Jon wrote:
I think a good coat of wax would be all that's really needed, or some paint added by a skilled restorer who could "patinize" the new paint. I think trying to re-plate the bike could be a giant can of worms and be a
huge mistake.
To me a bike like this has to be much further along in decay to warrant a full restoration.
Cheers, Jon Williams Grants Pass OR USA
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based on my various interesting adventures with glorias (none of which was executed in full), I can tell you that a full replate on those frames would be a nightmare of epic proportions, unless there was no pitting at all. And if there was no pitting at all, you wouldn't do replating. QED
the frame on ebay was in absolutely beautiful condition, and the blue darts can be easily reproduced by hand. Giorgio in Italia has decals, or used to, I don't know if he has any more of them now.
Glorias are not frames you want to restore as original..a trashed one would be worth re-doing with paint, as a rider, or interesting conversation piece. But were I ever to get involved with one of these things again, I'd find one that had its original plating, however compromised, and leave it at that.
The one on ebay was very sweet, and, if you're really into that kind of thing, probably worth the price.
Charles Andrews
Los Angeles