CyclistHow to fix paint chips on your bikeNo matter how much care you take of your bike, youll inevitably put a chip in its shiny paintwork at some point. Although this is unlikely to cause damage to the frame, it will make your bike less beautiful.Dont fret though, because with a pot of paint and a bit of know-how, you can vanish away those unsightly scars. Related Posts Buyers guide: Frame protection for road and gravel bikes How to clean your bike chain and drivetrain in 5 minutes How to assess a cracked carbon frame How to retouch chipped paintwork1. Damage controlSmall chips wont ruin aluminium or steel frames. Theyre unlikely to compromise carbon either, but before starting, check the surrounding carbon doesnt feel squishy by giving it a squeeze. Look for cracks spreading from the centre.Untreated chips in your paintwork are unlikely to cause serious damage. Even on steel frames, surface rust spots wont compromise the structural integrity of the tubing. Still, its nice to keep your bike looking pretty.2.Find your colourCheap options for finding the right colour include nail polish or model makers paints. For a closer match, get a RAL colour chart and order the matching colour from a specialist shop such as Express Paints these neednt be expensive.3. Treat with alcoholClean around the area to be painted with isopropyl alcohol. This will help the touch-up paint to adhere by removing any traces of grease, wax or oil on the surface of the frame without damaging the underlying material.4. Paint itRegardless of the paint youre using, a decent brush will make application far easier. Start with one thin layer and leave it to dry. Youll probably need another couple of coats to build up the paint until its slightly proud of the surrounding area.5. Sand itFor the best finish, sand the new paint using the some very fine-grade sandpaper (at least 1,500 grit), ideally stuck to the back of a lollypop stick. Wet the paper first and work slowly to get a good finish without disturbing the surrounding paint.6. Polish itAn application of wax will add some sparkle to your touch-up job and help to restore the shiny finish to the surrounding paint. Pop it on and leave it to sit for a few minutes before polishing off with a soft cloth.Think the damage might be more than superficial? Find outhow to assess a cracked frame Related Posts Buyers guide: Frame protection for road and gravel bikes How to clean your bike chain and drivetrain in 5 minutes How to assess a cracked carbon frame The post How to fix paint chips on your bike appeared first on Cyclist.