Colnago's Paint Pain

[bicycle_disciple]

I've been reading reviews on Road Bike Review for the Colnago Master X-
Light. The bike handles, climbs and accelerates like a dream, most
say. However, quite a few also point out the problematic paint of the
frame. Chips and nicks are easily made.

For a 2000 dollar frame, you would think that they would put more
thought into paint durability.

For a potential purchaser of a frame like this, what precautions can
be taken to ensure minimum damage to the frame, apart from keeping a
watch on it more than your baby offspring :)

B.D

[raamman@gmail.com]

On Jul 28, 9:40 pm, bicycle_disciple <1.crazyboy.o...@gmail.com>
wrote:
> I've been reading reviews on Road Bike Review for the Colnago Master X-
> Light. The bike handles, climbs and accelerates like a dream, most
> say. However, quite a few also point out the problematic paint of the
> frame. Chips and nicks are easily made.
>
> For a 2000 dollar frame, you would think that they would put more
> thought into paint durability.
>
> For a potential purchaser of a frame like this, what precautions can
> be taken to ensure minimum damage to the frame, apart from keeping a
> watch on it more than your baby offspring :)
>
> B.D

you can buy a roll of book-jacket laminate and use that on the tubes;
a single layer wraps nicely around, protects against a lot of misc
damage and blends in too so your frame still displays it's artistic
paint work. when you peel off the laminate after a year you will
notice the difference. I've used that method on my bikes including 5
years as a bike courier and kept my frames looking years younger than
they actually are. put it on like wallpaper, nice even no air bubbles.
with a few washes of your bike with a soft cloth you won't even notice
it's there.

[Chalo]

bicycle_disciple wrote:
>
> I've been reading reviews on Road Bike Review for the Colnago Master X-
> Light. The bike handles, climbs and accelerates like a dream, most
> say. However, quite a few also point out the problematic paint of the
> frame. Chips and nicks are easily made.
>
> For a 2000 dollar frame, you would think that they would put more
> thought into paint durability.

I thought crappy paint was one of the traditional virtues of any
Italian sporting vehicle.

Chalo

[Qui si parla Campagnolo]

On Jul 28, 7:40 pm, bicycle_disciple <1.crazyboy.o...@gmail.com>
wrote:
> I've been reading reviews on Road Bike Review for the Colnago Master X-
> Light. The bike handles, climbs and accelerates like a dream, most
> say. However, quite a few also point out the problematic paint of the
> frame. Chips and nicks are easily made.
>
> For a 2000 dollar frame, you would think that they would put more
> thought into paint durability.
>
> For a potential purchaser of a frame like this, what precautions can
> be taken to ensure minimum damage to the frame, apart from keeping a
> watch on it more than your baby offspring :)
>
> B.D

Buy a Waterford R-33...'frame like that'.

[sergio]

On 29 Lug, 03:40, bicycle_disciple <1.crazyboy.o...@gmail.com> wrote:
> I've been reading reviews on Road Bike Review for the Colnago Master X- Light.
> For a 2000 dollar frame, you would think that they would put more
> thought into paint durability.

Would it be possible to read such a review verbatim?
I personally know the official Colnago painter and I promise I shall
have him read and comment on that.

Sergio
Pisa

[LML999]

On Jul 28, 9:40 pm, bicycle_disciple <1.crazyboy.o...@gmail.com>
wrote:
> I've been reading reviews on Road Bike Review for the Colnago Master X-
> Light. The bike handles, climbs and accelerates like a dream, most
> say. However, quite a few also point out the problematic paint of the
> frame. Chips and nicks are easily made.
>
> For a 2000 dollar frame, you would think that they would put more
> thought into paint durability.
>

The big problem with Colnago paint is that it can't be easily touched
up or redone due to the beautiful artwork. Other than that, I don't
find their paint to be any less durable than that on other bikes I've
owned. My C40 and my Dream both have beautiful paint jobs. The C40 is
flawless and the Dream has a few of the typical scratches that a race
bike would. But I take generally good care of my bikes.

If you want a flawless finish, get a titanium bike. Fingerprints and
grease come off with Lemon Pledge and scratches come out with a
Scotchbrite pad. Unfortunately, Ti is a relatively boring finish in
comparison to to Ernesto's finest.

Lee

[bicycle_disciple]

On Jul 28, 10:16 pm, raam...@gmail.com wrote:
> On Jul 28, 9:40 pm, bicycle_disciple <1.crazyboy.o...@gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
> > I've been reading reviews on Road Bike Review for the Colnago Master X-
> > Light. The bike handles, climbs and accelerates like a dream, most
> > say. However, quite a few also point out the problematic paint of the
> > frame. Chips and nicks are easily made.
>
> > For a 2000 dollar frame, you would think that they would put more
> > thought into paint durability.
>
> > For a potential purchaser of a frame like this, what precautions can
> > be taken to ensure minimum damage to the frame, apart from keeping a
> > watch on it more than your baby offspring :)
>
> > B.D
>
> you can buy a roll of book-jacket laminate and use that on the tubes;
> a single layer wraps nicely around, protects against a lot of misc
> damage and blends in too so your frame still displays it's artistic
> paint work. when you peel off the laminate after a year you will
> notice the difference. I've used that method on my bikes including 5
> years as a bike courier and kept my frames looking years younger than
> they actually are. put it on like wallpaper, nice even no air bubbles.
> with a few washes of your bike with a soft cloth you won't even notice
> it's there.

Very interesting idea for a fix. What do you mean by the last
statement though? The laminate won't wash off right, leaving me to
laminate it once again?

Since we're on colnago topic here, one more question.

Given all factors are equal, whats a better bike to choose out of the
two - Master X-light or CT1. Better in the sense for climbing,
sprinting, and general performance cost wise.

Thanks

[bicycle_disciple]

On Jul 28, 10:26 pm, bicycle_disciple <1.crazyboy.o...@gmail.com>
wrote:
> On Jul 28, 10:16 pm, raam...@gmail.com wrote:
>
>
>
> > On Jul 28, 9:40 pm, bicycle_disciple <1.crazyboy.o...@gmail.com>
> > wrote:
>
> > > I've been reading reviews on Road Bike Review for the Colnago Master X-
> > > Light. The bike handles, climbs and accelerates like a dream, most
> > > say. However, quite a few also point out the problematic paint of the
> > > frame. Chips and nicks are easily made.
>
> > > For a 2000 dollar frame, you would think that they would put more
> > > thought into paint durability.
>
> > > For a potential purchaser of a frame like this, what precautions can
> > > be taken to ensure minimum damage to the frame, apart from keeping a
> > > watch on it more than your baby offspring :)
>
> > > B.D
>
> > you can buy a roll of book-jacket laminate and use that on the tubes;
> > a single layer wraps nicely around, protects against a lot of misc
> > damage and blends in too so your frame still displays it's artistic
> > paint work. when you peel off the laminate after a year you will
> > notice the difference. I've used that method on my bikes including 5
> > years as a bike courier and kept my frames looking years younger than
> > they actually are. put it on like wallpaper, nice even no air bubbles.
> > with a few washes of your bike with a soft cloth you won't even notice
> > it's there.
>
> Very interesting idea for a fix. What do you mean by the last
> statement though? The laminate won't wash off right, leaving me to
> laminate it once again?
>
> Since we're on colnago topic here, one more question.
>
> Given all factors are equal, whats a better bike to choose out of the
> two - Master X-light or CT1. Better in the sense for climbing,
> sprinting, and general performance cost wise.
>
> Thanks

Oh my bad. I didnt notice "BOOK-JACKET" laminate. Wonder how much
weight all that would ass up. It would have to intricately worked
around the tubes to not look weird. I can understand how it will look
clear and nice though.

[raamman@gmail.com]

On Jul 28, 10:26 pm, bicycle_disciple <1.crazyboy.o...@gmail.com>
wrote:
> On Jul 28, 10:16 pm, raam...@gmail.com wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> > On Jul 28, 9:40 pm, bicycle_disciple <1.crazyboy.o...@gmail.com>
> > wrote:
>
> > > I've been reading reviews on Road Bike Review for the Colnago Master X-
> > > Light. The bike handles, climbs and accelerates like a dream, most
> > > say. However, quite a few also point out the problematic paint of the
> > > frame. Chips and nicks are easily made.
>
> > > For a 2000 dollar frame, you would think that they would put more
> > > thought into paint durability.
>
> > > For a potential purchaser of a frame like this, what precautions can
> > > be taken to ensure minimum damage to the frame, apart from keeping a
> > > watch on it more than your baby offspring :)
>
> > > B.D
>
> > you can buy a roll of book-jacket laminate and use that on the tubes;
> > a single layer wraps nicely around, protects against a lot of misc
> > damage and blends in too so your frame still displays it's artistic
> > paint work. when you peel off the laminate after a year you will
> > notice the difference. I've used that method on my bikes including 5
> > years as a bike courier and kept my frames looking years younger than
> > they actually are. put it on like wallpaper, nice even no air bubbles.
> > with a few washes of your bike with a soft cloth you won't even notice
> > it's there.
>
> Very interesting idea for a fix. What do you mean by the last
> statement though? The laminate won't wash off right, leaving me to
> laminate it once again?
>
> Since we're on colnago topic here, one more question.
>
> Given all factors are equal, whats a better bike to choose out of the
> two - Master X-light or CT1. Better in the sense for climbing,
> sprinting, and general performance cost wise.
>
> Thanks- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

no it doesn't wash off, but rain will curl the edges in time so every
year or so you'll want to peel off the laminate and give yourself a
nice fresh clean layer. you won't be able to protect everything on
your bike of course, but you can do the downtube seattube and toptube
very nicely, the stays are a lot trickier because the smaller
diameters and such, but you can protect against errant stones on the
outer parts where chips and scratches will detract from the overall
appearance of the frame. the nice thing is that the laminate is cheap,
$4 or so for a roll and you got your bike covered and some left for
whenever. strip the frame before you start, clean it and wipe it down
so no oil will loosen the laminate glue. the laminate has a paper
backing so you can measure and cut to size and check the fit before
you place it. try to do as large sections as you can, not a bunch of
small strips because that will look ugly, and you do a single wrap
around each tube with no overlap.start at the underside of the tube,
the seam is best on the underside where you won't notice it so much,
and you can make sure it's straight along the centerline or adjust it
easier. do not cut the laminate while it's on the frame because you
will score your paint for sure. when you are checking the fit you will
note where you will have to cut out a small section for your water
bottle bosses-
don't remove more of the laminate backing than you need when you are
putting it on- it will just make it more difficult to work with. you
shouldn't have to worry about the laminate glue; the stuff here is for
books so is made to peel off cleanly without ripping the jacket.

you will learn enough doing it once that the second time you should
find yourself fairly happy with the result.

[landotter]

On Jul 28, 9:49 pm, bicycle_disciple <1.crazyboy.o...@gmail.com>
wrote:
> On Jul 28, 10:26 pm, bicycle_disciple <1.crazyboy.o...@gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
>
>
> > On Jul 28, 10:16 pm, raam...@gmail.com wrote:
>
> > > On Jul 28, 9:40 pm, bicycle_disciple <1.crazyboy.o...@gmail.com>
> > > wrote:
>
> > > > I've been reading reviews on Road Bike Review for the Colnago Master X-
> > > > Light. The bike handles, climbs and accelerates like a dream, most
> > > > say. However, quite a few also point out the problematic paint of the
> > > > frame. Chips and nicks are easily made.
>
> > > > For a 2000 dollar frame, you would think that they would put more
> > > > thought into paint durability.
>
> > > > For a potential purchaser of a frame like this, what precautions can
> > > > be taken to ensure minimum damage to the frame, apart from keeping a
> > > > watch on it more than your baby offspring :)
>
> > > > B.D
>
> > > you can buy a roll of book-jacket laminate and use that on the tubes;
> > > a single layer wraps nicely around, protects against a lot of misc
> > > damage and blends in too so your frame still displays it's artistic
> > > paint work. when you peel off the laminate after a year you will
> > > notice the difference. I've used that method on my bikes including 5
> > > years as a bike courier and kept my frames looking years younger than
> > > they actually are. put it on like wallpaper, nice even no air bubbles.
> > > with a few washes of your bike with a soft cloth you won't even notice
> > > it's there.
>
> > Very interesting idea for a fix. What do you mean by the last
> > statement though? The laminate won't wash off right, leaving me to
> > laminate it once again?
>
> > Since we're on colnago topic here, one more question.
>
> > Given all factors are equal, whats a better bike to choose out of the
> > two - Master X-light or CT1. Better in the sense for climbing,
> > sprinting, and general performance cost wise.
>
> > Thanks
>
> Oh my bad. I didnt notice "BOOK-JACKET" laminate. Wonder how much
> weight all that would ass up.

Probably about 5-6kg if you did it yourself.

[raamman@gmail.com]

On Jul 29, 12:38 am, landotter <landot...@gmail.com> wrote:
> On Jul 28, 9:49 pm, bicycle_disciple <1.crazyboy.o...@gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> > On Jul 28, 10:26 pm, bicycle_disciple <1.crazyboy.o...@gmail.com>
> > wrote:
>
> > > On Jul 28, 10:16 pm, raam...@gmail.com wrote:
>
> > > > On Jul 28, 9:40 pm, bicycle_disciple <1.crazyboy.o...@gmail.com>
> > > > wrote:
>
> > > > > I've been reading reviews on Road Bike Review for the Colnago Master X-
> > > > > Light. The bike handles, climbs and accelerates like a dream, most
> > > > > say. However, quite a few also point out the problematic paint of the
> > > > > frame. Chips and nicks are easily made.
>
> > > > > For a 2000 dollar frame, you would think that they would put more
> > > > > thought into paint durability.
>
> > > > > For a potential purchaser of a frame like this, what precautions can
> > > > > be taken to ensure minimum damage to the frame, apart from keeping a
> > > > > watch on it more than your baby offspring :)
>
> > > > > B.D
>
> > > > you can buy a roll of book-jacket laminate and use that on the tubes;
> > > > a single layer wraps nicely around, protects against a lot of misc
> > > > damage and blends in too so your frame still displays it's artistic
> > > > paint work. when you peel off the laminate after a year you will
> > > > notice the difference. I've used that method on my bikes including 5
> > > > years as a bike courier and kept my frames looking years younger than
> > > > they actually are. put it on like wallpaper, nice even no air bubbles.
> > > > with a few washes of your bike with a soft cloth you won't even notice
> > > > it's there.
>
> > > Very interesting idea for a fix. What do you mean by the last
> > > statement though? The laminate won't wash off right, leaving me to
> > > laminate it once again?
>
> > > Since we're on colnago topic here, one more question.
>
> > > Given all factors are equal, whats a better bike to choose out of the
> > > two - Master X-light or CT1. Better in the sense for climbing,
> > > sprinting, and general performance cost wise.
>
> > > Thanks
>
> > Oh my bad. I didnt notice "BOOK-JACKET" laminate. Wonder how much
> > weight all that would ass up.
>
> Probably about 5-6kg if you did it yourself.- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

the weight is negligible- i have a roll in my file drawer and it
weights less than a cd off the shelf. You know I don't care if you
try it or not, so good luck with however you want to protect your
frame. bye

[raamman@gmail.com]

On Jul 29, 1:40 am, Chalo <chalo.col...@gmail.com> wrote:
> bicycle_disciple wrote:
>
> > I've been reading reviews on Road Bike Review for the Colnago Master X-
> > Light. The bike handles, climbs and accelerates like a dream, most
> > say. However, quite a few also point out the problematic paint of the
> > frame. Chips and nicks are easily made.
>
> > For a 2000 dollar frame, you would think that they would put more
> > thought into paint durability.
>
> I thought crappy paint was one of the traditional virtues of any
> Italian sporting vehicle.
>
> Chalo

your ferrari scratched too easily ?

[DougA]

Seems to me this is a Chinese frame. The Italians, like the American bike
companies have found they they make 700% markup on their frames and still
sell them at a lower price than the homemade product.

"Chalo" <chalo.colina@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1185687640.545950.32620@j4g2000prf.googlegrou ps.com...
> bicycle_disciple wrote:
>>
>> I've been reading reviews on Road Bike Review for the Colnago Master X-
>> Light. The bike handles, climbs and accelerates like a dream, most
>> say. However, quite a few also point out the problematic paint of the
>> frame. Chips and nicks are easily made.
>>
>> For a 2000 dollar frame, you would think that they would put more
>> thought into paint durability.
>
> I thought crappy paint was one of the traditional virtues of any
> Italian sporting vehicle.
>
> Chalo
>

[Chalo]

raam...@gmail.com wrote:
>
> Chalo wrote:
> >
> > I thought crappy paint was one of the traditional virtues of any
> > Italian sporting vehicle.
>
> your ferrari scratched too easily ?

Pink Ducatis and Moto Guzzis spring to mind.

Chalo

[bicycle_disciple]

On Jul 29, 11:13 am, sergio <serva...@df.unipi.it> wrote:
> On 29 Lug, 03:40, bicycle_disciple <1.crazyboy.o...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > I've been reading reviews on Road Bike Review for the Colnago Master X- Light.
> > For a 2000 dollar frame, you would think that they would put more
> > thought into paint durability.
>
> Would it be possible to read such a review verbatim?
> I personally know the official Colnago painter and I promise I shall
> have him read and comment on that.
>
> Sergio
> Pisa

Good idea Sergio. Not that I don't believe you. He needs to know that
hundreds of Colnago users complain about just one thing - paint.
Everything else is top notch. I wonder if by special request, I can
have the paint done such that it doesn't come off so easily.

BD

[sergio]

On 29 Lug, 18:58, bicycle_disciple
> Good idea Sergio. Not that I don't believe you.

So, let me have some texts.

I wonder if by special request, I can
> have the paint done such that it doesn't come off so easily.

Not possible. This guy has an exclusive contract with Colnago: no
other bike frames can he spray but Ernesto's, although they do paint
several other items as well.
If you wish, check it out under www.pamapaint.it, or something like
that.

Sergio
Pisa

[Derk]

sergio wrote:

> Not possible. This guy has an exclusive contract with Colnago: no
> other bike frames can he spray but Ernesto's, although they do paint
> several other items as well.
How come that the Colnago importer here in Holland tells me the frames are
painted in Belgium?

Derk

[RicodJour]

On Jul 29, 6:05 pm, sergio <serva...@df.unipi.it> wrote:
>
> Not possible. This guy has an exclusive contract with Colnago: no
> other bike frames can he spray but Ernesto's, although they do paint
> several other items as well.

He may have an exclusive contract with Colnago, and he only paints
Colnago bikes, but I'd be very surprised if Colnago didn't use other
painters as well. In any event, it would not be unusual for Colnago
to specify a particular paint for all of their painters to use. Ask
your friend what paint he uses.

> If you wish, check it out under www.pamapaint.it, or something like
> that.

URLs are pretty finicky - "or something like that" doesn't work. Do
you have the correct link? Thanks.

Here's the link on Road Bike Review where a number of people comment
on the paint:
http://tinyurl.com/yvhwsp

R

[sergio]

On Jul 30, 10:59 am, Derk <nob...@invalid.org> wrote:
> sergio wrote:
> > Not possible. This guy has an exclusive contract with Colnago: no
> > other bike frames can he spray but Ernesto's, although they do paint
> > several other items as well.
>
> How come that the Colnago importer here in Holland tells me the frames are
> painted in Belgium?

This I can't answer.
Come over, and I'll show you this spraying plant.

Sergio
Pisa

[marcus9000@gmail.com]

RicodJour wrote:
> >
> URLs are pretty finicky - "or something like that" doesn't work. Do
> you have the correct link? Thanks.
>
Google is not just a newsgroup posting host. ;-)
http://www.pamapaint.com/home.htm

[* * Chas]

<marcus9000@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:46ae49eb$0$5640$c3e8da3@news.astraweb.com...
> RicodJour wrote:
> > >
> > URLs are pretty finicky - "or something like that" doesn't work. Do
> > you have the correct link? Thanks.
> >
> Google is not just a newsgroup posting host. ;-)
> http://www.pamapaint.com/home.htm
>
>

Looks like these are the folks that airbrush "the man in the boat" artwork
on Nag' toptubes.

I have 3 Nags, the 4th a 1978 got stolen. It was the only one with good
paint.

The paint on my early 80s was just put on to help the rust develop. I
don't think they ever cleaned off the brazing flux. On my 1987 MTB the
paint on the fork has peeled off in sheets. My 1988 Technos has pretty
good paint but the frame was chromed underneath and the paint chips
easily.

Chas.

[sergio]

On 30 Lug, 23:01, "* * Chas"
> Looks like these are the folks that ...

Chas (whoever you are in real life)
may I print your post and submit it to these folks?
I really wonder if they have some interesting comment, or put up an
ugly face perhaps.
By the way, they have been working for Colnago the last ten years, or
so.

Sergio
Pisa

[* * Chas]

"sergio" <servadio@df.unipi.it> wrote in message
news:1185833853.018490.153490@57g2000hsv.googlegro ups.com...
> On 30 Lug, 23:01, "* * Chas"
> > Looks like these are the folks that ...
>
> Chas (whoever you are in real life)
> may I print your post and submit it to these folks?
> I really wonder if they have some interesting comment, or put up an
> ugly face perhaps.
> By the way, they have been working for Colnago the last ten years, or
> so.
>
> Sergio
> Pisa
>
Usenet is open source. Feel free to quote me. Since all of my Colnagos are
over 10 years old, it shouldn't make any difference to them.

And Chas. is short for Charles, my real name.

[Ozark Bicycle]

On Jul 30, 9:39 pm, "* * Chas" <verktygj...@aol.spamski.com> wrote:
> "sergio" <serva...@df.unipi.it> wrote in message
>
> news:1185833853.018490.153490@57g2000hsv.googlegro ups.com...> On 30 Lug, 23:01, "* * Chas"
> > > Looks like these are the folks that ...
>
> > Chas (whoever you are in real life)
> > may I print your post and submit it to these folks?
> > I really wonder if they have some interesting comment, or put up an
> > ugly face perhaps.
> > By the way, they have been working for Colnago the last ten years, or
> > so.
>
> > Sergio
> > Pisa
>
> Usenet is open source. Feel free to quote me. Since all of my Colnagos are
> over 10 years old, it shouldn't make any difference to them.
>
> And Chas. is short for Charles, my real name.

And the " ** " was your rank in the Army of the Republic of
Anerobia? ;-)

Any further experiences with those brakes?

[* * Chas]

"Ozark Bicycle" <bicycleatelier@ozarkbicycleservice.com> wrote in message
news:1185851279.269395.287460@j4g2000prf.googlegro ups.com...
> On Jul 30, 9:39 pm, "* * Chas" <verktygj...@aol.spamski.com> wrote:
> > "sergio" <serva...@df.unipi.it> wrote in message
> >
> > news:1185833853.018490.153490@57g2000hsv.googlegro ups.com...> On 30
Lug, 23:01, "* * Chas"
> > > > Looks like these are the folks that ...
> >
> > > Chas (whoever you are in real life)
> > > may I print your post and submit it to these folks?
> > > I really wonder if they have some interesting comment, or put up an
> > > ugly face perhaps.
> > > By the way, they have been working for Colnago the last ten years,
or
> > > so.
> >
> > > Sergio
> > > Pisa
> >
> > Usenet is open source. Feel free to quote me. Since all of my Colnagos
are
> > over 10 years old, it shouldn't make any difference to them.
> >
> > And Chas. is short for Charles, my real name.
>
> And the " ** " was your rank in the Army of the Republic of
> Anerobia? ;-)
>
> Any further experiences with those brakes?
>

The Soviet Socialist People's Republic of Berserkley to you sir! That's 2
pips!

The brakes stop great but.... You have to use you fingernail to get under
the QR lever, it's really hard to thread the cables through the cable
clamps, the QRs tend to come loose unless the pads are adjusted very close
to the rims.

Chas.

[bicycle_disciple]

On Jul 31, 7:42 am, LML999 <l...@levitts.net> wrote:
> On Jul 28, 9:40 pm, bicycle_disciple <1.crazyboy.o...@gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
> > I've been reading reviews on Road Bike Review for the Colnago Master X-
> > Light. The bike handles, climbs and accelerates like a dream, most
> > say. However, quite a few also point out the problematic paint of the
> > frame. Chips and nicks are easily made.
>
> > For a 2000 dollar frame, you would think that they would put more
> > thought into paint durability.
>
> The big problem with Colnago paint is that it can't be easily touched
> up or redone due to the beautiful artwork. Other than that, I don't
> find their paint to be any less durable than that on other bikes I've
> owned. My C40 and my Dream both have beautiful paint jobs. The C40 is
> flawless and the Dream has a few of the typical scratches that a race
> bike would. But I take generally good care of my bikes.
>
> If you want a flawless finish, get a titanium bike. Fingerprints and
> grease come off with Lemon Pledge and scratches come out with a
> Scotchbrite pad. Unfortunately, Ti is a relatively boring finish in
> comparison to to Ernesto's finest.
>
> Lee

I'm really worried about this paint issue. Mike Perry from Maestro UK
thinks I shouldn't even bother covering up with coat of book jacket. I
mean, I never had a Colnago steel, this is going to be my first one,
and its been a dream. What is your final say on this, should I really
be concerned about the paint and ditch my dreams?

B.D

[* * Chas]

"bicycle_disciple" <1.crazyboy.only@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1185900467.773034.167130@b79g2000hse.googlegr oups.com...
> On Jul 31, 7:42 am, LML999 <l...@levitts.net> wrote:
> > On Jul 28, 9:40 pm, bicycle_disciple <1.crazyboy.o...@gmail.com>
> > wrote:
> >
> > > I've been reading reviews on Road Bike Review for the Colnago Master
X-
> > > Light. The bike handles, climbs and accelerates like a dream, most
> > > say. However, quite a few also point out the problematic paint of
the
> > > frame. Chips and nicks are easily made.
> >
> > > For a 2000 dollar frame, you would think that they would put more
> > > thought into paint durability.
> >
> > The big problem with Colnago paint is that it can't be easily touched
> > up or redone due to the beautiful artwork. Other than that, I don't
> > find their paint to be any less durable than that on other bikes I've
> > owned. My C40 and my Dream both have beautiful paint jobs. The C40 is
> > flawless and the Dream has a few of the typical scratches that a race
> > bike would. But I take generally good care of my bikes.
> >
> > If you want a flawless finish, get a titanium bike. Fingerprints and
> > grease come off with Lemon Pledge and scratches come out with a
> > Scotchbrite pad. Unfortunately, Ti is a relatively boring finish in
> > comparison to Ernesto's finest.
> >
> > Lee
>
> I'm really worried about this paint issue. Mike Perry from Maestro UK
> thinks I shouldn't even bother covering up with coat of book jacket. I
> mean, I never had a Colnago steel, this is going to be my first one,
> and its been a dream. What is your final say on this, should I really
> be concerned about the paint and ditch my dreams?
>
> B.D
>

An additional coat of clear may provide some protection. This should be
done by a professional painter to ensure that there isn't any reaction
between the original coatings and the new clearcoat.

"Some" of the current Italian paint jobs appear to be much better than
those of 15-20 years ago, which just looking at them hard could cause
paint to chip off!

They apparently didn't do much flux cleanup or metal preparation before
painting. Rust always formed around the braze-ons especially the brake
cable guides on the top tubes.

Chas.

[sergio]

On 31 Lug, 19:41, "* * Chas"
> "Some" of the current Italian paint jobs appear to be much better than
> those of 15-20 years ago,

As I understood, from that guy who sprays Colnagoes all year around,
great care is taken to clean and prepare the bare metal. Also, a
clearcoat is always applied.

By the way, this Pamapaint Company is run by two partners. One is the
one who prepares and submits, for Ernesto to judge and choose, those
elaborate embellishments and replicas of famous artworks. He said that
it is done mainly to make life as hard as possible for candidate
forgers.

Sergio
Pisa