Thread: Painting bikes
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Old 10-17-13 | 08:25 PM
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Pars
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Joined: Jan 2008
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From: Aurora, IL

Bikes: '73 Raleigh RRA, 1986 Trek 500 commuter

I've never had a bike repainted. My 1973 Raleigh RRA is still original paint, and looks good (I took care of it). You might search thru the forum to see if you can find any pics of your bike in that color that the owner has rejuvenated the paint (Meguiars Scratch-X, some judicious touch-up, etc.).

I know when I joined here, I had considered for a long time the concept of repainting the Raleigh (maybe some pearl, or other mods to the paint), having some shifter/brake cable, etc. braze-ons done, etc. I even got a set of decals for it in preparation for that. Currently, my thoughts are it will never be repainted.

My brother did have a Bianchi repainted, and I think that cost him north of $400 (quality paint and prep, new decals, clear, etc.). It turned out nice. I never saw the frame when he got it originally, but he said the paint was toast. I don't know, but when you take a look at some of the jobs that people here have done on paint that many would consider toast, the bike when cleaned up looks pretty damn good, and upon seeing that, most would not give new paint a second thought.

The other thing to consider is how your vintage components will look on a nice premium paint paint job.

A Raleigh Grand Prix, while a good bike, is not really a collectible bike, and having it being ridden pretty much trumps everything. As iab said, whatever floats your boat.
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