How can you "spiffy" up a bike?

[Sevenhills1952]

Regarding paint.
I have a Roadmaster and I R&R/clean-lubed crank and chain. Paint is good for 50+ years old, however there are some bad spots. I don't want patina, I'd like to fix and repaint i.e. touch up those areas.
How do you guys do it? It's metallic orange. Thanks.

Sent from my Bell candlestick

 

[GTs58]

Looks like a red to me. More than likely Flamboyant Red that is a two step paint job with a silver base coat and then a Candy or translucent red shot over the silver. Try your favorite Walgreens or Walmart for some fingernail polish if you're just doing some small spots. Finger nail polish comes in a hundred different shades of red. No matter what you use, the touch up will still be noticeable.

 

[rustjunkie]

from my experience:
touch ups nearly always look worse and are more glaring than the wear they try to conceal, and often diminish value.
try to learn to appreciate and enjoy it for what it is:
old, with wear, history, and character

 

[Shawn Michael]

I agree with Rustjunkie. Unless your eyesight is poor and old avoid the touch ups because it will just make it look worse.

 

[vincev]

I would not waste time with "touch ups".They always stick out and look bad.I would take it apart and do the job right.It is much easier to clean and polish parts when disassembled.

 

[CURTIS L LINDGREN]

Listen carefully to what they say. It's all true , at least from my perspective . Sometimes I try a very small amount of light oil on rough spots ( mostly the rusted areas) that can help take your eye away from looking at those areas . Just a thought. Nice bike by the way.