Charles,
Re. your question to the list about experience with UK painters... I have none to offer. But I have a suggestion. Since you have had good results with Argos on the paint but not the lug lining, why not have them do the paint onl?. Then once the frame is in hand, take it to Brian Baylis, Joe Bell or someone else that you have had positive lug lining experience with? They could apply the decals, do the lug lining to your standards and then if desired, apply clearcoat. JB did a 50/50 mix of glossy clear and flat clear for me to come up with a very traditional look to one of my frames while still having the advantage of protection to paint and decals that a quality clear coat offers.
Very best wishes with that frame - I am another that bid on the frame but my bid was never accepted by eBay as it went in just after the then current bid amount was already higher then mine.
Eric Elman
Somers, CT USA
Charles wrote: My only question goes out to our UK members (or anyone else who had used UK painters)...who do you guys like for the job? I've used Argos with good results. As I mentioned in an earlier post, their free-hand lining of the seat-stay caps was crummy, but everything else was first-rate.