Rechroming my 1989 Pinarello Montello Columbus SLX frame
05-02-20, 01:59 PM
#1
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Rechroming my 1989 Pinarello Montello Columbus SLX frame
Hi there, I was wondering about rechroming my 1989 Pinarello Montello Columbus SLX frame. As the frame is presently the Spumoni paint scheme but is completely all chrome, after seeing some amazing restorations, I thought I may go that route rather than repainting the original colours.
It does look awesome. My question is right out of the best seller Rechroming Columbus SLX for Dummies... Where can I get info on the process and the pros and cons of going this route?
Thanks in Advance!!
It does look awesome. My question is right out of the best seller Rechroming Columbus SLX for Dummies... Where can I get info on the process and the pros and cons of going this route?
Thanks in Advance!!
05-02-20, 02:47 PM
#2
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Hi there, I was wondering about rechroming my 1989 Pinarello Montello Columbus SLX frame. As the frame is presently the Spumoni paint scheme but is completely all chrome, after seeing some amazing restorations, I thought I may go that route rather than repainting the original colours.
It does look awesome. My question is right out of the best seller Rechroming Columbus SLX for Dummies... Where can I get info on the process and the pros and cons of going this route?
Thanks in Advance!!
It does look awesome. My question is right out of the best seller Rechroming Columbus SLX for Dummies... Where can I get info on the process and the pros and cons of going this route?
Thanks in Advance!!
I would encourage you to at least call them for info, they are happy to help any way they can. (450) 471-7133
05-02-20, 03:11 PM
#3
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Again Marinoni is the way to go on this, chrome is a dying art, frames are typically not polished under the paint so it can be harder to restore frames like this.
I would encourage you to at least call them for info, they are happy to help any way they can. (450) 471-7133
I would encourage you to at least call them for info, they are happy to help any way they can. (450) 471-7133
It was the 4 colors they would have to paint plus shipping... ouch.
See pics.
05-02-20, 03:22 PM
#6
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They were originally tapped up in the handle bars and I got lazy when the weather turned nice so had to retape with crap tape quickly before the sun went in.
05-02-20, 03:25 PM
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Rechroming a frame involves alot of cost in Time and Money. If youre not local to a chrome plater you got to ship the frame and fork.
The chromer will strip off the old chrome and get it down to bare metal again. Once they copper plate it they will polish it to remove any imperfections. Once they have that done they will Nickle plate it ,inspect it and then into the chrome tank it goes. Once the frame and fork are done it gets shipped back to you .
Now the down side, IF the chromer is not expierenced on classic vintage bikes you might have some issues. The Pantographs have been known to "disappear" during aggressive polishing or the copper plate goes on too thick in areas you dont want it to be. The plater might also copper the inside of the head tube or the dropouts excessivly which means you got to get out the Dremel and go to work. Did I mention Time?? Chromers have a weird sense of time, If they tell you it will be done in a few weeks , they really mean a few months. Bicycle frames are a low priority if they make a living doing Production work. Communication is key.
Back in the day I had a few frames and forks chromed beautifully for about $75, Those days are gone but its hard to find a good chromer nowadays.
I recently had a Automoto chromed and it didnt cost me too much because Ive known the chromer for over 20 years. But you might be looking at $250 and up for a frame and fork.
The chromer will strip off the old chrome and get it down to bare metal again. Once they copper plate it they will polish it to remove any imperfections. Once they have that done they will Nickle plate it ,inspect it and then into the chrome tank it goes. Once the frame and fork are done it gets shipped back to you .
Now the down side, IF the chromer is not expierenced on classic vintage bikes you might have some issues. The Pantographs have been known to "disappear" during aggressive polishing or the copper plate goes on too thick in areas you dont want it to be. The plater might also copper the inside of the head tube or the dropouts excessivly which means you got to get out the Dremel and go to work. Did I mention Time?? Chromers have a weird sense of time, If they tell you it will be done in a few weeks , they really mean a few months. Bicycle frames are a low priority if they make a living doing Production work. Communication is key.
Back in the day I had a few frames and forks chromed beautifully for about $75, Those days are gone but its hard to find a good chromer nowadays.
I recently had a Automoto chromed and it didnt cost me too much because Ive known the chromer for over 20 years. But you might be looking at $250 and up for a frame and fork.
05-02-20, 03:31 PM
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Cool as heck but does not age well and poor biodegradable graphics are a shame.
That being said, I am with Wileyone , this is in very good shape all things considered, leave it but get new main decals and get/do a full careful scrub/detail/polish.
This will be great cleaned up and retain its original look for a long time to come, it will also preserve the value that a repaint will negate.
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05-02-20, 04:35 PM
#9
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Rechroming my 1989 Pinarello Montello Columbus SLX frame
Rechroming a frame involves alot of cost in Time and Money. If youre not local to a chrome plater you got to ship the frame and fork.
The chromer will strip off the old chrome and get it down to bare metal again. Once they copper plate it they will polish it to remove any imperfections. Once they have that done they will Nickle plate it ,inspect it and then into the chrome tank it goes. Once the frame and fork are done it gets shipped back to you .
Now the down side, IF the chromer is not expierenced on classic vintage bikes you might have some issues. The Pantographs have been known to "disappear" during aggressive polishing or the copper plate goes on too thick in areas you dont want it to be. The plater might also copper the inside of the head tube or the dropouts excessivly which means you got to get out the Dremel and go to work. Did I mention Time?? Chromers have a weird sense of time, If they tell you it will be done in a few weeks , they really mean a few months. Bicycle frames are a low priority if they make a living doing Production work. Communication is key.
Back in the day I had a few frames and forks chromed beautifully for about $75, Those days are gone but its hard to find a good chromer nowadays.
I recently had a Automoto chromed and it didnt cost me too much because Ive known the chromer for over 20 years. But you might be looking at $250 and up for a frame and fork.
The chromer will strip off the old chrome and get it down to bare metal again. Once they copper plate it they will polish it to remove any imperfections. Once they have that done they will Nickle plate it ,inspect it and then into the chrome tank it goes. Once the frame and fork are done it gets shipped back to you .
Now the down side, IF the chromer is not expierenced on classic vintage bikes you might have some issues. The Pantographs have been known to "disappear" during aggressive polishing or the copper plate goes on too thick in areas you dont want it to be. The plater might also copper the inside of the head tube or the dropouts excessivly which means you got to get out the Dremel and go to work. Did I mention Time?? Chromers have a weird sense of time, If they tell you it will be done in a few weeks , they really mean a few months. Bicycle frames are a low priority if they make a living doing Production work. Communication is key.
Back in the day I had a few frames and forks chromed beautifully for about $75, Those days are gone but its hard to find a good chromer nowadays.
I recently had a Automoto chromed and it didnt cost me too much because Ive known the chromer for over 20 years. But you might be looking at $250 and up for a frame and fork.
Thanks so much Manny. I would not have thought remind them about the lugs Campy stampings!
05-02-20, 04:43 PM
#10
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Rechroming my 1989 Pinarello Montello Columbus SLX frame
These are one of those that are an iconic oddity to me, when you see that paint, you know exactly what you are looking at.
Cool as heck but does not age well and poor biodegradable graphics are a shame.
That being said, I am with Wileyone , this is in very good shape all things considered, leave it but get new main decals and get/do a full careful scrub/detail/polish.
This will be great cleaned up and retain its original look for a long time to come, it will also preserve the value that a repaint will negate.
Cool as heck but does not age well and poor biodegradable graphics are a shame.
That being said, I am with Wileyone , this is in very good shape all things considered, leave it but get new main decals and get/do a full careful scrub/detail/polish.
This will be great cleaned up and retain its original look for a long time to come, it will also preserve the value that a repaint will negate.
I'm cleaning now and have ordered decals! They won' be here until June due to shipping delays so I will have time to decide...
05-02-20, 04:45 PM
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These are one of those that are an iconic oddity to me, when you see that paint, you know exactly what you are looking at.
Cool as heck but does not age well and poor biodegradable graphics are a shame.
That being said, I am with Wileyone , this is in very good shape all things considered, leave it but get new main decals and get/do a full careful scrub/detail/polish.
This will be great cleaned up and retain its original look for a long time to come, it will also preserve the value that a repaint will negate.
Cool as heck but does not age well and poor biodegradable graphics are a shame.
That being said, I am with Wileyone , this is in very good shape all things considered, leave it but get new main decals and get/do a full careful scrub/detail/polish.
This will be great cleaned up and retain its original look for a long time to come, it will also preserve the value that a repaint will negate.
I have a Pinarello Gavia TSX in red. My decals came off years ago. The chrome is not the greatest and the paint has chips here and there.
I re-- Decal'd it left and left it as is.
Today I rode 60 miles on it .
05-02-20, 05:02 PM
#12
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Rechroming my 1989 Pinarello Montello Columbus SLX frame
Beautiful bicycle, I always had a sweet spot for red. I ordered decals 1 week ago... it will be a while. back to spit and polish! Be safe out there.
05-02-20, 05:15 PM
#13
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Could I ask you where you got the cable assembly on the frame where the original shifters were attached. I would like to get new handle bar shifters too.
05-02-20, 06:04 PM
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It's my understanding that true chrome is becoming extinct because of the environmental issues with the chemicals involved. If you haven't already noticed, nearly nothing is truly chromed these days. For example, chrome wheels on cars used to be cook, but now they're all highly polished aluminum (not to mention the only chrome you'll see on a modern car is plastic and 'fake chrome'.) So what I'm saying is that to get your frame refinished, it's not going to be cheap!
05-02-20, 06:26 PM
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I would ride it as is, but then I'm a lover of patina.
Minor point - your color scheme is not spumoni, but Olympic Tribute colors commemorating USA's first ever Gold in the Road Race - 1984 in LA. Won by an immigrant Alexi Grewal. Yours is the 1985 SLX.
A few years back, I got an SL version from those painted in '84 immediately following the victory. I was at the 84 LA Games (not the cycling events).
Here is a pic from the road earlier this month. Decals are gone but for the outline. Lots of touch-up. The hardest touch-ups still to be done. Sure is a quick handler!
1985 Gita catalogue
Minor point - your color scheme is not spumoni, but Olympic Tribute colors commemorating USA's first ever Gold in the Road Race - 1984 in LA. Won by an immigrant Alexi Grewal. Yours is the 1985 SLX.
A few years back, I got an SL version from those painted in '84 immediately following the victory. I was at the 84 LA Games (not the cycling events).
Here is a pic from the road earlier this month. Decals are gone but for the outline. Lots of touch-up. The hardest touch-ups still to be done. Sure is a quick handler!
1985 Gita catalogue
Last edited by Wildwood; 05-02-20 at 06:49 PM. Reason: Pics
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05-03-20, 03:49 PM
#17
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05-03-20, 04:01 PM
#18
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I would ride it as is, but then I'm a lover of patina.
Minor point - your color scheme is not spumoni, but Olympic Tribute colors commemorating USA's first ever Gold in the Road Race - 1984 in LA. Won by an immigrant Alexi Grewal. Yours is the 1985 SLX.
A few years back, I got an SL version from those painted in '84 immediately following the victory. I was at the 84 LA Games (not the cycling events).
Here is a pic from the road earlier this month. Decals are gone but for the outline. Lots of touch-up. The hardest touch-ups still to be done. Sure is a quick handler!
1985 Gita catalogue
Minor point - your color scheme is not spumoni, but Olympic Tribute colors commemorating USA's first ever Gold in the Road Race - 1984 in LA. Won by an immigrant Alexi Grewal. Yours is the 1985 SLX.
A few years back, I got an SL version from those painted in '84 immediately following the victory. I was at the 84 LA Games (not the cycling events).
Here is a pic from the road earlier this month. Decals are gone but for the outline. Lots of touch-up. The hardest touch-ups still to be done. Sure is a quick handler!
1985 Gita catalogue
05-03-20, 04:03 PM
#19
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Thread Starter
Rechroming my 1989 Pinarello Montello Columbus SLX frame
It's my understanding that true chrome is becoming extinct because of the environmental issues with the chemicals involved. If you haven't already noticed, nearly nothing is truly chromed these days. For example, chrome wheels on cars used to be cook, but now they're all highly polished aluminum (not to mention the only chrome you'll see on a modern car is plastic and 'fake chrome'.) So what I'm saying is that to get your frame refinished, it's not going to be cheap!
Cheers
05-03-20, 04:13 PM
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The proper name for the livery is Arco LA 84. Arco is Italian for rainbow. The livery was reportedly created after the Long Beach trade show during a beer session between Denver Spoke manager Doug Beeler, Dia-Compe rep Brad Thorne , Giorgio Andretta of Gita and team manager Len Pettyjohn. None could agree on a colour and Giorgio simply combined all the suggestions in the now famous quadruple fade pattern.
05-03-20, 06:54 PM
#21
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The proper name for the livery is Arco LA 84. Arco is Italian for rainbow. The livery was reportedly created after the Long Beach trade show during a beer session between Denver Spoke manager Doug Beeler, Dia-Compe rep Brad Thorne , Giorgio Andretta of Gita and team manager Len Pettyjohn. None could agree on a colour and Giorgio simply combined all the suggestions in the now famous quadruple fade pattern.
Thanks again for your help... time for a late dinner and back to a bit of polishing!!
Cheers
