My First Titanium (Colnago Content)

[Epicus07]

Hey Guys,

I posted earlier in the week ago a Colnago CT1 with some concerning paint damage. I went to check it out and fell in love. It was a little different than advertised but I love the way its built out and can't wait to take it on some long rides.

The paint is in rough shape and is peeling pretty easily. I feel like the titanium is trying to break through and shine. I'm all about original paint but it might turn into this some day...
http://www.ebay.com/itm/COLNAGO-CT-1-TITANIUM-CARBON-FRAMESET-CARBON-FORCE-FORK-HEADSET-STEM-/201116788875?nma=true&si=Fi%252BMW%252FS16sIoz7pD%252B9pwu42pdB8%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

Without further ado, my first titanium ride!

Colnago CT-1 Titanium/Carbon blend. 55 cm
Chorus and Record Group (10 speed)
White Industries H2/H3 hubs laced to Stans No Tube rims.
Grand Bois Cerf 28mm tires (It has room for 28s!)

She will get new handlebars, tape and saddle when I get around to it.


https://farm1.staticflickr.com/593/21335878009_d186676f8a_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/yvnXcF)[/url]

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5637/20901657763_e86d78b0c9_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/yvnXcF)

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/692/20901645143_6c147fc924_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/xR1sDH)

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/759/21334695890_c0b7ec144b_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/xR1oU8)

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5671/21496521986_7e19eba74c_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/yvgTNj)[url=https://flic.kr/p/yKzi4q]

[ultraman6970]

Looking good :)

[CampyorBust]

Nice score! Must be a very smooth ride. I didn't even notice the peeling paint until I scrolled down to the close up pic. My first and only ti frame is a Merckx Ti AX, I love that thing! That peeling paint could be a good thing, it wont be too much trouble to return it to it's true ti nature.

[slowgoing]

I have a CT1 in the bare titanium scheme in your link. Great riding frameset, smooth and stable. Rides as well as a C40. The only negative is I can deflect the bb enough to cause chain rub under heavy acceleration. However, it is also a great seated climber, maybe partly for the same reason. Ideal bike for long, hilly rides IMO.

The bare titanium has a layer or more of clear coat btw.

Yours has a great build, the seller did it right. Enjoy!

[Tickdoc]

so cool!

May the force be with you.... It looks like if you ride it fast enough, like lightspeed fast, that paint will just peel right off and leave that really cool Ti/carbon combo underneath!

[Epicus07]

Nice score! Must be a very smooth ride. I didn't even notice the peeling paint until I scrolled down to the close up pic. My first and only ti frame is a Merckx Ti AX, I love that thing! That peeling paint could be a good thing, it wont be too much trouble to return it to it's true ti nature.

I think so too.I've always wanted a naked TI. This one is just trying to please me. Always loved the look of the Merckz Ti. Have a pic?

I have a CT1 in the bare titanium scheme in your link. Great riding frameset, smooth and stable. Rides as well as a C40. The only negative is I can deflect the bb enough to cause chain rub under heavy acceleration. However, it is also a great seated climber, maybe partly for the same reason. Ideal bike for long, hilly rides IMO.

The bare titanium has a layer or more of clear coat btw.

Yours has a great build, the seller did it right. Enjoy!

I'm glad to hear that ! That is exactly what I was looking for in my Ti bike. Do you have a pic of yours built up? I might hit you up for close ups of decals when the time comes.

The seller really did build it out exactly as I would have. I knew immediately when I saw it that it was meant to be. The fact that I picked it up for the cost of the wheels is unbelievable.

so cool!

May the force be with you.... It looks like if you ride it fast enough, like lightspeed fast, that paint will just peel right off and leave that really cool Ti/carbon combo underneath!

Haha. I'm going to think about that every time I ride it.

[Hindmost]

Cool bike.

I would be tempted to do a simple, temporary restoration: carefully clean and mask the pealed areas, spray with model paint. Would probably yield passable results that are easily reversible later.

[SeanScott]

Yeah, agreed very neat find.

My friend just bought a Asso Colnago That looks very similar to that frame. Same paint scheme.

[Epicus07]

Cool bike.

I would be tempted to do a simple, temporary restoration: carefully clean and mask the pealed areas, spray with model paint. Would probably yield passable results that are easily reversible later.

Tell me more.

[tiretrax]

Italian paint is known for being fragile. There are lots of painters that can replicate the pattern, and some companies will supply stencils (Pegoretti).

Nice score. Welcome to the ti club.

[Hindmost]

Tell me more.

I am thinking of a low-tech touch up job. The edges will not be blended but over all it should look ok from typical viewing distance.

Model paint is good because it sprays low-volume, suitable for covering small areas. Looks like you need a gloss black. Black is a great color (non-color) as small imperfections won't show.

Use painters masking tape to mask off the immediate area to be painted. Cut shapes to protect the headset and decal. Tape additional paper or plastic sheet to protect the frame etc. from overspray. Clamping the frame up-side-down in a bike work stand would be ideal. Use old towels or sheets to protect anything else from overspray. If the existing paint is aggressively peeling, may need to rethink the use of masking tape.

The frame should be clean. Use acetone or lacquer thinner for a final wipe down of the area to be sprayed. Don't get any on the surrounding finishes.

Paint maybe four, very thin, even coats at 20-30 minute intervals. The first should be "almost none." The second should be "that's a little better." The third should be "it is starting to look ok." The final should be fairly smooth with good coverage. It will smooth more as it dries.

If the paint goes on too thick or it runs, wipe it off with a rag. Wipe again with the solvent and start over.

Carefully remove the masking tape within a few minutes. Paint takes several days to attain maximum hardness.

I have rattle-canned forks that look pretty good for many years. It is low cost, low risk, and other options are still available afterwards.

It is a nice bike to try to keep as original as possible. If I were me, I would give it a shot.

[Epicus07]

I am thinking of a low-tech touch up job. The edges will not be blended but over all it should look ok from typical viewing distance.

Model paint is good because it sprays low-volume, suitable for covering small areas. Looks like you need a gloss black. Black is a great color (non-color) as small imperfections won't show.

Use painters masking tape to mask off the immediate area to be painted. Cut shapes to protect the headset and decal. Tape additional paper or plastic sheet to protect the frame etc. from overspray. Clamping the frame up-side-down in a bike work stand would be ideal. Use old towels or sheets to protect anything else from overspray. If the existing paint is aggressively peeling, may need to rethink the use of masking tape.

The frame should be clean. Use acetone or lacquer thinner for a final wipe down of the area to be sprayed. Don't get any on the surrounding finishes.

Paint maybe four, very thin, even coats at 20-30 minute intervals. The first should be "almost none." The second should be "that's a little better." The third should be "it is starting to look ok." The final should be fairly smooth with good coverage. It will smooth more as it dries.

If the paint goes on too thick or it runs, wipe it off with a rag. Wipe again with the solvent and start over.

Carefully remove the masking tape within a few minutes. Paint takes several days to attain maximum hardness.

I have rattle-canned forks that look pretty good for many years. It is low cost, low risk, and other options are still available afterwards.

It is a nice bike to try to keep as original as possible. If I were me, I would give it a shot.

I think I will try that first. Thank you for the detailed write up.