don_87ST

I picked up a 1990ish Zunow Z-1 with a monotube stay in yellow paint with all the wild details. It’s in pretty nice shape with some scratches and chips. The top tube has 2 bare spots - approximately 0.25” and 0.50” in diameter. Everything is structurally sound. It’s a keeper.
I’ve always had Cannondales and take care of my bikes so I’ve never had to worry about rust. I’m not sure how to keep the bare steel spots from rusting. I’ve used Pledge to clean the dirt and salt from my frames/components for the past 30 years and it worked great on keeping my 2 Cannondales looking like new despite riding in rain and snow.. Should I continue with using this method for the Zunow or use a thicker car wax? I don’t ride it in the rain or snow.
I was thinking about getting a restoration repaint, but I’m worried about the level of details and intricacies/engravings on the bike. I’m still riding and enjoying it - just thinking about the future preservation. Any help/comments are welcome. Thanks.

bikemig 

You can always touch up the paint but it obviously won't be an exact match. I did a heavy touch up on a 1992 Stumpjumper I just rebuilt that was missing a fair amount of paint. I used a rustoleum flat white as the first coat and a yellow model paint as the 2d. Not great but very acceptable IMO.

don_87ST

Thanks. If it were just a simple solid paint scheme, I’d agree with you. The bike is rare and the paint is really exquisite. I see my options as either a repaint or somehow protecting the bare spots from rust. I don’t feel that touchups with paint would work. I wish I could post pics, but I need my 10 posts first.

obrentharris 

I would not repaint one of the fancy Zunows unless the rusted area was greater than the painted area.
Fabulous paint jobs! Automotive paste wax over your small areas of bare metal, frequently re-applied, would be my approach.
Brent

Triplecrank92

It’s gonna take some pics first to get more opinions! Make 5 more posts & then you’re golden. Zunows have snazzy paint jobs so we all want to see it!

bwilli88 

I have a Zunow, it has been repainted and has none of the original paint details nor the decals. I am thinking about selling or keeping it. If I keep it I need to replace the top tube to ride it. If I sell it will be sold with all the flaws identified.

Paint enough to prevent rust and ride it.

P!N20

Really? Because of a few dings? I can't see any dents in the photos you've posted of it, so they are either very small or you're very good at photography.

bwilli88 

The problem is a hole in the top tube about 4" from the head tube on the bottom.

don_87ST

How did that happen? Was the top tube drilled for the cable and water collected in there?

bwilli88 

It was in horrible condition when I got it.





This bike must have sat outside for some time. It came to Cambodia from Japan via Vietnam. It had a hard life as most of the components were fairly rusty and almost inoperative. I got it for $80

Here is what it looked like just before I sent it back to the states

Catnap 

I'm assuming the OP has a Zunow in the Puntous Sisters colorway (below photo is not my bike):


If so, I'd also recommend against a repaint. I have a Z-1 R (special version with the monostay and curved chainstays/seatstays) in the same colorway. Similar issues with chips and scratches. While there are painters capable of reproducing some of the crazier Zunow colorways, I agree with the other folks suggesting you keep it original. Just paint over the chips with a little clear nail polish, to prevent them from rusting.

I have had one Zunow professionally repainted. It is a Z-1 fixed gear from 1984, which was when Zunow's logos and lugs were using the spade symbol. This is before they moved to the wild color schemes and the more ornate, modernist designs seen in the late 80s / early 90s. I had the frame painted gloss black with a subtle sparkle, re-chromed the fork, and Velocals supplied the decals. It came out beautifully, if a little over budget (about $600). I've since built it up with a matching black anodized Zunow stem, Zunow headset, Zunow bottom bracket, carbon Zunow seat post, and Zunow saddle. It lives on the wall alongside a couple other Zunow frames I have.

i've got another Z-1 track incoming from Japan, along with a 650B Zunow KYGM randonneur from the early 70s. The KYGM looks truly haggard so it'll be a full restore for that one. The Z-1 looks OK; will have to see when it arrives. I got them both amazingly cheap from a vendor on Yahoo Japan who seems to run either a junk shop or pawn shop (do they have those in Japan?). Of course, shipping on each is going to be around $400+... I also have a Z-1 Pro-Form (the one with aero tubing and webbing like a Cinelli Laser) that I got in totally stripped condition. Once I find a painter who I trust to pull off really complex jobs, I'm going to have that one repainted in either the Puntous colorway, or the famous (hideous) pink zebra-stripe that Zunow is known for.

coolmind

Can you upload some photos ?
Welcome.

bwilli88 

Can you post a few pics and possibly the serial numbers with any date that you know?

don_87ST

Thanks for the clear nail polish advice. First time uploading pics, so I apologize if they’re too big. The color is not that wild, but I like it. I’m going over the bike right now so I can put on some miles over the weekend. Thanks everyone for your posts.

Shimano 600 components with dura ace ax stem and crankset. Seems to be original.

Rocket-Sauce 

Man, that bike is H-O-T!

But those pedals! I don't think you could have fund anything uglier...

don_87ST

I’d agree, but they are freakin awesome for my knees. Being able to bike longer distances with no pain versus being fashionable, I’ll take the ugly pedals. 😉

randyjawa 

To the OP. Repainting that bicycle would be a big mistake, in my opinion. A bit of touch up, to prevent oxidation, would be acceptable.

xiaoman1 

WAX-ON, WAX-OFF.....IMHO, No repaint is necessary.
Best, Ben

obrentharris 

Hmm... Looks like it might be my size. If you ever decide you just can't stand that paint job I'm here for you!
Enjoy!
Brent

don_87ST

Noted. I’ll keep the ugly pedals for myself though. 😁

francophile 

Classic case of where pics are crucial. Had I gone by your verbal description, I was thinking there was a significant void where the paint had been fully rubbed down to bare metal in spots the size of a dime or penny. Clearly not the case.

You'd be nuts to repaint that bike. Take the advice above from Brent. Nailed it.

GrainBrain

Beautiful bike! Are your brake QR's in the open position?

pcb 

I am firmly libertarian in my strongly-held belief that whatever you want to do with a frameset you own is A-OK. No head-shaking from me on that score.

That said, if OP's frame were mine, I would not at all be tempted to repaint it, especially given that part of a Zunow's personality is the paint/graphics, most especially for the rowdier ones, and the rest of the paint looks pretty good overall. I'd be more tempted, t'were it mine, if it was a less striking single-paint finish, and/or the overall paint condition was much worse, and especially, as is the case with the later poster, if there's significant frame damage requiring tube replacement. All bets off there.

don_87ST

yes they are. I’m running new brake and derailleur cables, new chain, and greasing the seatpost and stem before going for a longer ride. Hubs and bottom bracket spun freely so I’m leaving that alone for now. It’s not ride ready yet.
Thanks for all the good advice. I’ll go with the wax and clear nail polish. Hmmmn maybe my wife should have said that.

Catnap 

that is probably the original group that came on the bike, they are from the same time period.

i like to think i have a discerning eye when it comes to Zunows, and I can almost always tell a repaint by the lugs. Zunows of the era of the OP's bike have more fanciful designs whereas the older ones have the spade cutouts. Or older still, French Nervex lugs. When I see one of the older Zunows repainted in a single color, it looks great. But when I see one of the 90s era like that, it bums me out because I can't help but wonder what amazing neon nightmare the original paint was.