Scratch on TCR head tube help?

[Milzy]

I carlesly was using a long hex Allen key on my bike. Put a scratch in the paint on the carbon frame. I used some cutting compound to try and blend it away. All it's done is make the area really shiney like polish. Would clear nail varnish help disguise it?
Gutted as I've kept it immaculate for months.

 

[fossyant]

Just leave it. If it's a satin finish using a cutting compound will make it glossy and nail varnish will make it worse

 

[Milzy]

Just leave it. If it's a satin finish using a cutting compound will make it glossy and nail varnish will make it worse

I was planning to get the SL version in a few years. Trouble is with nice bikes is like with nice cars. You scratch it then you're gutted.

 

[Globalti]

The first scratch is always tough; from then on every time will be easier. There's a certain beauty in a piece of equipment that's well maintained but showing the scars and scuffs of honest hard use.

Neglect is different; that's criminal abuse of a bike.

 

[Alan O]

I carlesly was using a long hex Allen key on my bike. Put a scratch in the paint on the carbon frame. I used some cutting compound to try and blend it away. All it's done is make the area really shiney like polish. Would clear nail varnish help disguise it?
Gutted as I've kept it immaculate for months.

Patina!

I had a similar incident some years ago with a camera. After many years of dreaming, I was finally able to get my dream camera, a Leica M6. For ages I carried it round so gingerly and was so focused on keeping it clean and shiny that I didn't get any decent photos - for that, you have to forget the camera and just see the image. (cf: forget the bike and just see the road?)

Then one day I got some scratches on the top plate after carrying two cameras in the same bag poorly separated, and after some immediate mental swearing I thought "*** it, it's personalised now and properly mine", and I went on to enjoy many years of very pleasing shooting with it.

Alan

 

[CanucksTraveller]

Yeah the first scratch is tough for a while but you'll forget it's there after a bit, plus other people will notice it even less. Just enjoy riding such a fine machine and the scratch will fade from the memory!

 

[Deleted member 1258]

The first scratch is always tough; from then on every time will be easier. There's a certain beauty in a piece of equipment that's well maintained but showing the scars and scuffs of honest hard use.

Neglect is different; that's criminal abuse of a bike.

There's nothing worse than a bright shiny bike that doesn't have a mark on it and doesn't look like its ever been ridden.

 

[postman]

I scratched my top tube,i could not stop looking at it when out.So i bought some name stickers,and hey presto covered it and now i don't even notice my name,i find that weird.Mind you when i pop my clogs the bike is going to be worthless unless the kids can sell it to another Bob Mee.

 

[Fab Foodie]

My solution:

I was planning to get the SL version in a few years. Trouble is with nice bikes is like with nice cars. You scratch it then you're gutted.