Swansea 5 Swan (pic heavy)

[RobertFrith]

Paint or powdercoat?

Paint

[RobertFrith]

Paint or powdercoat?

Paint

And on that note another question... what sort of paint. I've been reading a recent acquisition "Racing Bicycles 100 Years of Steel" and, while I've had a bit of whinge about the photos in another thread, the research and writing is second to none. As noted earlier in this thread there's no paint or decals on this frame so sadly preservation is not an option. The book has certainly raised the bar for restorations though!

The advice for collectors in the technical terms section at the back of the book has sent me back through some older threads for more detail on paint. It's common knowledge and accepted wisdom for anyone who's hung around the retro forum for a while that powdercoat is a no-no for restoration projects. Four years ago Blockchain promoted the use of Dulon here and here. Would this be the paint of choice for restoration of a late fifties frame?

I'm close to sending the frame off for repair and paint. I'd planned to use Gripsport, despite their location in another state as they have a good reputation for workmanship and turnaround. There are a couple of people locally who I have no doubt would do a good job but I haven't heard great things about turnaround times I don't want to rush things but I don't want to wait a year either!

I have a niggling doubt about Gripsport following a conversation about decals. I don't want to use vinyl decals and they won't apply anything else. Oh well, I thought, I'll just get them to do the paint and send it home where either I'll apply waterslide decals or have the logotype hand painted. Now I'm thinking that they'll likely only use two pack and I should be using a more sympathetic finish. Maybe I should just get the repair and have the frame returned in primer or find a more sympathetic painter.

I'd be interested to hear from anybody about correct paint. I'm also curious to know where clear coat sits in the pantheon of bicycle restoration.
Thanks
Rob

[ghostpoet]

Robert, Joe Cosgrove can do both. He built under the Frezoni brand and won best paint job on a Llewelyn at the NAHBS a couple of years back. I would not be surprised if there is somebody here who can help you with a contact. Failing that Gripsport then Johann at Paintyourbike?

***** Google is your friend, "Joe can help you with any structural or painting needs" (07) 3275 1442

[RobertFrith]

Moving forward veerrry slowly on the 5 Swan. I dropped the forks in to Vinci Chrome to have them de-chromed a few weeks ago. I was in that neck of the woods this morning, picked them up and they'd RE-chromed them! Dog save us! Anyway it's a nice job and I suppose I could always paint over it... or not... funny how chance makes it's influence felt.

[find_bruce]

Four years ago Blockchain promoted the use of Dulon here and here. Would this be the paint of choice for restoration of a late fifties frame?

... Maybe I should just get the repair and have the frame returned in primer or find a more sympathetic painter.

I would steer clear of 2 pack paint Robert. I am no painter, but one of my passions are classic cars & from what I have seen, while 2 pack gives a great finish, it tends to go on more thickly around detail, so that I expect the lugs & swans in particular will have more rounded edges. It is a really little detail, so I expect that it is something you will want to get right

IIRC there is a different primer used for 2 pack & acrylic.

[RobertFrith]

Robert, Joe Cosgrove can do both. He built under the Frezoni brand and won best paint job on a Llewelyn at the NAHBS a couple of years back. I would not be surprised if there is somebody here who can help you with a contact. Failing that Gripsport then Johann at Paintyourbike?
***** Google is your friend, "Joe can help you with any structural or painting needs" (07) 3275 1442

Reading Joe's site inspires confidence. I dropped in to Captain Walker's shop in Freo this arvo, they have a beautiful little 5 star on display there, Original (I think) wood rims, schmick new paint. Owner wasn't in the shop while I was there but the guy who was there thought that Cameron Smith of Cycle Color in Coogee had done the paint. He wasn't sure who'd done the spectacular box lining and decorative work.
I'm slowly formulating a plan for the 5 Swan, it'll be a while though...