advice needed please

[paddington35]

Got my aende from the painters today,come to fit the 1" handlebar quill stem and it was really tight to get in,then it was tight to get out and has now trashed the stem by scoring it badly,I've checked inside the fork steerer for paint and its all clean,before I sent the bike away to get painted the stem fitted fine,any ideas anyone?

Regards
Marc
2011 cube aerial
1990s aende

 

[hamster]

Possibly a bit of blasting residue inside the steerer? Clean it thoroughly. The stem also should be lightly greased anyway to stop it corroding and sticking.

 

[Midlife]

Sometimes the locknut for the headset was a bit gritty it's just a matter of taking it apart again, cleaning and putting back together again.....

Shaun