repair scratches on surly frame I am a happy owner of a Surly Cross Check frame, two years old. Today I put it against a pole, but a strong wind blow made it slide along the pole and fall to the ground. As a result, there is one deep scratch--I can even see some bare steel. My questions are: 1) Should I worry about the bare steel rust? 2) Is there a product I could use to say, "paint over" the steel and protect it again? Surly itself suggests "automotive touchup paint", but I know nothing about it. Thanks for any help.

Either find a touchup paint that closely matches (often bike shops have tons of surplus or can order one that matches), or clear coat it. Or use clear nail polish.

Or don't worry about it ;)

As long as you're not storing the bike outside in the elements, you will reach the fatigue life of a weld somewhere on the frame before scratches will rust sufficiently to compromise its structural integrity.

And before anybody says it- yes, I know steel can be repaired. Once again, as long as the bike is being stored out of the elements you'll be able to repair welds many times over before the frame will rust through.