Following on from another thread, I had a lovely titanium seat post for Christmas. Took it out for a ride in the wet so removed it when I got back to allow the frame to air. Went to pop it back in this morning and noticed a long, zig-zag gouges down the front & back. Put the old Thomson in and that also came out with the same marking (the zig-zagging presumably comes from the twisting of the post to get it in/out).
Somehow something like sand or fine grit must have made it into the seat tube (spray off the back wheel or contaminated grease perhaps). I've pushed another post down until it hit the insert for the bottle cage & this seems to have cleaned out the tube.
After the initial horror I suppose that it's not catastrophic (it's not going to affect the post structurally, and it's in the frame so not visible - gutted all the same) but I'd like to get the scratches out if possible.
What should I be using? Or am I better off sucking it up and just going riding?
It’ll just happen again won’t it. Titanium wears its scratches well, I’d just leave it.
Try a green washing up scouring pad right at the bottom as a tester. I have used one to good effect, but depends on your exact finish as to how well it will blend for you.
I doubt it was dirt that caused it myself, more likely a burr inside the seat tube possibly at the joint with the top tube. A file will smooth it off.
To remove a scratch you have to do two things. First is to remove any burrs that might be raised above the level of the original. This might help it look better. Second, you need to remove material down to where the gouge becomes invisible.
Best skip step 2 unless it's really minor.
It'll be the edge of the slot in the frame.
Almost a perfect cutting edge after it's been tightened especially if the post is ever so slightly under size
I'd just use finish scotch brite if needs must 🙂
Probably me just over reacting again. It's a very snug fit and takes some twisting & pushing to get it at the right height. There's bound to be some scratching & wear.
It's all good thumbs up
Well it's all put back together with some anti-sieze & the scratches are out of sight so I'll pretend it didn't happen. They're just deep enough to feel with a finger nail but I'm assuming it'll be fine.
It's certainly the tightest post/seat tube interface I've come across & takes a fair amount of twisting to get it so I guess it was never going to stay pristine.
Lucky it wasn't a carbon post!
Dead easy:
Scotchbrite pads (red and grey) fine and ultra fine.
Can't remember the number.
Then use brasso to tidy up.
