Want to get my bike painted...but what are my choices and more??

I see through google that's theirs Chesters Cycle for painting but is their anybody else I have an 87 Bianchi Brava and I have the money and want to get it repainted...Paint jobs not bad but want it to look fresh...Also what type of painting service is the best I'm a newbie but I know the ways to paint it are powercoating or paint which is better and also have new vintage decals..have the money but want it done right...I'm going to college at Illinois Institute Of Technology so if theirs anybody that paints in that area could you take that in consideration? Thanks..

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Permalink Reply by John C. Wilson on August 8, 2013 at 6:11pm

It's a nice bike. It's a very nice bike. For what it will cost to get it painted and decalled you can find a similar or better Bianchi in mint or NOS condition. While you're searching for that perfect bike you still have your current bike to ride.

Permalink Reply by Aaron Brown on August 8, 2013 at 6:14pm

I know it will cost me but in about a month I'm buying a new groupset Champy Veloce so I want to get a good paint job...I know this but I love my bike..

Permalink Reply by Michael A on August 8, 2013 at 7:07pm

Sometimes putting a ton of cash into an older frame is worth it, only you can make that call. Besides the paintjob if you switch to a more modern groupset you will most likely need to change your rear wheel and may even have to have the frame realigned to accept 130mm spacing (Campagnolo is proprietary)

Chester cycles does a really nice job, especially for the price, your other option may be powdercoating the frame.

Permalink Reply by Thunder Snow on August 8, 2013 at 7:21pm
Permalink Reply by Aaron Brown on August 8, 2013 at 7:22pm

cool thanks...that was the other thing that I was going to ask how to realign the rear wheel for the spacing of the new groupset??Or more importantly how much does it cost to do at a bike shop?

Permalink Reply by mark stetson on August 8, 2013 at 9:11pm

Some frames in that era were spaced 128 (in between 6/7 speed's 126 and 8 speed's 130), and you can generally run a 130 hub in a 126 frame without much trouble.  Remove the wheel and check the spacing.  If it's 128 now I wouldn't bother to spread it.

You could spread the frame yourself, or have a bike shop do it.  Here's Sheldon Brown's method:

http://jail.sine.com/sheldonbrown/sheldonbrown.com/frame-spacing.html

If you spread it, you should have the dropouts aligned.

I don't mind powdercoat on welded frames, but would go with wet paint on a lugged frame.

The Brava's a nice enough frame, but if the paint isn't too bad I'd just touch it up and ride it.  If you can match the paint, you can fill and sand chips level, then polish.  If done right you won't be able to see where they were when done.   If that won't do, you could paint it yourself.  I repainted the Basso below.  It's not perfect but it's fairly presentable, cost including decals was under $100.  For a professional job that is not too expensive, I'd go with Allan Wanta.  People I've talked to have been very happy with him.  I've heard of him doing some jobs in the past for under $250. 

http://www.wantaframes.com/Repaintpage.html

 

 

  

 

 

Permalink Reply by Skip Montanaro 0mi on August 8, 2013 at 11:20pm
Powder coating may be a good option, but note that there is a certain skill required to apply it thinly enough that the shorelines of the lugs aren't obscured. Spectrum, in Colorado Springs, touts that as one of their particular skills.

Your Basso looks lovely on my smartphone's screen. Did you rattle can it or do you have proper equipment? Tubulars, too. I'm beginning to really love mine after renewing the relationship after a 40-year hiatus.
Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on August 9, 2013 at 12:22am

Powder coating may be a good option, but note that there is a certain skill required to apply it thinly enough that the shorelines of the lugs aren't obscured. Spectrum, in Colorado Springs, touts that as one of their particular skills.

Years ago, before anyone local was doing powder coating, I had my 1978 Univega done by Spectrum Powder Works in Colorado.  It's a beautiful lugged frame and they did it justice.  I've been very happy with the results - still looks great.

Permalink Reply by Aaron Brown on August 9, 2013 at 1:41am

Does anybody know the ups and downs of using chesters cycles?? because he quoted me a great price.

Permalink Reply by Kevin C Dormant on August 9, 2013 at 1:46am

Chester Cycles does a great job. If you also got a great quote for the job, there are no downs.

Aaron Brown said:

Does anybody know the ups and downs of using chesters cycles?? because he quoted me a great price.

Permalink Reply by Aaron Brown on August 9, 2013 at 1:50am

I guess the only thing I'm concerned with is that he uses wet paint or should I be concerned...I mean wet paint looks as good as power coating if done right?...right...thanks

Permalink Reply by Skip Montanaro 0mi on August 9, 2013 at 2:02am

I wouldn't be concerned about the wet paint bit.  Presumably he either uses water-based paint (all but required in California now, probably common elsewhere), or adheres to local regulations if he uses oil-based paint.

If authenticity is a concern, make sure you or he can source decals which match the originals. There are a number of places online which sell original or reproduction decals. Also, along the authenticity axis, most good painters today (I would count Chester in that group based on what I've heard) are going to produce a frame painted to much higher standards than original.  It will look "better than new," but that isn't always what everyone wants. For instance, Italian frames from the 80s and before have a tendency for their decals to "dissolve".  I think that's mostly because they weren't clear coated.

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