MiloFrance

I just started prepping the Guerciotti for what I thought was going to be a clear coat on top of the original paint. It's not in great shape. I think I'm going to have to strip it and repaint in original colour. the Chrome on the fork is also severely compromised so it may be a case of protecting the crown and painting the fork too. Any other opinions or ideas welcome I'm sure there are some out there!

ridelikeaturtle

Unless you've got active rust somewhere, I'd almost always say no to a respray. You'll go spend a bunch of money, time, and effort... only to scratch it bringing it into the garage.

MiloFrance

The fork has certainly deteriorated in the last few months. my car body shop friends will spray at a very good price so money is not too much of an object but you are right about the scratching... I don't have a single bike with perfect paint!

Bianchigirll 

Go for it! A Guerciotti deserves a fabulous three color paint scheme

rocks in head 

I just touched up my red Guerciotti SL with a mixture of Testors and orange spray paint. Should have gone heavier on the orange, as it went on nicely matched but dried too cherry. The paint on these bikes is just awful, I've heard of "quick release" paint, but didn't really appreciate it till now. The result is not great looking, so it does depend on what you want out of this bike - a good bike and a good ride, or a showpiece? The only way to end up with a showpiece when the paint starts where yours is is a strip and re-spray. If you're just going to ride it, some scars add character. Just as long as the frame is protected from rust.

joesch

I agree and sorta like how the blue paint looks nice with the under chrome.

SJX426 

I keep struggling with this move on several bikes. For me it is an issue of … I don't know! That is why I just leave it the way they have experienced existence. I would consider repaint if I was to restore to original configuration. That is not going to happen. At least the Colnago has period correct parts. The rest, not so much.

nomadmax 

Complete strip down, re-chrome and paint; I didn't regret it When Jack Trumbull (owner of Franklin Frame) handed me this frame and fork after he was done with it, all I could think of was "I didn't pay this guy enough".

SJX426 

Well..... There you go! Like having a new bike!

Hey it's not llike it is the only one in the world that needs to be preserved the way it was. Lots of other can represent it in museums. But it may be the only one you have.

Chr0m0ly 

I like both options but I’m broke so I keep patina. I have some bikes that could do with a respray, but a cleaned and touched up bike looks worlds better than before.

I had a Oldsmobile and the passenger door had a spreading rust patch. I sanded it down, masked it off, and hit it with primer. I was just shocked by how much better it looked, just with mismatched primer. I think the difference was that when primed, it looked like someone was caring for it. Like jeans with a knee patch, something used and maintained has a cared for look that I dig.

On the other side, with certain exceptions I don’t think that new paint ruins a bike. Someone said “the frame of a bike is it’s soul, the paint just keeps the soul from rusting” and I think that’s pretty true.

MiloFrance

The decision was made. So my remaining question to you lot is classic yellow or funky pink?

xiaoman1 

Are you sure it is not the clearcoat that is the issue on the fork... My Ciocc had the same issue and removing the CC revealed fairly decent chrome....
Best, Ben

grizzly59

Seriously, I would do this, it's going to get scratched up again anyway since you actually ride the bike-

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/pr...w-holland-blue