How frame protection can increase the resale value of your bike

Whether you’re a roadie, bikepacker or downhill racer, there's one thing that unites us all – we want our bikes to look good.

A stone flicked up from the road, panniers continuously rubbing, tightly clamped bike locks, accidents, or just a badly leant bike taking a tumble can all cause damage.

Nicks, dents and scuffs are not only bad for the longevity of your frame, but they can affect the resale value of your bike too. 

Keeping your frame looking tip-top with frame protection can pay dividends when you come to sell.

How to keep your bike frame looking new

There are several ways to protect your frame and keep the paintjob looking fresher for longer. Each method offers a different level of protection, and the cost and look of each also varies.

Paint Protection Film (PPF)

Invisible protective film can be applied to the frame to minimise damage, and protect from scuffs, stone chips and minor trail wear. The best frame protection is made from urethane film, which is durable, flexible and weather-resistant. 

The film needs to be cut to the specifications of the parts of the frame you want to protect. 

invisiFRAME offers custom PPF (Paint Protection Film) kits, so you don’t need to do any cutting. It’s a worthy investment – an invisiFRAME PPF kit will cost you less than £100, which is significantly cheaper than repairing a damaged frame.

DIY protective tape

Sometimes called ‘racer tape’, this tear- and abrasion-proof DIY tape offers basic protection from cable marks, stone chips and weather damage.

It’s often referred to as ‘helicopter tape’ because it was originally designed to protect blades. The width can vary and it usually has a thickness of 8mm (8 thousandths of an inch), although it's available in 14mm too. It needs to be cut to size and is a good budget option. On the downside, you can be left with large portions of your bike unprotected and it can look scruffy. 

Hydrophobic coating

This option acts as a protective coating that provides a layer to create a barrier from mud and water, while also staving off rust. Sometimes referred to as ceramic coating, it is applied directly to the frame and left to cure.

A good-quality spray will provide temporary UV protection to prevent yellowing. It’s a cost-effective solution against minor damage.

A bottle of invisiFRAME Protective Coating costs £15 for 100ml. It will make bike frames and components resistant to surface contaminants, such as sweat, energy drinks and gels, as well as mud, dirt and grime. invisiFRAME’s specific formula is water-based, meaning there are no hazardous chemicals as found in traditional ceramic coatings.

How does a custom frame kit work?

Protection is important and so are aesthetics. If you’re opting for protective film, you will want a neat fit. invisiFRAME offers a smart solution, with custom PPF kits designed to your exact specifications. 

Whether you’re riding a Santa Cruz Jackal or a Brompton C Line, there will be a fit that has been cut to the make and model. It’s “maximum protection tailor-made for your exact frame design, size and material for complete coverage,” says invisFRAME founder Lee Regan. There are universal kits available too.

Using high-quality paint protection film, invisiFRAME says its PPF kits are made from industry leader XPEL’s “premium quality automotive film that has been developed to protect car paint from stone chip and abrasion damage”. 

Lee also assures us the film will protect your frame from “trail and road debris, rubbing on bike racks or carriers, paint damage and fading from UV and harmful chemicals, as well as accidental damage that could happen at any point”.

invisiFRAME PPF kits are made to the exact specifications of your bike, so there is no cutting involved. Each kit comes with a key sheet, fitting solution concentrate, lint-free cloths, pre-application cleaning wipes and a squeegee. 

There is full guidance on how to fit invisiFRAME on the brand's site, or you can find a professional fitter to do the job for you.

invisiFRAME also recommends spraying your freshly wrapped bike with its new Protective Coating product, either as a base level of standalone protection or as invisiFRAME aftercare.

​​”Our new hydrophobic protective coating has similar qualities to ceramic coating without any of the nasty hazardous chemicals,” says Lee. “It can be applied by anyone and one coating lasts for six months. invisiFRAME advises it can be used on most parts of the bike (not the brakes), and with or without an invisiFRAME PPF kit.”

How will this translate once you’re ready to sell?

“Like anything, bikes will depreciate in time,” says Lee. “However, when you remove the invisiFRAME, the paint underneath will be in near-perfect condition with no unsightly scratches or chips. 

“A cared-for bike will maintain its resale value, just like a car. For under £100, you would easily make your money back when it’s time to sell.”