In 1972 I bought a Peugeot PX-10. Still have it. The white paint is showing surface rust spots from sitting in the garage.

Looking for opinions... should it be left original (scruffy) or repaint? It has never been modified.

Pictures would, of course help. My usual method is to use touch up paint to keep the bike original and improve on scruffy looks.

Flat white rustoleum paint is an excellent match for that white. I used it on a mid 70s PR 10 to deal with minor rust and the match was very good.

I bought a PH10 new back in '85. Still have it. Still ride it--my N bike. The pearl white paint looks as good as the day it was new. I always get a compliment or three every time I ride it.
Jon

Great quality frameset.. Probably worth the time and efforts!

JJ

...this. A full repaint with decals seems excessive given your description of the problem, It's a relatively easy white to match. Mask everything you don't want to get paint on, prep your rusted spots, primer them in white, and then find a good white match for your color coat. If you use a flat, you'll probly get a better final match by clear coating over it.

AS tempting as it is to try to do this without stripping off all the components, don't do it. You get much more control with a bare frame and fork when it comes time to apply the paint (or paints).

Any tips on polishing that metal if you don't have access to a grinder? I've been hoping to touch up a couple of crank arms.

Thank you, sir. I think I've seen that video, and I'll definitely take another look to refresh the knowledge.

This is a great opening for opinion.

If in your shoes, I would completely service, clean and keep it original... even if it looks somewhat tired. The storyline is more remarkable and to many, if considering monetary value a better find.

Its also largely about the character of this bike. Less percentage of finding an original from the first owner. And you're riding it. Too cool!

On the other hand, they made large numbers of this production racer, not rare but was a super value and well proven winner in pro racing. So if restoring with repainting is your wish, do enjoy the project.

I have a bike acquired from a few years back and left me in a similar debate. UK made, circa 1972 Whitcomb tt racer. Really tattered looking but all there and original from one owner. Most would repaint it but after I was holding just the old frame my mind zeroed in on 'its only original once' plus with having bits of its origin, story, the continents it was ridden.

Decided then to smooth out the nasty edges take care of the surface corrosion and then multi rub down with wax. No clear coat. Sorted out the components, fresh brake blocks and period vintage tubulars, new but like the period cloth bar wrap.

Love this bike and especially while on Sat. group rides when the fast kids are on modern high zoot bikes. Have to say and I do grin when they compliment the 'old school' and as raced look. Hard to explain but it seems to say 'thanks for the respect'!

This particular bike is all race business, no fancy graphics or loud color paint. Just plain silver with white letters of the brand. That's all.

Funny and the contrary is when I show up to these rides on something fresher or painted, the reactions are meh and the snub of 'get a new bike, man'.

Repainting a vintage bicycle is an absolute last resort issue for my. I can best explain my reasoning if you take the time to look through Should I Paint My Bike?

Simply put, a bike can be original only one time but it can be repainted, sometimes at considerable cost, thousands of times. A repainted bike will never have the collectible value of one that is original. A repainted bike might not actually be what it is purported to be by the seller (put another way, buyer beware).

Touch up, for preservation purposes, is a good idea, providing that there are not a lot of paint chips or blemishes.