Kenevans restoration.
 

I bought a nice old Kenevans last week off ebay for a really good price. It came with a Shimano 600 groupset in average condition. The previous owner had obviously repainted it a horrible purple colour, and made some REALLY dodgy homemade glitter decals for it. So the restoration begins.
I'm picking up some decals from Cyclomondo soon, and I'm also giving it a new paint job, but I was wondering a few things. A powdercoat seems to be the way to go because it's cheap and durable, but if I were to go the powdercoat route, would there still be nice detail on the lugs, and on the nice Kenevans 'K' stamp on the fork crowns, or is a powdercoat thicker then a wet paint job?

Also, is there anyway that I could identify the tubing for it?

Thanks, photos coming soon!

From pictures I have seen and what I have read powdercoat can look thick. I have seen mixed results, some look way to thick and plugged up, some look better but not as thin as paint. I have also read a post from Dr. Delton warning that the powdercoat pulls back very very slightly around the lugs and may eventually cause rust. I wouldn't expect perfection from powdercoat, but the cost can make it an easy comprimise. I imagine it is important to find someone who does mostly bike frames to get the best results. I think you can powder, then apply the decals, then have it clear coated and that eliminates the rust issue, but i'm not certain.

Check out the images in this thread to see examples of lugged frames that have been powdercoated:
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...856&highlight=

-Matt

I think you will be very pleased with your decals. I bought some from the same seller and they look great!

cant wait to see it. i have Kenevans,, 531, 8sp campy. i have recently had a guericotti frame powder coated and it came up great. i too used cyclmondos decal which are fantastic! good luck

Thanks for the help and advice. A friend of mine recently got this bike powdercoated for a really good price, and it came out looking really clean. I'm getting mine done sometime next week from the same guy that did his bike. I managed to hunt down a Sante braze-on FD for it, so I just need to find a few more parts (seatpost, bars, stem, pedals, etc)

I'll post some before/after pictures when it's all done.

I'm still trying to find out what tubing would have been used if it's possible. The frame uses a 27.2 seatpost, is there anyway to find out? If I had Kens details I would contact him, but I don't.

I can vouch for Cyclemondo's decals as well; they are quality items. Hope to see the finished frame soon.

hey, just following up how this project is coming along? would be great to see some pics

Pretty sure this is the bike in question:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3368/...bd6423d9_b.jpg