Best way to fix paint chips on frame?

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53x12
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by 53x12

Any recommendations on best way to fix a paint chip on a frame? Got a great deal on a project bike and it has a bit of a paint chip on chainstay from the chain slapping it. No carbon damage but I want to make it look decent.

I know car dealerships sell small vials of touch up paint for their cars. I was thinking of lightly sanding the paint area, using some touch up paint and then maybe a clear coat of nail polish on top of it. Is there an easy way to get a paint match done of the frame and get a small touchup paint vial? The paint chip isn't worth sending to a pro painter for them to do as they would charge more than the job was worth. I guess take it to a Lowe's/Home Depot and see if they can get the paint chip information off the frame?
"Marginal gains are the only gains when all that's left to gain is in the margins."

by Weenie


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budgetweenie
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by budgetweenie

I always use Orange nail polish.

solarider
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by solarider

Nail polish with clear car lacquer over the top. You can always find a nail polish to match any colour! And it comes with its own applicator. Lots of very thin coats is the key. The lacquer top coat will smooth over any slight imperfections in your application technique.

tranzformer
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by tranzformer

Nail polish is probably easiest and cheapest route.

efeballi
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by efeballi

Nail polish +1. I use clear nail polish for the last coat.


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53x12
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by 53x12

Are there paint chips for nail polish you can take home to see which is best match for the frame? Or do you just get a few and return the ones you don't use?
"Marginal gains are the only gains when all that's left to gain is in the margins."

MikeDee
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by MikeDee

You can cover it with an opaque chainstay protector.

by Weenie


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53x12
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by 53x12

Opaque chainstay protector might work, but the issue is actually on the outside lateral side of the chainstay. The chainstay protector might work, but it might not completely cover it.
"Marginal gains are the only gains when all that's left to gain is in the margins."

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