I always save my "Don't Paint It" admonishments for rare bikes that look good a little beat up. My elderly Grandis is a good example. It has that "Been to the Races" look about it:


OTOH, when I decided to refresh my beater Lambert (same vintage as the Grandis), I decided a custom spray was in order, since nobody makes repro decals for the year/model I have.


My Lambert, while it's a nice enough frame, was never expensive or sought after like Grandis. Obviously, it was a lot more beat up, too, and had no original parts. Not even a Death Fork.

I guess I make the call by judging what I'm going to lose, if I do a repaint.

Here's what I gained, from my rattle can job - did I do bad?