Classic & Vintage - paint or no paint

Hello,
I am new here and have a question that I think people on this board can help me out with. So, I own a 1986 Miyata 1000 and I am contemplating whether to paint it or not. As I have discovered lately this is a really nice touring frame and I don't want to ruin a good thing. With that said, I am not much of a collector and don't have an interest in preserving the bicycle as such. I really appreciate the functionality of the bike over its cosmetic appearance; I love to tour and I would like to keep riding it for a long time to come. I have about half the original componentry still on the bike, notably the fork, stem, seatpost, crank, and headset. My intention with getting the paint job (actually powder coat) is to clean up all the surface rust and small scrapes and nicks on the frame and to ultimately seal the bike up and keep it solid for the rest of my life. Some more useful information, I could post a pic of the ride but I dont have access to a digital camera at the moment, but the frame really isn't that bad, the right side is worse because I am righthanded and tend to rest it/ walk it on that side. So here is where I need your opinions: a) should I keep it the way it is because the surface rust poses no particular threat at the moment, b) use some kind of product to clean it up but try and preserve the original decals and paint job, or c) should I strip it down and seal it up with powder coat and clear coat? I guess if I am planning on riding it a lot in the future I should go ahead and get the paint job because the quality of the original finish and decals is only going to get worse with time and use. Lets hear what u guys think though, thanks for the suggestions in advance, Will

its a pretty sought after bike so the powder coat will cause a loss of value, but if you plan on never getting rid of it, I don't see a problem

its a pretty sought after bike so the powder coat will cause a loss of value, but if you plan on never getting rid of it, I don't see a problem


Agreed, if you intend to ride it for the rest of your life, you've got to protect it from rusting away. The cheapest route would be to clean, touch-up, polish, and wax it - you might be surprised with the results.

If the finish is in rough shape, I'd go with the powder coat, and let the executor of your estate worry about originality. :thumb:

yeah one of them just sold on ebay the other day. same year for $1175. but I am sure if the paint is in bad shape that would kill the value. I am sure if you have it powder coated it will make you a nice bike for a long time. If you ever do sell it then someone can take the time and restore it to stock and have the bike painted back to the color the bike used to be. also if you dont want to go with the cost of the powder coat you could just get someone to do touch up and then spray a layer of clear on the bike.

Thanks for the help. I'm going to go with the powder coat I have decided. The frame has some rust and scratches (no cracks, fingers crossed because I have not yet stripped it down) and is only going downhill from here. I love to ride it and I want to put many more miles on it so it needs to be cleaned and sealed up. I don't have intentions of caring for the bicycle as a collectors item, but rather I feel as though it should be used to do what it was made to do: tour. With that said, I think I am going to try and keep the stock colors (blue and gold) for the powder coat. Slight chance I might go for all stock blue because I could stand to lose the gold color honestly, though I do like the two-tone scheme. One last question, will sand blasting for the prep step jeopardize the structural integrity of the frame? If so, what would be the best method to use to clean up the surface rust and small scratches? I am located in Portland and Class Act which I have read good things about has a deal for this month for $100 paint job, supposedly includes strip, one base color coat, and matte/or glossy clear coat. I think they are using chemicals to strip the paint, and while this may get the rust it won't take care of the scratches will it?

My powdercoaters say there are issues with doing two tone. That means you have to bake on two different colors, and since its a hard plastic coating, there may be a seam between the colors for water to get in. I suspect automotive paint is the way to go if you want two tone, or a base powdercoat, withe the second tone layered on top in automotive paint.

I totally agree with the powdercoat choice. When all is said an done, its a Miyata tourer, not a Mario Confente. They'll fetch a good sum in the right condition, but that means near mint. Its essentially just a beautiful and very well made steel touring bike that was made to be ridden the crap out of. The reason they fetch so much is, at least in part, because few touring bikes of that quality are made today, and the ones that are (see rivendell, and that's very debatable. I think the Miyata is better) cost quite a bit more. Think about it like that, and you'll see that its really a cheaper (and much better) alternative to a more expensive new touring bike.

If thats the market, then as long as you keep the frame straight, there will always be a market for these bikes. They're utilitarian and exceptionally made, and that is the value of the bike much more than the paint. Get it another fresh powdercoat if you ever sell it - why would you do that? better to keep it in your doomsday kit - and you'll still get some good coin from somebody who wants to tour, no matter what.