RE: [CR]Re: Testors Touchup

(Example: Production Builders:Cinelli:Laser)

From: <"kohl57@starpower.net">
To: bobhoveyga@aol.com, classicrendezvous@bikelist.org, jerrymoos@sbcglobal.net
Subject: RE: [CR]Re: Testors Touchup
Date: Thu, 26 Feb 2004 11:10:19 -0500


My main painting experience is restoring old streetcars for the last 17 years so paint I know.

The problem with Testors, Humbrol and other model paints is that they are designed for a model, usually plastic, and not a bike. They never dry to that essential glass-like hardness as they are not lacquer-based as that crazes plastic.

If you want a quick touch-up, nail varnish is much better. Zillions of shades (but I don't want to meet a lady using cycle colours on her nails, thanks very much!) and it's HARD. Really hard.

Or use auto touch-up paint. Chances are any cycle colour can be matched by an auto paint. My blue '51 blue Clubman is perfectly matched by VW beetle Lagoon Blue.

Most auto enamel now is "two-step" going back to the basics of painting when you applied COLOUR and then VARNISH to protect it. Now, it's colour and a hard glass-like finish topcoat.

I just wish we could set up a data base listing the popular cycle colours and their auto paint matches, i.e. Peugeot PX10 white is matched by Ford Cortina ivory. That way we don't have to keep reinventing the colour wheel. The professional restorers have all of this data of course and the duplicate transfers but they are never going to share that with anyone unless you're paying them for it. Fine... as long as they don't milk lists like this for free information themselves!!

Finally, don't be too insulted if your favourite bike's paint is matched by some really cheesy auto paint. Raleigh's bronze green, for example, is close to 1977 Ford Pinto metallic green. How low can you go?

Peter Kohler Washington DC USA

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