What to do?
02-01-19, 12:10 PM
#1
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What to do?
In a recent move from one state to another, the pictured damage happened to the paint on my DeRosa. Yes, it almost made me physically ill when I saw it. We did the move ourselves so I can’t blame anyone else or look to a moving company for damages.
So, I have two competing thoughts in my head: 1. It’s a DeRosa. It deserves to look its best. Repaint. 2. It’s only original once. Call it patina, cover the scrapes with something to prevent rust and just ride it.
There are other blemishes from the past prior to me owning it which have been touched up with a close matching paint.
What are the opinions of the collective?
So, I have two competing thoughts in my head: 1. It’s a DeRosa. It deserves to look its best. Repaint. 2. It’s only original once. Call it patina, cover the scrapes with something to prevent rust and just ride it.
There are other blemishes from the past prior to me owning it which have been touched up with a close matching paint.
What are the opinions of the collective?
02-01-19, 02:19 PM
#2
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Ouch that hurts me just looking at it.
id leave it as is.
Repaint it in the far future
id leave it as is.
Repaint it in the far future
02-01-19, 03:30 PM
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Oh boy. That one is bad. I would fix that, a De Rosa needs to look it’s best. The red shouldn’t be too hard to match. To do it right, send it to Duane at Chester Cycles in Chicago. He did nice touch up work on my blue De Rosa.
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02-01-19, 03:42 PM
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Just touch it up best you can and leave it at that. It'll be less of an eyesore and still original.
02-01-19, 05:10 PM
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Sorry to see that.
Those are more than "scratches". They're going to require sanding and filling and quite a bit of painting. Just brushing some paint on them won't do much and how would you paint around that decal?
Sorry, but I have to vote re-paint. And I know that entails a lot, like cost and originality, but it should look its best IMHO.
Those are more than "scratches". They're going to require sanding and filling and quite a bit of painting. Just brushing some paint on them won't do much and how would you paint around that decal?
Sorry, but I have to vote re-paint. And I know that entails a lot, like cost and originality, but it should look its best IMHO.
02-01-19, 05:55 PM
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I've seen car guys on tv do some unbelievable work with an airbrush.
02-01-19, 07:29 PM
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I agree that you should protect it now, and then make a decision about the long term solution after a bit of time passes. Clear nail polish in the meantime?
02-01-19, 07:55 PM
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I’d agree with ^that I think. For now. Maybe a shot at matching paint, too. A yearly clean and wax could go a long ways.
The main thing is that it still rides like a beast.
The main thing is that it still rides like a beast.
02-01-19, 08:17 PM
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Battle Wounds?
I carried the battery pack for my Night Sun in a handlebar bag. And, took out half of my headtube decal on my Colnago Super years ago. I was pretty sad about it at the time, but it wasn't the last scratch on the bike.
I'll probably eventually tear the whole thing down for a repaint, 30 years after that damage occurred.
I carried the battery pack for my Night Sun in a handlebar bag. And, took out half of my headtube decal on my Colnago Super years ago. I was pretty sad about it at the time, but it wasn't the last scratch on the bike.
I'll probably eventually tear the whole thing down for a repaint, 30 years after that damage occurred.
02-01-19, 08:54 PM
#11
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Hope I’m still alive and riding in 30 years (67 now).
02-01-19, 09:08 PM
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Personally I like battle scars. Without knowing the term years ago I've always appreciated the concept of wabi-sabi. I like a certain amount of order, just enough to maintain peace, but perfection makes me antsy. Once a possession has some wear and tear it's easier to relax and enjoy the function.
I'd just do whatever's necessary to protect the bare metal, maybe a few touch-ups, but otherwise I wouldn't worry about it.
I'd just do whatever's necessary to protect the bare metal, maybe a few touch-ups, but otherwise I wouldn't worry about it.
02-02-19, 12:31 AM
#13
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Another vote for employing touch up paint. You've done it before, and it appears you'll need to do it again--red along with some careful black and white. Really sorry this happened--it's gutting to witness. Get her back to protected and touched-up and take her for a long ride. You ride the bike, not the paint, thankfully. The sting will be there for a little while, but it will fade, especially with miles. Glad, in a way, these aren't the first scars it's had. Again, so sorry this happened. Don't beat yourself up about it--we all flub it as stewards of these fine machines from time to time.
02-02-19, 04:18 AM
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Ride Captain, Ride
I feel your pain..... 
But I end up not riding my pretty bikes because I don't want them to get dinged or dirty. That's why I like some patina.
Ride it into the ground and then get it repainted... maybe.
verktyg
But I end up not riding my pretty bikes because I don't want them to get dinged or dirty. That's why I like some patina.
Ride it into the ground and then get it repainted... maybe.
verktyg
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Last edited by verktyg; 02-02-19 at 04:22 AM.
02-02-19, 10:26 AM
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And with a tribute to Willie, above. Get it
“On the road again...”
Mel
“On the road again...”
Mel
02-03-19, 10:38 PM
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You can paint it now, or you can paint it later. Or you can never paint it.
If you're undecided, touch it up to protect from rust. Time will tell you whether to repaint or not.
If you're undecided, touch it up to protect from rust. Time will tell you whether to repaint or not.
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02-04-19, 12:10 AM
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Not U-Haul on this one but U-Maul
ouch.
It is now a warhorse. You will need to address the bare steel, touch up after some thinned primer...
ouch.
It is now a warhorse. You will need to address the bare steel, touch up after some thinned primer...
