>>1851882Most of the rust problems I've dealt with are the previous owner scratching the paint & ignoring it, or framebag straps rubbing off the paint. And water coming in the top of the seat tube, or water getting in with internal cable routing (the grommets always age/distort).
I fucking hate painting, but sometimes it's the right fix. I tried color matching once, it always stuck out like a sore thumb. I just use clear now. With framebags, I just stopped using the kind that have rubber/biothane straps. It's a tough material, but it always seems to rub through.
For the last two I use clear silicone, similar to what you would put at the seam on a kitchen counter, or around a bathtub. Getting it on, having it look neat is a tricky. A caulk gun is too coarse a tool. I bought a box of disposable syringes no needles, something like 100 for $10. I'll use the caulk gun to fill a syringe, and use the syringe to delicately apply it.
Don't get the kind that releases acetic acid when it cures. If you've used silicone sealant/gasket maker on vehicles, you know the smell. There's a different kind called "neutral cure" silicone, used for natural stone countertops, etc that releases alcohol when it cures.
