I just aquired a King Sting frame (huge thatnks to Chuck!)that, while it's never been built, has been scratched from shop wear. As it still has the original stickers badges etc., I don't want to have the frame redone. So, is there a decent way touch up the existing scratches? Should it even be attempted? Ideas and opinions are appreciated.

DS

Touching up paint can be very tough to do. Some colors are harder than others. Metallics even tougher. Are the scratches bad or down to metal or primer? What color is it?

You can also look at it that scratches add character. It's less work. If you're building it with nos or mint parts, you could...

Go to an auto paint store and have them scan the paint on the frame and mix you a good match. They're not all willing to do small amounts though. Fill the scratches and polish it up.

78-82 era Stings were all made at the Schwinn Paramount plant. I'm not sure about the King Sting but I believe they were made here too. The Paramount plant was a high end division of Schwinn. After Schwinn sold, this company broke off on their own.

Now called Waterford Bikes. Marc Muller heads this operation as he did back in the 70's and 80's and you will see in the website that they offer restorations with the original Schwinn Paramount colors.

I would bet they could help you with some touch-up bottles. I am guesing you have a black King Sting. If I recall correctly that is just a standard gloss black. The red and blue Sting had a metalic base but I thought the Kings were all chrome or black. What is yours?

You might consider a good detail shop. I used to work at a car dealership and we had a guy that would come around and repair scratches on cars with an airbrush. I could not find the scratches after he was done.

It's actually sort of an electric blue. it's been the source of some confusion for me as the serial number on the bike: MR815205 indicates that is was made in 81 yet the king sting is not listed in the 81 schwinn catalog. In the 82 catalog they were only available in black and frosty silver. I've also seen a chrome one on the street so there is definately something fishy with these bikes. Thanks for the ideas on touching up, I'm going to look into both the touch up paint and having somone do it for me. I also beleive that the scratches add a certain character. I'm definately torn on which way to go. Your opinions are appreciated.

DS

Personally, I'd probably leave it alone unless I was doing a full on NOS restoration. I like bikes with character too.
Its your bike. Do what makes you happy.

Try a store that sells make-up for women! take your frame to the counter that does nail varnish & ask to look at the ones that they stock to see which one is the closest(it is enamel as well)
I did this with a Blue PK Ripper (New school) in Boots (Nottingham based pharmacutical store) & got some seriously weird looks but it worked.
DINGO
p.s & they come in a bottle with a neat little brush,no mess no fuss

I will try to keep this as simple as poss.
Get the matched paint in whatever form its in
DO NOT APPLY PAINT WITH A BRUSH fold a small strip of masking tape very sharply to make like a filler spreader, then in one direction pull the paint into the scratch in one direction just like filling walls when decorating your house, wipe off excess either side of scratch but leaving paint in scrach well alone. let harden maybe two weeks depending on temperature gently rub area with 1200 grit wet and dry (use wet with washing up liquid) until area is level polish up with T CUT .

Result scratch gone.
If it is base coat and laquer spry a good dose of it over the repair and once again T CUT to blend in.
The longer you leave the paint the harder it bcomes and lees likely to break open and bleed wet paint every where.
Feel free to use this technique on your cars it works I use every day....