Peter, I had Chris Kvale repaint one of his old frames for me and I was very happy with the results. You might consider him in the future. He is a great guy and very laid back. The only "extra" involved was Chris said my fork needed to be aligned, which I ok'd. He also spread the rear end, brazed on new brake cable guides, etc, all for under $400 round trip. A good experience for sure.
Also, in defense of all painters, how can they possibly give a good accurate quote over the phone without seeing the frame?
Rod Kronenberg
Fort Collins, CO
> I am loathe to weigh in on the subject of frame painters, my recent
> experience was too costly and too painful. I'll spare you all the details,
> suffice to say if you are having a bike painted in England don't use Argos
> in Bristol or Skill Enamellers in Ilkeston. Just don't. Of course your
> personal experience may be different but all I got from the pair of them
> was a one-year wait, horrific bills, back of the hand "service" and two
> bikes painted in the WRONG colour! Worse still both were supposed to be
> painted the same colour. And these were just plain 'ol Raleighs too, single
> colour!! How hard can it be people?
>
> Argos explained a three-month wait for them to do nothing by saying "We
> were busy with our important racing customers" (direct quote).. now that
> says it all. I had my own customer service problems with CycleArt but this
> wasn't related to frame painting. Suffice to say I am not inclined to
> patronise them again.
>
> I'll pay any price (within reason) and bear any burden to get it done
> "right", right meaning 1) ability and creativity to match paint, 2)
> duplicate original transfers/decals.. don't throw up your hands and tell me
> "If Nick at Lloyds doesn't have it...." and 3) treat me as a customer of
> your business, not an investor or imposition in your hobby or pastime. If
> you're in the business of restoring bicycles, do it right and do it all or
> not at all.
>
> Right now, I simply haven't the stamina to go through this again anytime
> soon.. I'd rather have a root canal than deal with some of these people.
> This is supposed to be a fun pastime, sport and hobby. Basil Fawlty would
> have been a great frame painter....
>
> Peter Kohler
> Washington DC USA
>
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