> So, ride 'em, I say, ride the hell out of 'em,
> knowing that they can be
> repainted if need be Let those scratches be fond
> memories of a great day in
> the saddle, rather than "oh, that scratch is where
> my wife knocked it off
> the display stand while housecleaning.
i couldn't agree more. when i first got my bob jackson (new) i thought i was going to baby it and keep it in perfect cosmetic shape. that didn't last long. bikes are made to be ridden and enjoyed by the owner. i get the most enjoyment from riding them so that's what i do. i commute too, and locking up creates scratches. i don't worry about it. i prefer the character of a well used bike. the bob jackson is a color that hides them well though. you can't see the scratches until you get real close to it.
when i got the gianni motta it was a great candidate
for a repaint. instead i opted to use a dremel with a
soft brush on it to polish the surface rust away and
then just use a close matching touch up paint to
protect the bare area. i left unrusted scratches on it
because i kinda like them. i also like how the paint
is old and brittle looking. there is even a little
hazing you can see if you look closely. i think it's
cool.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/
jeff piwonka
austin texas usa