I have been waffling on this for a number of years. OK as long as I have had the bike!

My first impression when finding it was, "Wow, a top-of-the-line Pinarello with DA!." Along with the idea of flipping it. Then I took it for a test drive. Keeper!

I was curious about the paint condition. I even thought the decals were still on and white! Much was revealed after stripping it down and cleaning it up.
Like the wise say, ride it first then determine what you want to do.

Ride it I have with maybe 6k miles or more. It was my main ride to work for a couple of years. Then we moved in 2017 and commuting was not an option. 80 mile commute round trip into DC is not something I am willing to do.
The condition is worse now then when acquired. I know, its my bike and I can do what I want with it and yes there really isn't a shortage of Pinarello Montello's.

The decision is mine, but I value the input of the folks on this form. Let me have them. Wax doesn't appear to make much difference. I did get some Renaissance wax and may try that out.

If you have experience with this finish, please help me understand it. The final coat looks like it was a translucent pearlescent like clear coat. It looks like it is oxidizing. What is interesting is that it may have been over the decals because there isn't any under the ones that fell off. Begs the question of why the fell off!
Were the decals originally independent letters? Are replacements the same font exactly or would the ghost image show the differences?

Should be a poll but don't know how to create it.

Detail pics can be found here

CConversion95 on Flickr

I am often in the minority in these discussions, but that paint would not bother me. I love well-earned patina. It is why these objects were created. The only thing that bothers me on a frame is dents and I can get by those for special frames (my Tesch Allez). I also have a Pinarello Montello and it is consistently one of my most ridden bikes. Removing that DA 7400 crank and rear derailleur is worse than that paint (I kid, I kid...but they are some of my favorite looking components)

I would keep it as-is, if it were mine. I have repainted one bike myself and paid for a professional job on one other (both coincidentally Capo Modell Campagnolos, and both had been repainted in the past). The latter looks stunning, but the paint job was quite a splurge for me. (Blame my Scots DNA.)

Okay, here goes. Keep in mind that my opinion is worth exactly what you are paying for it.

I'd probably repaint it because (1) the original finish is sort-of unfinishing itself, (2) I'm not particularly enamored of the color scheme, even if it were showroom fresh, which it isn't, and (3) I'm a godless heretic - Pastor Bob has tried, but I remain unrepentant and unsaved.

Hey, if it's one of you main riders, why not gift it with a shiny new coat? Make it look exactly how you want it to look. And the price will be a bit lower than usual since you don't have to paint the fork.

As for repro decals (okay, they're actually stickers, but nice ones), Greg Softly at cyclomondo.net has a couple of Pinerello sets that might do the trick. His prices are reasonable, and he gets stuff to you pretty quickly even though he is in Australia. Joe Bob says check it out.

I'd give it a coat of KBS DiamondFinish and leave it at that.

Looks good to me


I acquired this at the Trexlertown swap meet in 2012. I’m still not certain if I lost out on the deal trading a cool suicide front shifter for it. It is a good looking frame and rides nice.

this is tough one..... is riding it the way it is going to bug you? then repaint,

but then the question is: good quality auto paint job or good quality powder coat .....I.e how much are you willing to put in to it, cost wise. also in question is what local resources you have.

note I did not include DIY rattle can, as the result can be stunning, but the durability sucks.....this could be an option if you can DIY with auto paint, but a proper paint job is a lot of work (strip frame 100% of old paint, acid etch primer, sandable primer, sanding, multiple color coats within recoat times, multiple clear coats)

personally, I like how it looks for a reason I can't quantify, it just looks cool. and has bonus of be a bit of camouflage to the bikes value as you sit drinking coffee at your local cafe

I'm ok leaving it as is until you said you see some signs of oxidization. Then I am in team repaint. If it is a keeper, then the rainbow of doing whatever color you want to it is there for the takings.

I have a frame that was made by an extremely well thought of builder and there was clear signs of oxidization and rusting under the paint. I had it redone with the Groody Brothers when they were early in their business (we're friends and I'd visit their shop back then), when they stripped and lightly media blasted, there was clear signs of pitting in some locations of the tubing. So I feel justified and like I saved the frame too. Mark's (Groody Brothers) skills are even better now then back then so I'd highly recommend him if you went that route. He's doing it out of Topeka, KS now.

I also have a lugged Trek road bike that all sorts of chips and scratches, but no rust is really showing, so I just carry on as is until something would prompt me to do so I've certainly approached this problem from both directions.

If its not going to interfere with your ride time, and your locked in with nothing better to do, Go for it!

A nice little winter project can be fun, Fun, FUN!

Also, this is a proven bicycle, and you are going to take it apart and inspect and tune every little component of its composition there by making it an even better and more personal bicycle.

If the bike is "a keeper" my policy is to turn it over to Jack Trumbull (owner of Franklin Frame). Cycling and bicycles are not a math equation for me. I know what makes my heart skip a beat when I see it and love the state of grace achieved when riding a well sorted steel bike. When I look at or ride one of my bikes, especially those that have passed thru Jack's hands, monetary and time costs are irrelevant. In summation, put me down for have it rehabbed & painted by someone who is at the top of their game.

That said, I have bikes that are sorely in need of restoration and paint but their role in my fleet is that of a workhorse, not a racehorse. They do not get any special treatment as described above. IE, point to point rides like Ride Across INdiana that require me to bring a blanket for my bike because they're gonna put it the back of a box truck with hundreds of others? I got bikes for that too.

[MENTION=460171]Shrevvy[/MENTION] - I did leave the DA group on for a number of years, just changed this year. I can say that it is a sweet group. I don't care for the DA crank aesthetics though. There is a Chorus crank with similar design I don't care for either. No dents, all chrome frame set.
[MENTION=531]John E[/MENTION] - It is a lot less effort to keep as is. I already have three frames that need paint, one in primer level now.
[MENTION=46382]bikingshearer[/MENTION] - Some good points that I have considered. Part of "there are plenty of these around" thinking.
[MENTION=546407]RayHenry[/MENTION] - have you done that, and do you have pics and more info?
[MENTION=159681]Bianchigirll[/MENTION] - LOL I think I have one close to that
P1040796 on Flickr
[MENTION=61707]squirtdad[/MENTION] - I am with you except PC which is dependent on who can do a wet like finish. Actually, I wouldn't consider PC for this one, maybe the Trek 610. 610 was stripped because of a really bad rattle can paint job. I have spray equipment but not a booth. Would need to set up a temporary one. Part of the hesitancy, more work. There are times that the colorway works for me, looks best when new. I really like the appearance of the finish in this pic and the BB too. The bike colors would not look good without the top coat, too bright.
P1020153 on Flickr
[MENTION=200311]mechanicmatt[/MENTION] - One of the reasons the other Pinarello was stripped was rust under the paint. Same with the Burley Duet. Both in the queue for paint.

.
...I'm not real nostalgic about Italian paint and decals from the time period of this bicycle. I would strip, repaint, and re-sticker that bike in a heartbeat. Then clear over everything with 2 part urethane. There are translucent pearlescent paints available in spray cans from companies like Testor's (at hobby shops). If you want that effect, it's not difficult to achieve, but I wouldn't do it over the decals.

Beautiful bike!

On a related topic -- I thought we all agreed that the triangular Columbus sticker was coming off of the fork. I'll check the meeting notes.

I do not, nor do I have pictures. however, I have sold a ton of that stuff exactly for that purpose, on bicycles, motorbikes, cars, gas pumps, anything where the owner wants to keep patina. Everyone has been very happy with the results. I'm hoping to find a bike with patina myself and treat it the same...

The only finish I believe to be similar in "distressed state" is the train wreck that was the Casati's original paint. The remaining pink looked to be a pink-tinted clear with some sort of flakes suspended in it, giving the true finish a pearl look. The few spumoni Pinarellos I've seen in the flesh look to have an identical finish.

As the finish breaks down, you're left with the undercoat, and in my example the gold undercoat was dull and came off whenever the bike was handled. Pretty sure if I were to have built it up and ridden it, sweat dropping onto the frame would've hastened the remaining paint's demise even quicker. The Casati didn't fade uniformly, so I never even considered clear coating the frame to preserve things - I just gave up and sold it. Then bought it back, and of course you know I went paint-free in the end.

Here's a shot showing the original pink where the tubing transfer was; note the pink is somewhat glossy while the surrounding gold undercoat is matte - and rubbing off little by little on the top tube just ahead of the seat lug:



In your case, the paint looks good enough to clear over, with the exception of course being the top tube. Tough call, to be honest - it's an iconic finish, but fragile.

DD

I recently had a bike repainted by Jack at Franklin Frame and it came out nice. I bought the bike knowing it needed paint but rode it for a year before doing it simply because I wanted to be sure it was a keeper. I had it done the original color and decals because I really liked it before the new paint job. I just didn’t like all the “patina” on this particular bike. I have bikes that show their age and I am ok with it but I wanted this one nice. Jack did a great job , he is not the only one Ed Litten in the Bay Area also does very nice work, I have seen a few of his repaint. I am sure there are others .

My token “patina” bike
Not going to paint this one . I just kind of like the way the chrome pokes through the remnants of paint. For this bike , it works.

As a long term antique collector and restorer of vintage homes, I always choose patina. I figure it has taken decades to get to this point, so its earned it! The antique world is full of people that have taken $20,000 items, refinished them, and creates a nice, fresh, shiny item worth $500....

Now I will address rust which to me helps preserve the item.

in the end, it is your bike and you should feel free to do whatever YOU want!

I wouldn't paint it, but I am me--I am not you.

What I would say, though, is this: Put off painting it as long as you can. As long as it remains unpainted (is "unrepainted" a word?) you are impervious to regret. Once you finally do paint it, you may regret it, or may not. You won't know which until it's too late to go back.

I have had two frames repainted, and regretted it both times, so I'm probably not going down that road again.

Clean. wax and leave it alone would be my vote. Saves money and the well earned patina sported by the bike. Ride is for a while, or even for years. You can decide to paint anytime. For year, I have been thinking of painting my Legnano. Still thinking...

P1050224 on Flickr

Does this alter anyone's opinion? Taken within the last 10 min.


[MENTION=209177]3alarmer[/MENTION] - I get it. Not to crazy Italian paint quality either. Except the Bottecchia from 1972/3 looks pretty good.
[MENTION=549559]akbejeepin[/MENTION] - Thanks!
[MENTION=546407]RayHenry[/MENTION] - Thanks, will consider if I go that route.
[MENTION=168558]Drillium Dude[/MENTION] - Jeff, good info and useful. Yes it is the top tube that drives so much of the decision. It is a bit glaring ad the other tubes are starting the follow. I did like what you did with that bike. I did much the same with the 620, but now it has a coat of etching primer on it.
[MENTION=429288]Kabuki12[/MENTION] - most of the bikes in my stable show plenty of Patina up close. The De Rosa has a number of paint nicks with some of them touched up bu POs over time. But it looks pretty good from a distance that is acceptable, even in a clear noon sky! The Colnago is the same with plenty of scratches and even a missing paint spot about a quarter in size below the crown on the fork. Much like the bike in your photo above. This one is different.
[MENTION=109949]wrk101[/MENTION] - Got it. I have not even considered collector level considerations. There are enough of these around and it is past collector status other than many of those here who have a real passion for bikes. For me this is likely a real keeper. On that note, I regret every bike I sold! BTW, The Burley still has not been painted but is stripped and has replacement decals ready to go. It was upgraded to 7 speed in the back but otherwise is the same.
[MENTION=52458]jonwvara[/MENTION] - Good points. I have been putting it off. I will likely continue eventhough it is degrading. I have three other bikes that need paint so I should create the queue and stick to it then consider the Pin. Now that it has a triple, it will be used to help get back into shape. I have a couple of hills that are short but rather steep. Gearing is not that low on the other "racers" and the MTB isn't that much fun for the road.
[MENTION=84826]randyjawa[/MENTION] - I have paid attention to your contributions here and did read most of you web site when you still owned it. Thanks for your contribution here. I have the perspective that once a bike gets old enough, Patina becomes more acceptable. Look at [MENTION=57649]iab[/MENTION] bikes! They are so cool!

If I had that bike, I would want to have it painted. I get the worn in look, and sometimes it seems to work fine, but the way that finish has deteriorated and left the impression of what once was would make me want the original colors back. Chrome condition would be a big factor in the decision. Either way, it's a cool bike for sure.

Man I could go either way. I'd be just as fickled as you are with it. If you are having several painted though, see if you can get a bulk discount.

The lugs and everything are gorgeous, I could just as easily see a wax and see route.