How long is too long [frame refinishing]...?

Maybe I am simply naive to such things, but what sort of timescale would others find acceptable for a frame paint?

Not a simple 15 quid powder coat, but a top notch, highest quality, show standard finish.

For arguments sake, lets presume a complete paint strip [by whatever method recommended], full dry finishing and prep of the frame, followed by several coats of lovely paint, and a few more of clear coat. Maybe even include for some cutting back between coats to ensure everything is nice and even throughout, and completely blemish free.

Let's also assume that some decals have to be made up. The usual sources haven't been used, so the refinishers are reproducing some new ones to identically match the existing ones - which are all present and easy to match in this hypothetical situation...

What would be acceptable here time-wise?

6 weeks? 2 months max? 3 months?

What about if a tube needed replacing? Would you get the new tube brazed in and then go elsewhere, or would you want everything done from one visit?

I'm not meaning to be a prick, simply trying to get a grasp on what others within our hobby find acceptable, and what they are prepared to pay lots of money for.


Presuming you decided to go with the frame builder replacing the tube and having the respray done, what would be acceptable time for that?

Understanding they're a frame builder primarily and prefer to build frames to order, frame repairs are a secondary importance in honesty - certainly not a priority.

So, assuming such repair work might be put on the shelf until a rainier day, what should this shelf life be?

1 month? 2 months? 3 months?


Essentially, I am asking as forum members and enthusiasts of old bikes, how long are we content to wait on refinishing services?


Please feel free to add any more hypothetical situations which might lead to increased delivery times - those outlined above are not intended to be exhaustive.


Cheers,
BB.

You present frame for quote, they quote: price and timescale.

If they don't meet the quote, you have grounds for complaint.

I'm assuming from your tone though, you're waiting for a frame? :?

I would always ask how long it would take before ever sending my frame off.

I would wait a month for a show quality paint job.
If decals were to be added that had to be designed by someone from scratch I'd add on another 2 weeks, maybe a little more.
If the seat tube needed replacing and it was going to a regular framebuilder then I wouldn't expect it to take longer than making a whole frame from scratch - surely your work would just be put in a queue with all the other builds? Such a timeframe varies a lot between builders depending on how popular/niche/legendary/awesome they are.

The biggest problem would be that if you HAVE to get it done by the original painter/welder/graphic artist, you are at their mercy, and you don't have any other choice. But even if all that had to be taken into consideration, I would think it would be a cold day in hell when I would wait 6 months for the whole job to be done.

You know my story BB.

So, given that you have spoken to the builder (face to face) about a frame he built in the 90's and decide that it is best to get the original builder to do the required repair and then, after they have had the frame a while, the timescales start to stretch and 'next week' becomes next month and then you are told the repair was done a long time ago and the frame is now being refinished and then another month goes by.

How do you either make a fuss or get your part completed frame back?

I was once told the delay on my custom made frame was because "the paint sprayer had died". I didn't believe the excuse.

Neil:

If you look at the time this thread was started you will note it's a fair while before things went a little awol on your DB thread.

This thread wasn't meant to be antagonistic in any way, as I stated, it was purely intended to get people's views on an acceptable timeframe for frame refinishing.

Yes, yours is certainly a fairly unique case, but there have been many threads on here describing what I consider to be ridiculous turnaround times.

And yet, the same frame refinishers are continually reused and given an almost immortal status by their customers.

I was simply wondering why this is? Is it that the finish is so good that the poor service is accepted as part and parcel?

I'm genuinely interested, not stirring...

Cheers,
BB

BB; Sorry, I hadn't spotted when the thread was started.

I share your interest, in this matter.

I know there are many custom builders who are skilled and therefore constantly busy, someone like Kevin Winter would be a good example, but it could just as easily be Dave Yates or any number of other 'artisan' builders.

These guys have pretty full order books, but at the same time can give a good idea of when the work will be done, even if that is three months away, then a customer can at least make a considered decision.

Personally, I think three to four months is a sensible time for a complex repair and respray. A little more than that can perhaps be excused due to other jobs running over. Where chrome is concerned, this can add time, but back when I used to build custom motorcycles, my local chrome plater could strip, polish, base and top plate motorbike bits in a week to ten days and my local plater recently stripped, cleaned and re-anodised a bundle of bike bits for me in three days.

In the case of my DB, I am just resigned to wait until it comes back. Needless to say, I would have to think long and hard before placing any further business with them, regardless of the quality.

To answer my own question: The trouble is, once the frame has reached the workshop and work has begun, it is almost impossible to then get it back, until the work is complete, and there is always the danger that losing your rag over the phone with the people doing the work will only slow things down even more, so instead, we just keep quiet and wait..and wait...and wait....

BoyBurning":37swv4yh said:

Neil:

If you look at the time this thread was started you will note it's a fair while before things went a little awol on your DB thread.

This thread wasn't meant to be antagonistic in any way, as I stated, it was purely intended to get people's views on an acceptable timeframe for frame refinishing.

Yes, yours is certainly a fairly unique case, but there have been many threads on here describing what I consider to be ridiculous turnaround times.

And yet, the same frame refinishers are continually reused and given an almost immortal status by their customers.

I was simply wondering why this is? Is it that the finish is so good that the poor service is accepted as part and parcel?

I'm genuinely interested, not stirring...

Cheers,
BB

Click to expand...

BB

Without wanting to stir either, (given our previous conversations), i think this thread is a good idea.

Fwiw, i have had a straight paint, as described above have a turn around time of 10 days, this included custom decals, clear coat, and postage time to and fro.

I have had paint and repairs take 7 months, (as previously discussed)

I have also waited 14 months.... :shock:

Why do painters and refinishers get elevated to legendary status..? (as you put it)

I can only imagine the answer to this is simple...........Because the owners who are presented with the finished work are overwhelmed.

I would think that if this overwhelming of customers became a frequent occurence.........it wouldnt take long for word to spread, and for order books to become full..! (causing part of the delays too of course) And for there work to become highly regarded and elevated to the heights that you are suggesting.

Sounds like a 6-8 week job unless the person is doing it for a favour at a low cost or is awaiting specialist materials or tooling that is not readily available.