I picked up this “brand new” Checkpoint SL5 last week. Today as I had it in the rack trying to adjust a warped rotor I noticed how bad the paint job is. Is this normal, or did I get a customer return that had been abused?
This is normal. It’s supposed to be transparent somewhat so you see the carbon. My Top Fuel is similar.
almostalwaysafraid on
That’s the carbon layup under a somewhat see through paint. It’s fine.
this_is_up_up_is_no on
Copied my reply from another post asking the same question: Not defective, just the carbon layup underneath the finish showing through.
It’s my understanding that Trek has finishes, both matte and gloss, where the carbon does not show through at all, but they also offer “carbon tint” finishes (again both matte and gloss) where you can see the layup underneath. My gen 6 Madone is finished in both matte and gloss paint and the carbon doesn’t show through anywhere but my Fuel EX in matte carbon tint shows the carbon layup on different parts of the frame. It gives it a kind of “one-of-one” look, which I like.
My SL Checkpoint has the same “exposed” carbon fork and Trek lettering as this. I totally get how this look might take people by surprise though, and I’m sure not everyone likes it.
3 Comments
This is normal. It’s supposed to be transparent somewhat so you see the carbon. My Top Fuel is similar.
That’s the carbon layup under a somewhat see through paint. It’s fine.
Copied my reply from another post asking the same question: Not defective, just the carbon layup underneath the finish showing through.
It’s my understanding that Trek has finishes, both matte and gloss, where the carbon does not show through at all, but they also offer “carbon tint” finishes (again both matte and gloss) where you can see the layup underneath. My gen 6 Madone is finished in both matte and gloss paint and the carbon doesn’t show through anywhere but my Fuel EX in matte carbon tint shows the carbon layup on different parts of the frame. It gives it a kind of “one-of-one” look, which I like.
My SL Checkpoint has the same “exposed” carbon fork and Trek lettering as this. I totally get how this look might take people by surprise though, and I’m sure not everyone likes it.