I have been looking at various 60s and early 70s Italian original finish frame sets, several have what is referred to as chromovelato (cromovelato) Finish. The archives do not have any references, and from what I can tell it seems to be a colored translucent top coat over a fully chromed frame, as there are several color variations. However, the Bianchi Centenario has a black finish that one source tells me is cromovelato, and another says is a black chrome (and very unstable with a tendency to 'melt' with age and weather into a messy finish) Is there a difference? Did/does chrome come in various colors?
Can any of our astute frame restorers shed some light on this technique? Anyone have original bikes with this type of finish/paint? What frame builders used this? Any links to pics of frames with this finish? Is the Bianchi Centenario finish a victim of bad press?!
Thanks all!
Greg arnold nyc