I am thinking about painting my lemond frame. How is it that some of these builders get the joint "SO" smooth? Do they spend hours on the joint with a file, or do they use a filler like bondo to get that ultra smooth joints. weld marks can be seen where the pieces of tubes joint together. If I decide to file it, will that weaken the joint?

I will be painting the frame myself with my company name on the down tube. Any suggestions? I do not know where to start with the decals. I like the look of the mid 80s (my cycling era as a kid) simple plain look with just letters and no graphic on the frame. Will the vinyl decal do the trick you see at the mall where some kid cuts it on that little cutting machine? I am even thinking about painting the name with the vinyl decal as a guild or stencil and spray painting it then clear coat.