There's a thread over at MTB where they are talking about winter projects with vintage rides. I posted there but I thought I'd bring it here too.

I'm stripping my old '82 Ross Super Gran Tour XV. I want to have it powder coated clear but the powder coat guy says they don't have much luck with clear coats. Yes, there is a clear powder coat - but they say it shows finger prints and rust? If the frame was bead blasted and clean in the shop, where would grease and finger prints come into the equation?

Also, (and this makes more sense), they say if they over-bake it, it will take on a yellowed look... But again, wouldn't that be the same problem over a colored powder coat? Finally, he told me that if they do end up with a bad finish, they can't strip it off and re-do it. This guy seemed bound and determined to steer me to a color. He pointed out all the shades of silver and gray, thinking that I would be happy with that.

Can anyone comment on this idea of a clear powder coat and the pitfalls the guy is telling me about? I like the idea of a stripped frame showing all the braze around the lugs, and I'm not the only one judging by the number of "Stripper" finishes I see being offered by bike manufacturers and the way they get snapped up...

I'd also be interested to hear if anyone else has vintage projects going to while away the long winter nights - if they have time after their commutes that is!