03-25-2022, 01:30 AM
(03-24-2022, 01:45 AM)ReapThaWhirlwind Wrote: Do you get these refinished with new paint?
How much does that run you?
If you are referring to the head badge; I really have no idea since I've never done it. I have touched up some badges with nail polish or enamel spray paint applied with an artist's brush. Some old badges had a porcelain enamel which would chip off if abused. At this point I have no idea as to the actual color scheme, or if it even had any. The only color on it is a little corrosion.
As far as the frame is concerned, if you have a professional complete strip down and single color repaint (not powder coat) with a clear coat applied it generally costs about $250 on the cheap end, and up to $400 for a high quality job. Basic striping and/or color contrasting lugs runs the price up another $100-$200 or so depending how much work is entailed. Some of those fancy 80s and 90s paint jobs would cost $1000-$2000 or more to restore; there is a reason why many of those frames alone cost $2000 to $3000 when purchased new (paint on this bike is a good example: https://forums.bikeride.com/thread-6775.html?highlight=colnago+mexico). A good reason to find a nicely preserved example which requires little. It wasn't cheap for the manufacturers either; custom paintwork was done outside the factory by renowned paint shops. The Chesini Gran Premio I still have was a custom paint job; fairly simple, but probably $600-$800 to duplicate. I already know that the frame will sell for $500 (I've had offers already) alone due to the quality custom paint job. Since I doubt I would come across any reproduction decals I doubt that I would pursue that option. I could have the decals masked-off, but it would look odd with old decals and a new paint job. Plus the cost would not be any less, and possibly more. Another option if I can find color matching paint is to touch it up, but it would appear (I don't have the bike in hand yet) that it would need a substantial amount of paint, and again it would look odd with a bunch of new touch paint surrounded by old paint. Last option is to leave it alone (probably the best option, and my go to in most cases) since the actual value on a very old bike lies in its original livery and many frown (that would be me!) on trying to restore an old bike where there are few examples existing regardless of aesthetics. My 1936 Baggi has a hand painted down tube logo; not a good idea to mess with it at all! I will certainly arrest any rust on the frame and possibly do a "patina touch-up" in those areas which will still maintain an old weathered look while protecting from further corrosion. If this was an 80s or newer bike (but not rare) in that condition I'd go the paint job route decals or not.
Bike frames cost more to paint than a motorcycle frame due to it being the center of attention, whereas motorcycle frames are for the most part obscured by components, fairings, motor, etc. I could get a bare motorcycle frame painted for under $200 no problem (most are black or silver).
(03-24-2022, 06:05 AM)Painkiller Wrote: probably what I miss the most are quality head badges, very nice
Some companies (e.g. Fondriest) seem to be bringing them back. They certainly are somewhat of a lost art both in design and advertising. One of the best bikes I saw had the head badge and a seat tube badge; Capo, very sharp (https://bikerecyclery.com/1960-capo-sieger-30th-anniversary-bicycle-original-parts-1940s-brooks-b17-ambrosio-adjustable-stem-record-open-c-shifters-56cm-beyond-rare/). I do like Chesini's (and some others) method of engraving the badge into the head tube; no worries about losing it or wearing off like a decal.
![[-]](https://forums.bikeride.com/images/flatty/collapse.png "[-]")
