Brining back the neon in old neon paint

[dirttorpedo]

So I have an MS racing Pro Comp XT from 1989. In the original photos the bike was painted a combination of neon yellow and white - similar to the models from Alpinestars. Unfortunately the lovely neon yellow portions of the frame have turned a sade yellow orcher like colour. The paint job is in relatively good condition so a repaint is not in order and I'm wondering if anyone has managed to reverse this kind of colour change? Here is a link with another member's bike (his yellow isn't as bad as mine).

Thread '1989 MS Racing Pro Comp XT'

Apr 9, 2023

I've said it before but will say it again I do have a thing for bikes from 89. I got my first decent bike in 89, a Bear Valley, and spent most of my time lusting after other bikes in MBA. So when this popped up the other day I had to have it. I already have a CR II so this is a nice little addition to my Malcolm Smith collection.

So this is How it was when I collected it.




Previous owner liked to live dangerously,




So after a quick clean, some amber walls and a Turbo saddle we now have this. All ready to ride although I will change the cables at some point...

• gtturbo
• Replies: 7
• Forum: Reader's MTBs --> 1997

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I expect not, but thought it was worth posing the question.

 

[gtturbo]

I think there was something a bit funky with the neon paint they used for the MS racing bikes in 89. That Pro Comp is mine and as you say the paint is not that bad. However my CR2 is terrible, see the pic below. Interestingly my 90 and 91 Al-Megas still have nice and bright fluro yellow paint. I have seen other 89 MS bikes with exactly the same issue. I think a respray is the only way but someone may have a magic trick. My other 89 CR1 is fine but that's the black one not the neon.



For comparison

 

[baron von greenback]

The only way i would think is useing what they do with cars take a minute layer of paint off to get to the under layer thats how they rejuvinate paint to stop a costly respray or really fine wet and dry then clearcoat you would have to be rsally careful as not to go through

 

[dirttorpedo]

I think there was something a bit funky with the neon paint they used for the MS racing bikes in 89. That Pro Comp is mine and as you say the paint is not that bad. However my CR2 is terrible, see the pic below. Interestingly my 90 and 91 Al-Megas still have nice and bright fluro yellow paint. I have seen other 89 MS bikes with exactly the same issue. I think a respray is the only way but someone may have a magic trick. My other 89 CR1 is fine but that's the black one not the neon.

View attachment 999365

For comparison

View attachment 999368

Yes, that's exactly the colour the yellow part of my Pro Comp XT has gone. Really ugly compared to the original neon yellow.

 

[novocaine]

sorry but it's gone, left the building, is no more.

The flouro pigment/dye is a floroscein (C20H12O5) and oxyzole yellow mix that's encapsulated in resin. over the years the encapsulation breaks down due to UV (shitty enamel or early 2k stuff) and the dye oxidizes to produce CO2 and H2O. you could strip it to find a new layer, but it isn't that thick. only option is new paint, with a better resin.

 

[dirttorpedo]

sorry but it's gone, left the building, is no more.

The flouro pigment/dye is a floroscein (C20H12O5) and oxyzole yellow mix that's encapsulated in resin. over the years the encapsulation breaks down due to UV (shitty enamel or early 2k stuff) and the dye oxidizes to produce CO2 and H2O. you could strip it to find a new layer, but it isn't that thick. only option is new paint, with a better resin.

Thanks for explaining the science behind it - makes sense. Too bad it changed to such a fugly colour.