Re: [CR] paint colors for old frames (was re: Argos)

From: Dr. Paul B. Williams <castell5@sympatico.ca> Subject: Re: [CR] paint colors for old frames (was re: Argos) To: chasds@mindspring.com, classicrendezvous@bikelist.org Date: Saturday, June 12, 2010, 4:29 PM

My latest acquisition from Neil Foddering - the 1941-2 Joe Cooke Imperial Petrel - came beautifully repainted in black stove enamel with the trademark blue headtube. I must admit that there is a certain elegance to the black - especially with exquisite pin-striping and box-lining in gold and red. The work was done by the chap who goes by the name Tygeist on EBay.co.uk and it is of the highest quality. I agree that, although a repaint, it has a certain quality to it that take it back in time. Moreover, as one former lister pointed out to me the black is a very practical colour and very easy to touch-up. I am now wishing that I had had the Carpenter painted a darker colour. The maroon looks lovely, but every thing I have ever had repainted red has always had a softer finish. Although Mario Vaz did a lovely job the paint chips very easily. Maybe my motto from now on will be borrowed from Henry Ford - any colour as long as it is black!!

Paul Williams, Ottawa, ON, Canada

Dr. Paul B. Williams, BAH, MPhil, PhD Instructor, Dept. of Geography and Environmental Studies, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, Canada

> From: chasds@mindspring.com
> To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
> Date: Sat, 12 Jun 2010 08:11:34 -0700
> Subject: [CR] paint colors for old frames (was re: Argos)
>
> This thread about Argos, for some reason, reminded me of a conversation I had some years ago at a Cirque, with Alexander von Tutschek..it was quite enlightening.  We were discussing issues with repainting frames, while on a ride, and Alexander opined as how in his experience, old frames look much better in dark colors when they're repainted.  That the plausible authenticity of any repaint is enhanced somehow by using dark colors rather than lighter ones. 
>
> This would be especially true if, for instance, you were repainting a UK bike in that lovely soft black that you see on, say, the occasional Mercian or Bob Jackson.  If this particular paint color/style is done right, it'd be genuinely difficult to tell if the finish was original or a repaint--although not impossible, of course.   
>
> The general idea is valid for most any style of frame, from any source.
>
> I've since followed Alexander's advice on three or four frames, with excellent results.  The frames give off a plausible authenticity that they probably would not if they were painted in a lighter color.  Oddly, even when it's fairly obvious that the paint is new, the darker color, somehow, projects a more authentic look.  I expect this is what Alexander was referring to.  I think it's also the case that darker colors are less revealing of the differences between original paint and new paint...
>
> At any rate, worth considering the next time you're repainting something, if authenticity is a criterion for satisfaction.
>
> Charles Andrews
> Los Angeles
>
>
> "Somebody has to be tireless...
> or the fast buck operators would
> asphalt the entire coast, fill every
> bay and slay every living thing
> incapable  of carrying a wallet."
>
> --John D. MacDonald