To respray or nor respray, patina is the question

[ededwards]

The topic of respraying has been raised often, when to do it, suggested colours (restoration? A new paint scheme?) and where. I have resprayed a couple of bikes that came to me either very tatty, were having cable guides added/removed and/or had small dents that needed filling. I've been very happy with the results. But I have other bikes that are as tatty etc. that I don't want to respray because I love the chips, scuffs and scratches - to be pretentious they are part of the living history of the bike. But why respray some and not others?

And then it came to me as I picked myself up out of the mud - tatty is created by someone else, patina is what happens to a bike when you ride it yourself (i.e. it may well be someone else's tatty). This is of course a very personal opinion inarticulately expressed, but it boils down to "tatty is what you buy, patina is what you cause".

 

[tiboltrider]

Good topic! So should I leave the paint on this '93 Blizzard alone, re-create it, do it all black, do it all white or do it in the pastel baby blue I want to do it in? :?

 

[Andy R]

Good topic! So should I leave the paint on this '93 Blizzard alone, re-create it, do it all black, do it all white or do it in the pastel baby blue I want to do it in? :?

Depends on the condition I suppose, although from the photo it looks pretty tidy as it is. I'm a bit biased, mind you, as pale blue (What On-One call "That Blue" and what I call "Platsa Blue") is probably my favourite colour for bikes at the minute, and a Blizzard would look pretty sweet in that colour. All white would suit it too I think.

Incidentally, I have a '93 Blizzard just like yours - same size too, by the looks of it (17.5" ?). My wife mainly uses it though, but this has reminded me to take it out for blast again - it lives out in Greece now and we're going there on Tuesday for six weeks, so.......

I keep toying with the idea of bringing the frame back here this winter and fitting it with a rear disc caliper mount. I'll see how enthusiastic I feel :roll:

 

[tiboltrider]

Hi Andy R. Have you got any pics of of your Blizzard. I did think about getting Argos Spraying in Bristol to put a disc tab on the rear bought thought the chainstays and seatstays may not be up to it as they weren't designed for that. Got the hs33s anyway now! And yep it is the same size! Happy hols!

 

[utahdog2003]

I think the difference for me is if the chips and scuffs are mine. I wouldn't want to refinish my EWR, because most of the scratches and the one big honkin' dent are all from me, but I would expect that if I sold the bike the new owner would just think the paint needs a refresh.

 

[Anthony]

The topic of respraying has been raised often, when to do it, suggested colours (restoration? A new paint scheme?) and where. I have resprayed a couple of bikes that came to me either very tatty, were having cable guides added/removed and/or had small dents that needed filling. I've been very happy with the results. But I have other bikes that are as tatty etc. that I don't want to respray because I love the chips, scuffs and scratches - to be pretentious they are part of the living history of the bike. But why respray some and not others?

And then it came to me as I picked myself up out of the mud - tatty is created by someone else, patina is what happens to a bike when you ride it yourself (i.e. it may well be someone else's tatty). This is of course a very personal opinion inarticulately expressed, but it boils down to "tatty is what you buy, patina is what you cause".

I think what I understand you to mean is that your own dirt isn't dirty. Kind of like if I bought a sandwich in a shop, I'd want the person to have washed their hands recently. But if I made myself a sandwich, I might not bother to wash my hands

Personally I'm totally opposed to respraying unless there's incipient rust in the offing. Old things have a certain nobility that shiny new things don't. Well, that's what I tell myself . A lot of bikes that look dull would be enormously improved by a bit of paint repair plus a mildly abrasive polish. Which in my case is more than can be said for their owner, unfortunately.

 

[Andy R]

Hi Andy R. Have you got any pics of of your Blizzard. I did think about getting Argos Spraying in Bristol to put a disc tab on the rear bought thought the chainstays and seatstays may not be up to it as they weren't designed for that. Got the hs33s anyway now! And yep it is the same size! Happy hols!

The only photo that I can find in a hurry is this one, taken a few years ago during the time when I was was trying to persuade my wife that she actually liked riding it - hence the horrible flat pedals, womens saddle etc... It looks a bit nicer now though - I must take some up to date pics. of it.

I'm sure the frame would be more than up to having a disc tab fitted, especially with a reinforcing tube between the seatstay and chainstay(which is what I would do).
The danger is that if I bring it back here to work on it'll end up not only having a caliper mount and hose guides fitted, but being rebuilt as yet another cool singlespeed.
Hmm - I can see that being really condusive to marital bliss then, as for some reason my wife thinks singlespeeds are the devil's own creation.......... :roll:

 

[al]

Sorry if this goes a bit off topic. I have an old vw that i bought 5 years ago and talking to the last keeper he had told me it was a survivor and as far as he knew hadn't had much done bodywork wise.

With this i was a prowd chap and informed people of the fact! Some years later i was on another forum for type 3/4 VWs and the bloke that had imported the car from germany said that he had bought the car in a terrible state and would i like to see the pics?

For F.....sake the car was unrecognisable from the vehicle i now own. The work that was carried out was of such a good standard and was done so sympatheticaly that the car was anything i wanted it to be.
Anyway back to the point, its not just a case of old dog or spanking new paint. I think it should be more subtle than that and maybe keep some of the wear and tear as a reminder to us that the old girl has had a full and happy life, but the odd bit of foundation and lippy can make her feel and look fantastic!!!

Cheers,Al.

p.s. As my dad used to say,Alan are you talking out of the top of your head again!

 

[Anthony]

Hi Andy R. Have you got any pics of of your Blizzard. I did think about getting Argos Spraying in Bristol to put a disc tab on the rear bought thought the chainstays and seatstays may not be up to it as they weren't designed for that. Got the hs33s anyway now! And yep it is the same size! Happy hols!

Not sure those fades are supposed to be visible - have the deals peeled off?

 

[reanimation]

currently got this prob with my earlyish Santa Cruz Bullit, its tatt, scuffed, sticky, but none done by me, and I need a little mojo to get it build back from a frame, so new paint or P coat is needed, black or orange to match my anniversary Z1's! It woudl suit the battle scar look too. ??? :?

My sturdy old raleigh is staying patina i think, well its only seen one mountain and a good few roads. I'd love to paint it bright pink rather than magenta, another project for another day me thinks.

patina/paint, equally pretty but patina tells a story