So I recently purchased a Bianchi Brava from a garage sale for $50 and have a few questions. I want to know what year mine actually is and the value. Also it has a small amount of rust and some of the decals are coming off. Would it be ok to repaint it and get new decals or will that ruin the value because it's not original? Any help is aprreciated.

Just realized I put this in the wrong section. If someone could move it that would be helpful.

Without pictures, it will be hard to tell the year (and the value), but you got a great bargain for $50 and it is probably mid to late 80s. Columbus frame, sports/touring geometry.

As for value, it will not just ruin it, it will destroy it unless you repaint in an original color, using a quality repainter and buy replacement decals. By the time you do that, it would be cheaper to buy a high end Bianchi off of ebay.
Post pics please, but I'll bet the paint isn't that bad.

Yeah I realized that after I posted but didn't want to make another edit haha. I'm off to work now but I'll post pictures tonight or tomorrow sometime.

Ok so I took some pictures. If you need any of a specific area just let me know.https://img34.imageshack.us/g/dscn0584w.jpg/ Also, even though there isn't much, what are your guys tips for removing rust? Lime away, rust remover, steel wool etc.?

That bike needn't paint. You got a pretty smoking deal if I do say so myself. Celeste Bianchis are quite a hot commodity.

nice '89 Brava. alot of guys here use an acid bath oxicilic I think. but if it is just small spots I would use some scotchbrite, gently, and cover with some good clear nailpolish.

as for the value about $50 is what one of these last sold for. a good cleaning and some wax, maybe some new tires and it might fetch $100.

What does nail polish do for it?

after you clean the rust off the nailpolish seals it. you may never find a good touchup for that mint Celeste color

Yeah I've pretty much realized that so I'm just working on cleaning everything up and waxing it to make it look as good as possible.

Looks like we (well, you and my girlfriend once i surprise her with this) are bike twins. How did the rust removal work out?

And Bianchi Girl, will the current incarnation of official Bianchi celeste touch-up paint be too dark for this bike? I picked up some celeste cinelli cork tape as well but that's fairly dark in comparison as well and I might end up going with white tape instead.

This is what will be added/done to the bike before it is presented to her in a couple weekends:

- White selle turbo saddle
- 80mm silver quill stem
- NOS exage brakes w/white hoods and tire release buttons
- New Campy veloce silver brakes
- Celeste bar tape (or maybe white)
- MKS touring pedals with chrome cages and white straps
- removal of reflectors from wheels and stem
- removal of plastic chain guard on back wheel
- rust/paint splatter removal and clear nail polish coat
- big-time cleaning