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So, after much deliberating between the black and yellow Patrols, I thought I'd decided on the yellow. Until I read this on their website this morning:
[i]The use of clear protective tape on the Highlighter Yellow paint can cause discoloration and is not recommended[/i]
Normally the first thing I do with any frame is whack some helitape on to protect for the normal cable rub etc. But I was planning on putting a Invisiframe kit on this time.
Anyone have any idea on why it would cause the discolouration?
Seems bizarre advice as if you don't put tape on the paint rubs off, certainly did my 2012 Covert - even a few van up uplifts in the Alps rubbed paint off the "neck" of the frame (under side of the headset/frame join)
Other non-clear patches are available...
It does seem strange that clear tape would discolour it though - guess the adhesive maybe reacts with the paint.
Or, the paint reacts with UV and fades but not where you put the patch but then that would be the case whether it was clear or not.
Interested in this
Has anyone helitaped one or maybe a Scout from last year in yellow?
Perhaps the bright colour simply highlights it more?
IME, all helitape type products discolour in the long term.
a mate has a new Patrol and has just covered a few areas in 'Gorilla' PU tape. Figures discolouration if it happens is better than chipped/scuffed.
I've only ever had one yellow frame and that faded more than any other frame I've had. Only noticed when i removed a sticker after about 6 years.
It's only the Highlighter yellow from this years Patrol. I emailed Transition and they were very open and honest about it. Email below:
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Unfortunately it's not such a burning issue to solve that we've hired a detective or anything. Our best guess is that the tape is reflective enough to block more of the visible spectrum, allowing and consequently causing the UV light to prematurely fade the top coat of paint, making the base coat (off yellowie pink) to show through making it lighter.
But again, as much as we'd all love to get our mad scientist on, (inset maniacal laugh here), our knowing doesn't fix the problem. Unfortunately, the brightest colors are always the ones to fade the fastest. Learned that from working at a Maserati dealership when I was just out of high school.
Yes, normal tape should work just fine. But again, this isn't something we actively test. With that paint, blocking the light all together may cause the opposite effect. While the rest fades, that portion is going to look original.
I forwarded this onto the paint guys, haven't heard back yet. But if we ever get an set in stone answer, I'll let you know.
Cheers.
Carl B.
That's fair enough. I prefer honesty.
I had a similar answer when I tried to get a bike powder coated fluorescent yellow. I got told by about 5 powder coaters that they cant get hold of the powder because most manufactures have stopped producing it due to unacceptable discolouration.
I ended up buying a tennis-ball yellow chameleon which isn't the exact colour I wanted but close enough. Still looks good after a year. Never got it taped though and will just get it re-powder coated in a different colour when it looks tatty.