My first paint chip on my 2010 Giant TCR Advanced
I love my Giant TCR Advanced. It is kind of cool because it is somewhat unique. Since it is a replacement frame to replace one that was damaged last year, it has a different paint scheme than what you will see on your LBS floor. Funny, but I have had people comment that they like the look of the replacement frame better than the floor model.
Then the other night I was switching out my rear skewer so I could put it on the trainer. As I released the lock the rear seat stay flexed out (as normal) and a white flake of paint popped off. “Oh great!” I thought to myself. “My first damage to the frame and I didn’t even do anything.”
My first paint chip on the 2010 TCR
Interestingly, I was able to get a glimpse of the paint job. At least at that point of the bike, it is pretty thick! The chip that came off felt pretty substantial. I think it would have taken a bit of force to try to break it in two. I didn’t try, of course!
So, I went about fixing it. At first I thought of getting some model paint and touch up the spot. Then I remembered some glue that my son and I were using to fix some of his toys. It was Elmers brand Gorrilla Glue. It did a good job on the toys and since this chip was more like a “piece” than a flake, I decided to try gluing it.
Applying the Elmers Gorrilla Glue
After letting it set for a bit, I took some white fingernail polish and coated it a few times. Later I checked on it and it was pretty solid. I’ve ridden it several times since then and the blemish is still there, but you would have to be looking for it.
The finished repair
I would be interested in knowing if anyone else has had any issues with the paint job on the Giant. This is the replacement frame that is a matte finish. I did not damage the frame by bumping it into anything or crashing.
It almost appears that the rear dropout must flex and it loosened a weak point in the paint causing it to pop off. I say that because the chip actually “popped” away from the frame as though it was under pressure and then released.
Oh well, no big deal, at least I don’t have to be so obsessive about avoiding my first scratch. There is also a measure of relief that the first one was not due to my stupidity! I’m still loving the bike.
Tags: Giant, Paint, Repair, TCR Advanced
I’ve a TCR too but no integrated seat tube. When I use it on trainer, my seat post is “dancing” from left to right and vice versa. I have an obsession that I will brake a seat post or frame. Please put your TCR on the trainer and look on the seat post, does it stay in one line with the rest of the frame? On the road I don’t see that. It is only when I ride with the trainer.
I have a 2010 Giant TCR Advanced and have two chips. The more substantial of the two is on the chainstay. A chunk of paint is missing, however there does not appear to be any damage to the area. I would have expected to see a strike mark from road debris. In any event, I can see several layers of the finish and the carbon is now exposed. The second chip is on the seat tube, again no signs of a stone striking the finish…just a missing piece.
I sent pictures to Giant and received a reply “damage is consistent with an object striking the finish” … of course I think this is BS because I have riden other bikes on the same roads for some time and never lost chunks of the finish. I have a friend with the Advanced 2 who had similar chips however Giant replaced the frame … the bike was received from Giant with paint flaking off … he never rode it …
I love the my TCR but I’m unhappy with the finish and dismissal from Giant. It’s only March, I’ve had the bike a few months and the finish is coming off … not what I expect from a $2900 frameset.