Patina or not?

[edward12]

So...I’m thinking about sending my Bruce Gordon to Ed Litton, Gordon’s former painter, for refinishing in the original color in addition to an alignment, etc.

But I’m somewhat torn. There is something to leaving the patina (rust and scratches) on the frame and keeping its “history” intact. I’ve cleaned the frame thoroughly and treated the rusty areas, which are all superficial.

Thoughts?

IMG_1656.jpg
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[mhespenheide]

Once you've cleaned up the rust and treated it, I'd leave it as it is. In my opinion, that's got a long way to go before needing a repaint.

[gbcoupe]

Originally Posted by mhespenheide

Once you've cleaned up the rust and treated it, I'd leave it as it is. In my opinion, that's got a long way to go before needing a repaint.

Was thinking the same. Looks pretty good to me from that pic.

[nesteel]

I'd rather have some history and character than fresh new paint.
That frame is a far cry from needing a respray. I wouldn't do it.

[fmradio516]

id keep it original but thats just me.

[exapkib]

Love this question--I've been fighting the same mental fight with my Yamaguchi. So far (as you can see) I have decided not to refinish.

So far.

[8eh3iub]

Deep clean, wax & polish, enjoy.

[gbcoupe]

OK. So these pics don't tell the whole story or you all are way more picky than I.

I have 2 very cool frames that I've never built because I can't get over the chips/scratches. I get where you're coming from, but these are just tools! beautiful tools, but tools none the less. I need to listen to that as well.

[fmradio516]

Originally Posted by exapkib

Love this question--I've been fighting the same mental fight with my Yamaguchi. So far (as you can see) I have decided not to refinish.

So far.

Wow thats nice. dont change a thing! is it a Max frame?

[Hindmost]

It's only original once.

[NHAero]

I'm in the other camp. I had my 1988 Nagasawa road trainer re-painted as original by Circle A and love how great it looks. And my 1972 Bob Jackson is out for its third re-paint in the 48 years I've owned it.

Love and ride both bikes and like them looking tiptop!

[exapkib]

Originally Posted by fmradio516

Wow thats nice. dont change a thing! is it a Max frame?

Thanks! As good as it looks, it rides even better . . . Love this bike.

As far as I understand, Yamaguchi uses his own mix of tubing. If you look at the photos in the Custom gallery, you can see that all of the tubes are heavily shaped. The top tube and the seat tube have the bi-ovalized shape characteristic of Max tubing. The chainstays are highly shaped as well. S-bends!

[twowheeledtexan]

I’m for patina. I’d rather have something that shows it’s history and has stories rather than something that looks like a garage queen that’s never made any stories.

[rustychisel]

Originally Posted by twowheeledtexan

I’m for patina. I’d rather have something that shows it’s history and has stories rather than something that looks like a garage queen that’s never made any stories.

Me too.

Patina is like reputation before defamation. It takes a lifetime to acquire and can be glossed over in an instant.

I have an old bike, very old. It was bashed and battered and had more 'patina' than actual paintwork. I rode it for 5 years before deciding on a fixup and repaint because I wanted it to last another 45 years, the original owner told me to do so, and I'd decided the bike was a lifetime keeper.

I don't regret the decision at all, but I do still wonder if it was the correct decision.

[bironi]

Squint your eyes and save some money.
You're the one riding it, no?
That bright and shiny **** only goes so far in life!