[CR] CycleArt, etc.

(Example: Production Builders:Peugeot:PX-10LE)

Date: Wed, 19 May 2010 13:36:19 -0700 (PDT)
From: "Jeffery Pyzyk" <jpyzyk@sbcglobal.net>
To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Subject: [CR] CycleArt, etc.


I am all-too familiar with the story of wanting to re-paint one tube, or touch up portions of an original-paint frame, only to have my painter (not CycleArt) refuse to do it and advise me to do a complete re-spray. 

Touch-up/paint restoration  is a difficult and time-consuming process, with very often less-than-perfect results.

As a collector, vintage restorer, and rider, I prefer original-paint bikes.  I have had frames that were in decent shape, but with one or two glaring flaws to detract from otherwise excellent original condition.  These flaws are sometimes just too severe to live with. 

Once a complete bike is taken apart, many smaller scratches and imperfections sometimes become more readily apparent.  I generally view this as "patina".  However, upon taking a frame like this to the painter, the reaction I often get is, "Why do you want to try to save this paint?"  It is much, much easier to simply go to the blast cabinet, blast all the old paint away, and start clean with a bare-metal frame.  A little filler here, a lot of primer there, a fresh coat of some modern acrylic paint, some replacement decals, and Bob's your uncle - Voila! a freshly "restored" frame.

However, very often, bikes can lose their "soul" once stripped and re-sprayed.  These can come back with overly thick paint, too much clear-coat, fine details (ie. Campagnolo stampings in the dropouts, bottom bracket stampings) blasted away,  decals that are "close" but not exact, improperly placed, etc.  In the case of California, environmental laws are so strict that it is unusual to see proper chrome restoration due to the high cost of chrome plating.  So, chain stays, lugs, drop outs, and fork crowns that were once chromed wind up being painted.  I know it is usually the customer's choice to not pay for the cost of re-chroming, but seeing a frame done this way replete with the painter's "tattoo" irritates the s*** out of me.  If I were a painter, I am sure I would have to do it to pay the bills, but wouldn't "sign" this type of work.  I wouldn't be proud of being complicit in the ruination of a fine bicycle!

In my view, the "art" of paint restoration lies in the tedious business of paint-matching and blending of touch-ups.  For it to be done right, it takes the hand of an artisan.  I have an automotive and motorcycle restoration friend locally who, in this regard, has been an absolute magician.  Not long ago, he got away from doing touch-ups and partial re-sprays, and would only do complete re-sprays.  More recently, he told me that he will no longer be painting bike frames.  In spite of my willingness to pay for his time, he said there is just not enough money involved to justify the time and expense to do it right.

It is easy to see why excellent, original-paint bikes seem to be commanding an ever-widening premium over re-sprays.

Jeff Pyzyk
Milwaukee, WI