Opinions: Repaint or touch it up?
 

I’m not sure what to do with this Serotta, it’s going to be a rider but I’m concerned about the rust. My gut tells me to media blast it and paint it red. I tried taking care of the rust I could see but I don’t think it’s good enough.






https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...8cb5d893f.jpeg
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...d41436aea.jpeg
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...da2d601bc.jpeg

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The paint scheme is pretty ugly, though representative of the era. I'd take the opportunity to go with something more classy. Solid color to show off the nice frame details.

Lotta chain slap going on there! Tough one. Keeper or flipper? My guess is keeper otherwise you would not ask the question!
Two of my bikes are in equal or worse condition and I did not repaint because they... I can't make up my mind and I think they have value with their Patina. I would love to have them look new, but hanging used parts would be to much of a contrast.

Also, JMO but I never liked the full length brake cable with guides along the top tube. Since they are rusty, maybe replace them with cable stops off the side. Much tidier.:thumb:

I think I would be in favor of painting, as long as it's done well. It's a nice frame.
Interesting that the chainstay is open on the end. Is it like that on both sides? Is that a Serotta thing?

I’d strip and repaint, if it were mine. Cost is definitely a factor, but a nice frame like that is worthy, IMO, as long as you can find someone to do it for a reasonable cost.

FWIW I sent a CL sourced Marinoni frameset (in similar condition) to the Marinoni workshop, and they completely refinished it for about $400, including some extra brazing/mods.
So, it may be worth reaching out to Serotta to see if they can refurb it for reasonable money.

This is going to be a rider...
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...5a3b324bf5.jpg

I painted it with a brush and will apply art pretty soon (perhaps today). Including art, paint, thinner, brush and masking tape, less than a hundred bucks (add Ontario's tax to that and my stupidity - longer story)...
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...c41f6fa711.jpg

If it were to be a wall hanger with collectable value, then a brush just might not do it. So, I used rattle can on this one. Total cost, including art, close to $200.00 CND...
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...990b3bd509.jpg

I prefer to do my own work and it is not all that difficult to paint a bike (no offense, but the original paint on the Serotta was pooey stinko to begin with - paint it!). I actually started and am still adding to a thread showing how to paint a bike with a brush.

Do not expect professional quality. But expect something that looks just fine and works well as a rider. Painted this with a brush also...
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...9864cd7bfe.jpg

I’ve painted a few frames, no problem there.

i've used permatex rust converter on some appliances with rusty spots. while i've not painted over it, the primer coating it made has still stopped the rust... contrary to what others have told me..ie. "it won't work"

ps. that one cable guide is the only real trouble spot, imo. clean the paint off and treat that rust

That’s a repaint!
Tim

Have you ridden it enough to know you want to keep it? If not, build it up and ride it for a couple months, long enough to form a judgment based on more than the excitement and novelty of a new toy. If it isn't a keeper, move it along and you haven't sunk any effort and/or money. If it's a keeper, strip it and paint it. You doing it or having it done by a pro is up to you.

It's a good frame and worthy of love, attention and many more miles. But It's not like it's a one-of-a-kind collaboration between Cino Cinelli, Rene Herse, Ron Cooper and Mother Teresa, made-to-measure for the Pope and made of double-butted Angel's Breath; "it's only original once" doesn't enter into it unless you want it to. It's your bike, make it look the way you want it to look.

That NDS chain stay still looks bent.

Thats the way the frame was designed, I’ll get a better pic of it later.

They are not opened, just recessed really deep.

So it’s going in the media cabinet soon. I’ll figure out what to do with the cable guides once all the paint and rust is off. If they are not salvageable I’ll probably to an internal route. I did it once on a Ciocc and liked how it turned out.

what color/s are you going with?

I think I'd be a repaint on this one, particularly since you can do it yourself.

+1 on strip/blast and repaint.

Serotta Competition Cycles shut down 5-6yrs ago, and I'm not sure Ben Serotta's new custom-frame business is doing any refinishing work. Looking at his website and the frames/bikes he's offering, I kind of doubt it. If he is, it doesn't feel like it'd be a coupla-/few-hundred bucks respray. His new gig has a very premium vibe.

Painting the frame is not going to be a problem. When I first got into the hobby I was painting everything. After awhile I started to appreciate the original patina of the vintage frames. I don’t mind scratches and chips, but I don’t think this frame will last long without taking care of the rust issues.

When randyjawa said that Serotta paint was not that good, my knee jerk reaction was "no way, it's Imron". After thinking about it for a few days, Serotta was in the business of building frames made for racing and as a result, paint may not have been as good or thick as other frames. My Serotta had a number of paint chips and I was really careful with it. It is as if there was no primer on the steel. So, Randy, I cannot go against your experience. If you say the paint was not so good, I think you're right. And the paint missing on this frame supports you statement.

sloar since you will be painting it, keep the pictures coming. I think that while that paint is original, it is not a great looking paint scheme. A one color paint job will look better. The decals are available from SSSink. I think there may be other sources as well. The SSSink decals are delicate because they are thinner and are OEM quality. That also means that they they are trickier to apply.

I wouldn't mind seeing the frame with all the paint removed. I also believe that Serotta's brazing and clean up was excellent. I am prejudice, Serotta has a golden halo with me.

If there are file marks and body filler, I wouldn't think less of Ben and the team. The point of these frames is light and competitive.

what's the point of the bent stay?