usually way overpriced....
sdmc530 is offline  
Old 04-15-18, 05:39 PM
  #7  
Kontact 
Senior Member
 
Kontact's Avatar
 
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
Originally Posted by sdmc530
Not ALWAYS true. But yes they can. Usually way overpriced....
Most dealers I worked at had it lying around and we gave it away for free.
Kontact is offline  
Old 04-15-18, 05:47 PM
  #8  
Shuffleman
Senior Member
 
Shuffleman's Avatar
 
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
Originally Posted by Nachoman
That's a good call because I use nail polish and no matter how hard I try and match the color it's always off.
Paint matching is hard. However, nobody really notices it but you anyway. We tend to study our own equipment or scratchs. Others just give it a cursory glance and don't notice such things.
Go with nail polish and call it a day.
Shuffleman is offline  
Old 04-15-18, 05:49 PM
  #9  
CAT7RDR
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.
CAT7RDR is offline  
Old 04-15-18, 06:37 PM
  #10  
MakiNn
Senior Member
 
MakiNn's Avatar
 
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
MakiNn is offline  
Old 04-15-18, 08:48 PM
  #11  
wheelhot
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
wheelhot's Avatar
 
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?
wheelhot is offline  
Old 04-15-18, 09:55 PM
  #12  
Kontact 
Senior Member
 
Kontact's Avatar
 
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
Originally Posted by wheelhot
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?
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.
Kontact is offline  
Old 04-16-18, 03:58 AM
  #13  
50PlusCycling
Senior Member
 
50PlusCycling's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2018
Posts: 1,129
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 552 Post(s)
Liked 812 Times in 410 Posts
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.
50PlusCycling is offline  
Old 04-16-18, 07:10 AM
  #14  
sdmc530
Heft On Wheels
 
sdmc530's Avatar
 
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
Originally Posted by Kontact
Most dealers I worked at had it lying around and we gave it away for free.
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.
sdmc530 is offline  
Old 04-16-18, 10:51 AM
  #15  
rgconner
Senior Member
 
rgconner's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Sacramento, CA
Posts: 1,156

Bikes: Curtis Inglis Road, 80's Sekai touring fixie

Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 472 Post(s)
Liked 11 Times in 9 Posts
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
rgconner is offline  
Old 04-16-18, 01:25 PM
  #16  
Kontact 
Senior Member
 
Kontact's Avatar
 
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
Originally Posted by sdmc530
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.
It doesn't hurt to ask.
Kontact is offline  
Old 04-16-18, 05:30 PM
  #17  
vtje
member
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Bay Area
Posts: 212

Bikes: 2016 Cervelo R3, 2021 Carbonda Gravel, 2019 Ibis HD4, 2016 Ibis Mojo HD3, 2016 Specialized Demo 8 II, 2015 Specialized P26

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 57 Post(s)
Liked 4 Times in 4 Posts
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 :-)
vtje is offline  
Old 04-16-18, 08:22 PM
  #18  
wipekitty
vespertine member
 
wipekitty's Avatar
 
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.
wipekitty is offline  
Old 04-16-18, 08:43 PM
  #19  
Bmach
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,085
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 440 Post(s)
Liked 264 Times in 162 Posts
Testers model paint and mix to match.
Bmach is offline  
Old 04-17-18, 08:28 AM
  #20  
San Pedro
Senior Member
 
San Pedro's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Kota, Aichi, Japan
Posts: 1,277

Bikes: 2011 Giant Seek R3, 2015 Specialized Allez Elite, 2017 Giant TCR Advanced 2

Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 344 Post(s)
Liked 3 Times in 3 Posts
I used a Posca marker. It didn't match well, but no one noticed, then I rode my bike, and I stopped caring too.
San Pedro is offline  
Old 04-17-18, 09:42 AM
  #21  
RShantz
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 609
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 278 Post(s)
Liked 29 Times in 19 Posts
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.
RShantz is offline  
Old 04-17-18, 11:11 AM
  #22  
caloso
Senior Member
 
caloso's Avatar
 
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.
caloso is offline  
Old 04-17-18, 06:45 PM
  #23  
hcgaloi
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
hcgaloi is offline  
Old 04-17-18, 06:59 PM
  #24  
Kontact 
Senior Member
 
Kontact's Avatar
 
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
Originally Posted by hcgaloi
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
What kind of paint can they mix aside from latex?
Kontact is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Raiden
Framebuilders
4
04-28-16 11:38 PM
FarHorizon
Bicycle Mechanics
21
12-06-15 09:30 AM
kenshireen
Road Cycling
4
08-19-13 03:32 PM
nadimk
Bicycle Mechanics
5
04-04-11 03:12 PM
BrainInAJar
Framebuilders
2
09-01-10 12:06 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.