Providing touch up paint is one of the more difficult problems of the bicycle industry.
One challenge is the complicated layering processes used to achieve the finished paint colour of your bicycle. Though this process allows us to produce some beautiful finishes, it is very difficult to replicate with a single layer of any paint.
When we specify paint colours to factory, they are chosen from paint samples, using factory-specific paint codes. These codes often start with YS and do not translate to any products commonly available to the average person, or even professional painters outside of bicycle manufacturing.
Though we are often asked to provide RGB, CMYK, or Pantone codes, these do not translate well either as an exact match once painted on your bicycle. They are useful for producing colours on your computer screen (RGB), on a printing press (CMYK, Pantone), but will not produce an exact match when touching up the paint on your bicycle.
Our best advice is to try and match a touch-up paint to your bike in person. Touch-up paint is commonly available for automotive use at most local hardware stores.
Enamel-based hobby paints may also work quite well, and are available in a wide range of colours. One brand that we've heard of good results with is called Testors, who produce paints for hobbyists that are quite durable and affordable.
When painting with enamel-based paints, it's important to apply thin coats, and allow each coat to dry overnight before continuing. Some carefully applied enamel paint, with a light sanding using high grit, wet-or-dry sandpaper between coats may produce great results.