Just for the record, my Bates 1938 catalog lists the finish of the B.A.R. (Best AllRounder) model as Super Flamboyant or Glass-hard enamel. Martin Needleman Annapolis, MD
Dave Patrick wrote:
>
> Just to clarify, my take is that opaque enamels/lacquers were the standard
> up until the late 1950's, or perhaps the early 1960's, and then metallics
> appeared. Then flamboyants appeared in the mid-1960s, first called "candy
> colors" by the 1960's hot-rod crowd. These were/are essentially a
> translucent colored sprayed over white, silver or gold, depending on the
> look you wanted. At least that seems to be the time-line that I've seen on
> vintage cars. In restoring bikes from the 1940s/1950s, opaque enamels would
> have been the original finish, correct? Just trying to get handle on this,
> as I'm trying to determine the color-scheme for a couple of vintage frames.
> Your input greatly appreciated and thanks.
>
> Dave Patrick
> Chelsea, Michigan