Wulf

I bought this from another BF member yesterday. 73 or 74 Raleigh Professional.
I took all the attached equipment off and took out the headset and bottom bracket.
Frame looks sound and without any dents or cracks or rust throughs. In fact the chrome
Looks to be in really good shape but the paint needs rehabilitation. I now have to start collecting the gear to go on it and I will try to build it back with the same equipment it originally had (Campy NR). Now.... how to refinih the frame. My choices are:
Strip and rattle-can it.
Strip and send it out for powdercoating either in the original color or a color I like.
Strip and add all the braze-ons that would make it look good and powder coat it.
Strip and send it out for original paint scheme.
Everybody can weigh in on this.

shoota 

Wheres the option for leave it as is? That's my vote.

Wulf

I had considered that but the paint is worn off the top tube and is flaking off the stays.

redneckwes

Important part being "73 or 74 Raleigh Professional."

My vote goes for, cleaning, rust prevention and build. It really doesn't need changed.

the_tool_man

For what it's worth, I like the existing colors, except for the stripes on the seat tube. But I wouldn't leave it as is. I'm not into the whole patina thing. If I were going to the trouble to restore it, I'd refinish the frame and make everything look new. Personally, I'd go for a darker blue and recreate the grey (or silver?) head tube between the lugs.

I would not rattle-can a frame this nice. It won't last much longer than the time it takes to assemble it, if that. Either find an auto body shop that can paint it with a catalyzed automotive paint, or have it powder coated. I just had a far less valuable frame painted at a local shop for $60. It looks incredible, with a deep gloss that powder coat can't match. I've found a local powder coater that does bicycle frames. I haven't used them, but they seem pretty reasonable ($25-$50), and can do many colors and effects. These prices are for a frame that arrives ready for paint. Powder coat would require a complete strip to bare metal. Paint requires smooth with no rust, but not necessarily stripped. Whether you go paint or PC, if you add decals, you could always have an automotive clear coat applied afterward, which would give you the nice gloss.

Please elaborate on what additional braze-ons this bike needs. Looks like a fun project.

Chrome Molly

Find perfect touch up paint (this can take time), give OA bath, and do your best. If it turns out like crap, you can always professionally respray (1st choice) or powdercoat (distant 2nd for that color scheme), and the OA bath will improve any of these results.

Way too nice to rattlecan. Would leave it as is before that.

jimmuller 

Don't rattlecan it. Either leave it as is or "send it out". Personal preference: Don't even send it out unless it has already been rattlecanned. (Of course if you do rattelcan it that will be the perfect excuse to send it out.) If you do anything at all besides touch-up or protection then do it fully.

auchencrow

+1
Personally I would preserve it, but if you prefer to paint, then please do it justice by having it done professionally. Don't rattle can such a nice frame!