Raw Frames
RAW FRAMES RUST!
The perfectly imperfect finish
Yes... its probably the most beautiful way to finish a steel bike; in its raw form. But this perfection does not come without its drawbacks and there's no two ways about it; over time, a raw frame (clear coated) will begin to rust, which isn't for everyone...
If you are purchasing a raw finish, you must accept this fact and be willing to put the correct maintenance in to your frame to preserve it.
We do not cover any warranty claims made against rust on a raw frame.
BUT... its not all doom and gloom; so lets read on....
Why does it rust?
Even though our raw frames are clear coated (which helps slow the process down), the clearcoat is porous; this means moisture may still work its way through, reaching the frame.
How long will it take my frame to rust?
If left untouched, the rust will begin to come in very early, however, with proper maintenance (more below), you can help slow this process down.
Is rust damaging to the frame?
The time it takes for rust to become so bad it will effect the integrity of the steel is a long time.... like... a VERY long time. Realistically, a frame getting to this point during its lifetime/ownership is very minimal.
How our frames are treated.
Our raw frames are clear coated and whilst this does not stop the process, it certainly slows it down. Our raw frames are also still internally treated with anti corrosion formula, which also aids in the defence.
What can you do to slow this process down?
Firstly, follow our standard maintenance procedures (you can find the guide here). On top of this, we also recommend the following to slow the process down even more;
- Fully coat the frame in a water displacement maintenance spray before every ride.
- Fully wash and IMMEDIATELY dry your bike after a ride, coating in water displacement maintenance spray ready for storage.
- Store in a dry environment, ideally at room temperature. Some garages/sheds are often a lot colder and have a damper atmosphere, we would recommend monitoring/spot checks on your frame during storage for excessive moisture.
My frame has rusted, what can I do?
If you have gotten to the point where your frame has rusted, DO NOT WORRY... it is completely natural.
Some customers often aim for this look and will keep it, but if its not for you, there are options to take if you wanted to restore it;
- The frame can be stripped and re-coated in a brand new or custom colour (we also offer this but it is a chargeable service).
- The clearcoat can be stripped and the rust removed, then ran as a bear frame. This would require rust removal with wire wool and oil on a regular basis to keep the rust at bay.
As a small business, we run with an open and honest policy. We would not expect un-necessary slander on workmanship due to a raw frame rusting; it is a natural, beautiful process that many love. If the up keep and drawbacks are not for you, we recommend choosing a coated finish instead!