Rita,
The original Legnano stencil was done with a metal stencil, this
produces the fuzzy overspray edge you see on the bikes. It can be
reproduced with some effort and experimenting if you are that
determined. The red pinstriping can be done by a professional
letterer/pinstriper or signpainter sometimes. The proper red paint
must be used in order to clear over it when the bike is finished. The
originals striped over the clear, same with the stencil decal.
Good luck with the project. A Legnano isn't the easiest job to pull
off.
Brian Baylis
La Mesa, CA
Many thanks to those who replied to my first color question. Guess what... I found an artisanal 'verniciatore', nearby the city of Legnano(!) and about an hour driving from my place, who uses the original procedure (involving baking the frame) and colors. I've seen one of his finished frames from a guy in my place, and it looks gorgious! The only thing, he does not put the red 'filetti' (lining), nor the screen-printed Legnano logo on the down tube. Any suggestions - advice available from experienced Legnano restorers how to get this done, in particular the logo (white lettering on red background)? I have the possibility to get the Legnano logo as a decal, but strongly prefer to have it painted.
Thanks again for your input
Rita Van Dingenen Besozzo (VA), Italy
> From: "TONY BOHORQUEZ" <tony_models@earthlink.net>
> To: <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
> Date: Thu, 27 Jul 2006 21:51:40 -0700
> Subject: [CR]Legnano original color
> Dear Legnano Friends :
>
> I'm coming back to the subjet about the Legnano ( Green )
color,
> after having second toughs..... and suddenly some horrible flash
back
> memories came, about touching-up some scraches on my very nice
( new
> and heavy ) Legnano on early 70's.
> The problem was not to match the original color; in my case ,
was
> to find out , in " a hard way "
> that the kind of finish lacquers ( factory vs. the new one )
were
> not compatible, and as consecuence the surface did wrikled all
over
> .........it forced to re- paint the all frame......
> I would never forget the fustration.....
>
> So, I hope this kind of advice would help some body , with good
> intentions in mind to restore some vintage Legnano
bycicle.........
>
> Tony Bohorquez