Specialissima Vintage Celeste rehab
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Specialissima Vintage Celeste rehab
The frame is a 1983 Bianchi Specialissima I bought from and eBay seller and it has been hanging on a hook for a couple of years now. The paint and chrome were in pretty rough shape and a previous owner touched up many of the chips and scratches with a color that was a different shade of Celeste.
From a UK eBay seller, I bought two shades of official Bianchi touch-up paint because I wasn’t sure, which color would match best. One color is called vintage Bianchi Celeste and the other is called Bianchi Celeste. I don’t know when Bianchi made the change but the vintage color is greener and the modern color is bluer. On this frame the vintage color was the correct shade. I scrapped off the bluer touch-up that was applied to the frame and I used a small stone on my dremel tool to remove flaking paint and rust. I also sanded the area in the vicinity of the front derailleur to hopefully give the paint something to adhere to.
I built up several layers of touch-up over the chips, scratches, and missing paint. Then wet sanded with 1500 wet/dry paper. Then polish. I would have to repeat that process until I got a smooth level appearance in the repaired areas. However, you reach a point of diminishing returns. There is still a lot of patina and small scratches here and there, and the photos flatter the repairs. The chrome is still rough but overall the frame presents well. The key is matching paint! I will build it with Campy SR and tubulars in the coming days.
the color options
PO touch-up with wrong shade
Cleaned up rust and loose paint.
after
before
after
before
after
ready for assembly
From a UK eBay seller, I bought two shades of official Bianchi touch-up paint because I wasn’t sure, which color would match best. One color is called vintage Bianchi Celeste and the other is called Bianchi Celeste. I don’t know when Bianchi made the change but the vintage color is greener and the modern color is bluer. On this frame the vintage color was the correct shade. I scrapped off the bluer touch-up that was applied to the frame and I used a small stone on my dremel tool to remove flaking paint and rust. I also sanded the area in the vicinity of the front derailleur to hopefully give the paint something to adhere to.
I built up several layers of touch-up over the chips, scratches, and missing paint. Then wet sanded with 1500 wet/dry paper. Then polish. I would have to repeat that process until I got a smooth level appearance in the repaired areas. However, you reach a point of diminishing returns. There is still a lot of patina and small scratches here and there, and the photos flatter the repairs. The chrome is still rough but overall the frame presents well. The key is matching paint! I will build it with Campy SR and tubulars in the coming days.
the color options
PO touch-up with wrong shade
Cleaned up rust and loose paint.
after
before
after
before
after
ready for assembly
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#2
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Nicely done! Here’s my ‘83. When I got it, it had several areas, mostly along the top tube, that the PO had sanded down to bare metal. I also spent a lot of time tinting my touch up paint with primary colors , ultimately getting decent but not perfect match. If you know it’s there, you can easily see it but looks good on casual inspection and doesn’t bother me when I’m riding. I’ve really enjoyed this bike and would say of my Columbus SL bikes, only outdone by my Tommasini.
I’ve been meaning to get the “Made in Italy” sticker back on there.
I’ve been meaning to get the “Made in Italy” sticker back on there.
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N = '96 Colnago C40, '04 Wilier Alpe D'Huez, '10 Colnago EPS, '85 Merckx Pro, '89 Merckx Century, '86 Tommasini Professional, '04 Teschner Aero FX Pro, '05 Alan Carbon Cross, '86 De Rosa Professional, '82 Colnago Super, '95 Gios Compact Pro, '95 Carrera Zeus, '84 Basso Gap, ‘89 Cinelli Supercorsa, ‘83 Bianchi Specialissima, ‘VO Randonneur, Ritchey Breakaway Steel, '84 Paletti Super Prestige, Heron Randonneur
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I NEED a top end C&V Bianchi!
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Both are much improved, great that they are or will be riders. Don
Last edited by ollo_ollo; 10-01-21 at 08:21 AM. Reason: remove typo
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The frame is a 1983 Bianchi Specialissima I bought from and eBay seller and it has been hanging on a hook for a couple of years now. The paint and chrome were in pretty rough shape and a previous owner touched up many of the chips and scratches with a color that was a different shade of Celeste.
From a UK eBay seller, I bought two shades of official Bianchi touch-up paint because I wasn’t sure, which color would match best. One color is called vintage Bianchi Celeste and the other is called Bianchi Celeste. I don’t know when Bianchi made the change but the vintage color is greener and the modern color is bluer. On this frame the vintage color was the correct shade. I scrapped off the bluer touch-up that was applied to the frame and I used a small stone on my dremel tool to remove flaking paint and rust. I also sanded the area in the vicinity of the front derailleur to hopefully give the paint something to adhere to.
I built up several layers of touch-up over the chips, scratches, and missing paint. Then wet sanded with 1500 wet/dry paper. Then polish. I would have to repeat that process until I got a smooth level appearance in the repaired areas. However, you reach a point of diminishing returns. There is still a lot of patina and small scratches here and there, and the photos flatter the repairs. The chrome is still rough but overall the frame presents well. The key is matching paint! I will build it with Campy SR and tubulars in the coming days.
From a UK eBay seller, I bought two shades of official Bianchi touch-up paint because I wasn’t sure, which color would match best. One color is called vintage Bianchi Celeste and the other is called Bianchi Celeste. I don’t know when Bianchi made the change but the vintage color is greener and the modern color is bluer. On this frame the vintage color was the correct shade. I scrapped off the bluer touch-up that was applied to the frame and I used a small stone on my dremel tool to remove flaking paint and rust. I also sanded the area in the vicinity of the front derailleur to hopefully give the paint something to adhere to.
I built up several layers of touch-up over the chips, scratches, and missing paint. Then wet sanded with 1500 wet/dry paper. Then polish. I would have to repeat that process until I got a smooth level appearance in the repaired areas. However, you reach a point of diminishing returns. There is still a lot of patina and small scratches here and there, and the photos flatter the repairs. The chrome is still rough but overall the frame presents well. The key is matching paint! I will build it with Campy SR and tubulars in the coming days.
DD
Last edited by Drillium Dude; 10-01-21 at 02:09 PM.
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Impressive!
of course, why I like opaque colored bikes.
I would have been tempted to get out the airbrush...
I have a bike with paint like the seat tube... way too many places, but I am tempted to try as the decals are good and near unobtainium.
of course, why I like opaque colored bikes.
I would have been tempted to get out the airbrush...
I have a bike with paint like the seat tube... way too many places, but I am tempted to try as the decals are good and near unobtainium.
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fair enough. i was making a joke over a dialogue merz' and i had in another thread some months ago. he'd asked me what i thought about the bianchi celeste variations. i was hoping he might recall it as there was humor, but not sure
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You guys are out of my league, but I can vouch for the riding experience delivered even by a modest TreTubi Bianchi in a non-Celeste color. At least I have the Bianchi water bottle.
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"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
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That's the most important one to me!!!
Anything that's in my eyesight or even my peripheral vision- I'll fixate on it. I had a stem with an off-center stamp on it- It was right in my face the entire ride and it drove me NUTZ.
Anything that's in my eyesight or even my peripheral vision- I'll fixate on it. I had a stem with an off-center stamp on it- It was right in my face the entire ride and it drove me NUTZ.
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Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
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Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
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#24
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Magnifico! My size, too. BUT, Both my 'aero-belly' Clyde-ish self and my riding style are not worthy of such a machine because I'd have to fit barcons (Campy of course)... AND I'm sure it is beyond my budget!
Damn, that's purdy!!!
ANd yes, Celeste is the ONLY color Bianchi that I'd consider if I were to find one in my modest working-class price range!
Damn, that's purdy!!!
ANd yes, Celeste is the ONLY color Bianchi that I'd consider if I were to find one in my modest working-class price range!
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Specialissima build fini
I finished the build. Hopefully, the weather will cooperate and I can take it for a spin this weekend. What is a bicycle collection without a Celeste Bianchi?
Last edited by Andy Antipas; 10-13-21 at 07:11 PM.