To respray or nor respray, patina is the question

[Andy R]

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

The fades were originally covered by the decals, but the decals on mine were crap for some reason ( they never seemed to adhere properly) and I took them off completely about ten years ago.
For some reason the "handbuilt in Canada" ones were fine though, which is why they're still on.

 

[Corduroyboy]

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.

I think 'patina' has gone way too far in the VW world - I mean people are even faking it! :roll:
Hope it doesn't get that way with Retrobikes! I must admit, I like the idea of giving a whole new lease of life to an old frame, even if I had caused the tattyness.
How many of us have experienced that 'first scratch' anxiety? Yes, you get over it, indeed, end up adding further scars, but you'd rather they weren't there, right?

 

[billinjah]

yup i agree with UD if the imperfections are mine then they stay if not then they go!

 

[BG]

I'm very glad I've just read all this. It has put into words what I'd been feeling about an old frame that is decidedly 'tatty'. I'll be preping it for a re-paint starting tomorrow! (which is about time!)

 

[reanimation]

I'm very glad I've just read all this. It has put into words what I'd been feeling about an old frame that is decidedly 'tatty'. I'll be preping it for a re-paint starting tomorrow! (which is about time!)

me too, but maybe not tomorrow. Penelope Cruz will get a new coat. W00t - its not retro anyway!

 

[theboy]

I have a delightful frame that Im building up at the mo that I could easily persuade myself was worthy of a respray, but the more I think about it, the more I think that A) its an old bike, why would I want it to look new, B) if I get it resprayed, and then ride it, I will inevitably fall off (cos thats what I do) and then it will be scratched marked again, and C) a respray, new decals and paying someone to polish the rear end will cost more than all the other parts on the bike put together!

I would never buy another 'new' bike (not even a NOS frame I dont think), so I dont think I could justify making an old frame look new, unless as Anthony pointed out it had rust issues, or I was doing something structural to it such as dropouts etc.

ma tuppence wurth

 

[Old Ned]

My Scott definitely has 'patina' - but it's all mine!!

I intend to keep it in its original distressed state and if I add more distress to it, then so be it.

Anyone who bought it would probably want to strip it down, respray etc. but the scratches, faded decals, spots of rust are all part of its history and, as far as I'm concerned, should be kept exactly as they are now.