Advice on Refinishing Colnago master

bomberesque

Retro Newbie
Hi

I have a Colnago Master, not sure of the year. I've had it for about a year and a half and so, naturally, I was getting the new bike jitters :mrgreen: :facepalm:

I was drooling over a new/classic Tomassini but then thought "hold on, this isn't better than my colnago, it's just shinier ... and 2 GRAND" so I started to think about getting my bike refinished here in Belgium. What I'm after is some advice on original paint schemes on Colnagos from (I guess) the 90s. The previous owner told me that the frame has been refinished once and it's not clear that it was done to match the original. Plus pearly yellow base colour just doesn't do it for me. the painter I have found here seems very capable and can match the pattern I have but in the red PR82 of the current Master frames and I'm thinking of pearl or white for the overspay at the logos and sig. I've been looking for a picture of a true original Master paintjob from this era to compare against and maybe see some alternatives, but all the ones I have seen are much more complex finishes than the pattern I have at the moment. Also considering (although I accept that this is a deviation ofmr the true path) getting the headtube lugs chromed (is the frame fully chromed under the paint? then maybe masked) like the 2015 Master because I think that just looks fantastic.

anyway, here's some pics of what I have right now. ofc I have cheated extensively on the groupset. In my defence I do have a Diamant from the same era with a full campag record group ... to be honest the colnago for me is my sunday bike, I've thopught about dropping some cash on something plastic but I just can't really see much point

cheers
 

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I'd go for a Saronni paint job. 1) It's easy to do. 2) It's a classic. 3) It's the best looking. The front lugs will be chromed under the paint.
 
Re:

TBH, I think it looks ok as it is!

If it were mine, I'd kep it original.
But if you have the urge, you could do worse than Ariostea team colours, red with yellow panels, or blue/white panels.

Mike
 
606

I didn't know it by that name but yes, I think you are talking about basically the finish on the 2015 Master Frame. it is gorgeous ... I see, now I search for the name, that Colnagos have had this style of finish through the ages. looks like a good idea, thanks!

Any idea what the finish of the chrome is likely to look like once the paint is stripped? Shiny enough to just mask off and paint round?

Mike

It is not in bad condition and I have got used to the colour over time, but now I've seen the red I can't unsee it :facepalm:
 
Re:

I sent my Colnago C40 off to Atlantic Boulevard. It had an art decor finish which was showing its age and no way would anyone be able to replicate it. I went through the same questions as you....should I repaint it and in what colour. Anyway, Neil at Atlantic persuaded me to trust him and his brilliant people renovated it by touching in all the bad spots. It is genuinely indistinguishable from new and I'd consider him if I had a lovely bike like yours.
 
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