Trek 5200 Paint Problem

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by ewcassi
I have the same problem shown in an older post here regarding
a paint defect on the top tube around the rear cable bracket.
Apparently Trek Support is not what it used to be. I was told by customer service that this is considered normal wear, a result of sweat, and I will need to pay for a paint job, or I can sand away the finish and remove all the corrosion myself!

This is a 2001 model, but is wiped down after each ride and kept spotless during the winter months.

The lesson here is don't buy a Trek if you sweat a lot?

Could apply to most others as well. Wiping often does not get it. That's why the French invented the bidet'.

the bidet saddle ... there's an idea

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by ewcassi
I have the same problem shown in an older post here regarding
a paint defect on the top tube around the rear cable bracket.
Apparently Trek Support is not what it used to be. I was told by customer service that this is considered normal wear, a result of sweat, and I will need to pay for a paint job, or I can sand away the finish and remove all the corrosion myself!

This is a 2001 model, but is wiped down after each ride and kept spotless during the winter months.

The lesson here is don't buy a Trek if you sweat a lot?

Had the same problem with my 2001 Trek. Solution? Since mine was a warranty bike to begin with, I just removed ALL the paint and went nude.

Love the look. One caveat, the carbon finish/surface is NOT like the weave patterns you see on current clear lacquered bikes. It's more utilitarian, very stealth bomber looking.

What do you use to remove the paint from a carbon frame?

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by Mampara
What do you use to remove the paint from a carbon frame?

To begin with, the paint on the entire top tube was so distressed by sweat that I could peel most of it off! By hand!

As for the rest, I did something that is definately not recommended by Trek. I used good old Rhino brand paint stripper.

I was very careful to make sure that the paint stripper was removed ASAP, to minimise exposure.

Plus I'd tested it on the fork, way earlier, just to be sure that the carbon/resin matrix wouldn't be damaged.

Sanding with abrasive cloths removed the rest of the paint.

Yeah. So I took a risk.

I've been riding the frame for 6mths now, and its still in one piece. The unfinished OCLV carbon is very tough, the surface is very hard. While sanding, I could barely mark it. It certainly seemed harder than, say, the aluminium surface of a crank.

As for decals, I whipped up a batch on my Mac and sent them to be laser cut. viola!

Works for me.