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Old 08-20-15 | 07:46 AM
  #17  
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Velognome
Get off my lawn!
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Joined: Nov 2010
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From: The Garden State

Bikes: 1917 Loomis, 1923 Rudge, 1930 Hercules Renown, 1947 Mclean, 1948 JA Holland, 1955 Hetchins, 1957 Carlton Flyer, 1962 Raleigh Sport, 1978&81 Raleigh Gomp GS', 2010 Raliegh Clubman

If this were my bike, I'd clean and touch up. You'll still notice the repairs but that is all part of the bikes provenance. I feel that an older bike should have chips, worn paint etc. Perfect blemish free paint jobs are reserved for the new or in the case of "nothing was left of the old to enjoy" total rebuilds. Once you've committed to repaint, there's no going back, it's only original once.

None of my bikes are pristine, they all wear the scars of use and this I think will give their next owner the opportunity to repaint if he/she feels the bug to do so.

Lastly, a repaint is always a loss of coin you'll never recover.

But in the end, do what will make you happy, that's what the hobby is all about. I think you bike is fine as is or with a touch-up.
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