Andy_K 

The thing I like about repainting is that it gives you an opportunity to add things like water bottle bosses. Powder coating is cheap and durable. It's also difficult to undo, so I try not to do it on anything that seems special. I guess we all have a different line for what's special. I powder coated a late 80's Bianchi Mondiale. I went for professional paint on a 70's Stella SX-76, both with bad paint when I got them. I re-sold a '73 Raleigh International that had decent paint because I couldn't modify it the way I would have liked without destroying the paint and I knew someone would love it the way it was. I'd probably powder coat an International that needed new paint. I know some people hate powder coat, but I'm not one of them.

​

mstateglfr 

Spray paint can be poorly done, be soft, be easily damaged, etc.
But that doesnt mean spray paint will be poorly done, be soft, be easily damaged, etc.

Spray paint can absolutely give great results that look good and last. Some 2 part primer, spray paint, and 2 part clear coat can give you a finish that is durable and lasts.

roadcrankr

Hopefully you kept the original right-side shifter. Those ones with the open 'C' in Campagnolo are nearly impossible to find.
Painting your Frejus could prove costly, because I recommend rechroming. Hunt down the proper decals, as well.

abdon 

Yeah, I did that with my trek 720 including the frame mods and could not be happier. It was still cheaper than buying a brand new (and to me inferior) Surly long haul trucker frame.

But on my vintage riders, after cycling through many bikes I have learned that it is cheaper to buy a bike in better condition and paint is a gigantic commitment in money and effort. I still pick bikes that need a ton of work because I like working on bikes but it pays to just let go of a bike with mediocre paint and then find one with a better finish.

purpurite

Unfortunately, what's there in the photos is what I have to work with. Every piece of the puzzle is an adventure!

SwimmerMike 

@cinelliguy and I had this conversation 2 weeks ago. I've been debating how to handle my 1950 Hetchins, I had gone back and forth on what to do about the "patina' and in talking to him it became clear to me that I would be happiest if I just clean it up as best as I could to stop any additional deterioration, build it up, ride it, then decide if I need/want to restore the frame. I can always restore the frame, but I can't always bring it back to its current state.

iab

Depends. Every bike will be a new choice. In the end, probably doesn't matter.

But let's not fool ourselves. Restoring a bike "to like factory new" is a fallacy unless you are using the same primer, paint, chrome and decals from 50 years ago. All you really get is a new-looking bike. Nothing wrong with that either.

zandoval 

Youtube Patina restoration for cars to get ideas. A wipe down after detailed cleaning with a 50:50 mix of Linseed Oil and Denatured Alcohol can do wonders. But remember that Linseed Oil needs sunlight to dry right. Or you can do a wipe down with Penitrol. Remember it will be a long wait to dry but it will look nice, save your patina, and protect whats left of the finish and even the bare metal.

Personally, I think of paint on my bike as a layer of protection. A nice thick layer of enamel suits me just fine.

reissue59

Like some mentioned, i buy good condition frames and i pay extra for that.
for a frame that i want that is trash, i spend the money to have it to MY taste

repechage

‘we were lucky. Last two years were “in studio” , “junior year” which was a laugh as everyone had senior level of units - a big studio with key, everyone had a desk, there were a few personal coffeemakers.
Final year, a two person office studio, grad student level digs. Complete coffee control.

RB1-luvr

I like both restored and preserved. Lately I'm having fun riding the Marinoni rust bucket, though I might have it restored someday.

jonwvara 

I find it easy to decide not to repaint, because that decision is easily reversible. Deciding to repaint, on the other hand--and then actually repainting-- is irreversible. Not repainting is a good way to keep your options open. Who knows? Postpone repainting for a few years and you may learn to like patina. What's the rush?

SJX426 

If I have any doubts about repaint, I don't. I agree that there are a lot of preserved copies existing for the ones I have but the effort is too much and really it is only original once.
The Montello finish is quickly degrading. and It actually looks better without the degraded translucent final finish. Not original anymore but its still is acceptable as a work in progress. It is pretty only in the mind with clues from the current state. If I was to make the finish uniform, it would be nearly equivalent to a repaint.
Top tube is an example of what is under the deteriorating grey seen on the seat tube. The long-departed decals left ghost graphics. The down tube is now cleaned nearly to the FD>
PXL_20220301_124340872 , on Flickr

The Colnago is a scratch mess. Not going to do anything to it. this is an example of the rest of the frame and fork.
P9201315 on Flickr

The Bianchi has a number of frame "damage" sections. Two holes drilled into the top tube for internal brake routing, not even traditional locations. The DS chain stay also has damage. I filled the holes and accepted the bike as is. I do get positive comments of its appearance which compensates. Celest is near impossible to match for this vintage.
PXL_20220812_183531128 on Flickr
PXL_20220923_120245705 on Flickr
I have not done anything to this problem. New coat of blue paint to cove is an option. I think this should be left alone.
PXL_20220925_112356972 on Flickr

From a distance, the bike looks acceptable.
2022-12-07_04-22-24 on Flickr

As does the Colnago.
1983 Colnago Superissimo on Flickr

The Frejus is a decision challenge. Got to get the seat post out so I can ride it.
PXL_20221115_180109829 on Flickr

zandoval 

Note: Rustolium International Safety Green Oil Base Gloss Enamel is a very close match. It also comes in Rattle Cans for touch ups...



The picture does not exactly match the actual color.

SJX426 

@zandoval - I will check it out but I find most are close but not spot on. With possibly 52 years of sun exposure, even the original paint source would be off!
Appreciate you pointing it out. Rumor has it that they mixed the paint as they needed it and the variations occurred with each batch.

Classtime 

It’s hard to see all the rust until you remove the paint.


Not really my size.



No turning back now.

And some sights are best unseen.

Kilroy1988 

There's a collector and enthusiastic rider in England named Giles, who you can find on Facebook or Instagram under his business/artist title GB Vintage Lightweight Cycles.

Giles collects mostly rough looking 1930s-1950s British racing bicycles and prefers ones with original paint and lots of patina.

However, when he does come across a repainted frame that he fancies, he typically strips the paint off to find out if the original paint lurks beneath - even if it's brand new and beautiful - or else does a backwards "patinization" process to make it look old and gritty again.

To each their own, indeed!

-Gregory

chain_whipped

Funny but observe 'how the preserve at all cost' individuals, certainly admired repaints and vote as some of the best at the bigger classic bikes events/ CR Cirque, etc.. They'll even overlook the beautiful repaint, yet critique the brake cables routing under the handlebars or the tires labeling is incorrectly positioned upon mounting.

Examples include the work and art by Joe Bell, Jim Cunningham to even the late Brian Baylis.

Its all in ones state of mind including market value influence.

If you like a tattered rusty chipped and scratched paint on a classic, because the market value says its worth more and believe its only original once, then have at it.

BMC_Kid 

Well, both my Zullo and Tesch were full repaints even though the paint was not too bad. The Zullo was purple and the Tesch was neon green and pink! You would never have seen me on that color of frame, I guarantee it. The Zullo purple was not bad but I wanted a yellow bike and the Zullo came at the right time. In the process of getting the chrome done, I settled on orange instead of yellow and have been happy with the decision ever since. The Zullo’s chrome is all new as it never was chromed but I wanted it to look like the Zullos of my young adulthood memory.





The bike shop that I went to growing up as kid sold Miyata, Zullo, Tommasini, and Picchio. My first bike that I bought with my hard earned summer job money was a Miyata Pro that was the only “higher end” bike I could afford. I paid $600 for it in 1984. The Zullo, Picchio, and Tommasini were only dreams back then. I still have my Miyata Pro. Got my Zullo. And a few days ago, got my Picchio off eBay. To make things easy, the buyer is located in my hometown, so this bike could very well have been one of those exact bikes that I remember lusting after. I do remember this color being sold in addition the the bluish-purple, and a wine-red one that I vividly recall.



The Picchio will get a full repaint and probably chrome matching that of my Zullo. No, it will certainly not be original but it’s not a rare or valuable bike, so what’s the issue? Now to decide what color! It will get an 11-speed Athena group similar to the Zullo.

Here’s the Zullo that I lusted after. That yellow was burns into my memory but funny how what seemed the bees knees back in the day, just didn’t do it for me later down the road.




Getting back the Zullo, I thought the basic unbordered white lettering was a bit bland, so Imhad my painter add a thin gold bolder to match the gold stripping transition between orange paint and chrome. At the last minute, I thought a drop shadow would look cool, so I had that added. Here’s the result:




I even got Tiziano’s blessing; he said it looked wonderful!

iab

So many assumptions, its hard to count.

repechage

way back when bikes were refinished for just
‘race” transit wear, the peroblem was always to me- how many components get replaced to make the reassembled whole look good.
blemishes like scratched levers, worn taps, straps , saddle, just stick out.

iab

Yes, but you went to design school and don't count.

Most racers consider a bike a tool, not a jewel and not vice versa. Quit conflating the two.

Chuck M 

My wife wanted me to paint her Bridgestone when I brought it home. It was so dirty she couldn't tell what color it was let alone tell if she liked it. But other than some scratches, once it was cleaned up, she was happy with it and I didn't spend more time or money than the bike is worth so I am happy.


This Carabela is a $15 parts bike. I tore it down recently to harvest the parts. The rust is beyond pretending it is patina and it also falls well into the category of repainting costing more than it is worth. But for the want of a winter project, I may give it a randyjawa style paint job or variation thereof and put it back together. Even though I hate painting I'm betting on this bike in red with the safety levers and big chrome spoke protector making me happy.


Ain't nothin' wrong being happy with your bikes.

repechage

shows how forgiving lugged construction is. Yes, often when the “intact” paint is off, the evil progression of time presents itself.