Lacquer on a titanium frame?

[ishaw]

Looking at buying a ti frame, which appears to be lacquered. Why? Is this normal? It's peeling in a few places so is it worth living with or removing?

Thoughts?

 

[hamster]

Seems odd, I can't see the point! Was it to keep the decals on?

 

[foz]

Re:

Are you sure it's ti and not a plated finish? If it is ti then I'd just strip the lacquer off and leave it how it should be!

 

[elite504]

^^ aye!

 

[TOMAS]

As above, you sure its Ti? I think you can try with magnet, Ti has slight bit of magnetism but nothing like that of steel/cromo. My old Raleigh Dynatechs and M-Trax I have all have their Ti tubes painted... I never really understood why but i'm sure I read its because it was a cheap Ti Tubeset and you could see the seam joints in them and made them look 'ugly' unless painted.

 

[ishaw]

Re:

Pretty sure, it's a rock lobster team ti.

 

[syncrosfan]

It's not that unusual to paint Titanium frames. The most notable manufacturer to do that is Serotta. Sometimes the customers like some color... usually the rear seat-stays are left bare titanium.

 

[foz]

Re:

Paint yes, but lacquer?

 

[Coquitlam Geoff]

strip it it will peel will time anyway

 

[Woz]

Crescent also painted their Ti frames, essentially to keep them identifiable as part of the branding exercise.

Lacquer is not normal, and like painting, is pretty pointless from a mechanical perspective. Worth removing.