Cinelli SC - touch up, repaint or leave it?
#26
Full Member

Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 208
Likes: 1
From: Berlin, Germany
i have a similar problem on a vintage frame in an impossible to match color. the rust was plenty, but small in diameter. i started by polishing with a buffing wheel. that removed the rust, but uncovered those black veins. i bought a glass fiber pen to get to the more stubborn spots and worked down to bare metal. at first i wanted to go the touch up route, but could not match the color for the life of me. regardless, in spots where i didn't even see surface rust, i had pitting below the paint.
i asked myself the same questions as the OT. in the end i decided to strip and repaint. i still agonize over the possibilty that MAYBE i could have gotten the bike built up quicker and with a lot less effort, but hey I want to ride in berlin germany and in the winter. rust can't be a problem. who knows if i will sell the bike or keep it forever, but a good repainted vintage frame can also fetch some serious coin. a serious buyer will always look at a rusty frame as just that. a frame which needs a lot of maintenance and or prep work to be restored. just my 2 cents.
i asked myself the same questions as the OT. in the end i decided to strip and repaint. i still agonize over the possibilty that MAYBE i could have gotten the bike built up quicker and with a lot less effort, but hey I want to ride in berlin germany and in the winter. rust can't be a problem. who knows if i will sell the bike or keep it forever, but a good repainted vintage frame can also fetch some serious coin. a serious buyer will always look at a rusty frame as just that. a frame which needs a lot of maintenance and or prep work to be restored. just my 2 cents.
#28
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,350
Likes: 4
From: Collegeville, PA
Bikes: Ruckelshaus Randonneur, Specialized Allez (early 90's, steel), Ruckelshaus Path Bomber currently being built
I've owned a Super Corsa and a Speciale Corsa, and personally, I'd repaint it if I were going to keep and ride it. It's not a "mint", completely original as it was purchased in the 60's bike as it is, so I think any perceived value in keeping the chips and dings is going to be minimal. Now, if it had 60's Nuovo Gran Sport, original wheels, etc., etc., I might have a different opinion.
Even repainted, it's still a one in a million bike that will get attention.
Pete
Even repainted, it's still a one in a million bike that will get attention.
Pete




