Colnago Super Restoration

[SalsaLover]

Hello all,

Here is a pictorial about a late 80's/early 90's Colnago Super ( or Triomphe ) restoration project.

I bought this frame, in the condition seen on these first 2 pictures... it was oversprayed and the chrome was pitted, dull.


Colnago Super Before por Salsa_Lover, en Flickr


Before- Detail por Salsa_Lover, en Flickr

A restoration project like this would be difficult and costly to do in Switzerland, so as I had plans to go to Peru for the holidays, and I knew there was possibility to do good quality chrome and paint jobs there I decided to bring it and attempt a full restoration project.

The first step was off course to strip the paint off and clean and remove dirt, ( this was requested by the chrome shop )

The frame was originally blue, and had a thick coat of white and some black oversprayed on.


Remove Paint por Salsa_Lover, en Flickr

Cleanup por Salsa_Lover, en Flickr

Ready for Chrome por Salsa_Lover, en Flickr

[SalsaLover]

Next step the Chrome Job, we went to an industrial shop that had an 8 meter Chrome pit, I couldn't take any picture on the shop but here is the frame when I picked it up from there.


Just Chromed por Salsa_Lover, en Flickr

Next step, the masking job, we used a heavy duty masking tape and reproduced the same style as used on a Master with the little arrow cutouts on the seatstays.


Masking Job por Salsa_Lover, en Flickr

[SalsaLover]

Now the paint job.
We chose to apply Automotive grade metallic paint in Gold with a final clear urethane Varnish.
The paint specialist adviced we use a phophate base on the Chrome, so the paint could be applied without having to sand it.

Ready for paint


Ready for the base coat por Salsa_Lover, en Flickr


Phosphate base coats ( 3 )


Phosphate base coat on por Salsa_Lover, en Flickr

Metallic Gold color coats ( 3 )


Color applied ( Metallic Gold ) por Salsa_Lover, en Flickr

we let it dry overnight


Color Ready and drying overnight por Salsa_Lover, en Flickr

[SalsaLover]

Next step, finishing it with the stickers.


Applying Stickers por Salsa_Lover, en Flickr


Stickers Applied por Salsa_Lover, en Flickr

we there removed the masking but then I found advice against applying varnish over the chrome, So we did mask it again before the final varnish coat


Masked again and receiving the clear coats por Salsa_Lover, en Flickr

We let it dry overnight and the next day we started the build.

[SalsaLover]

Next Step the build.

first remove carefully the masking, the 3 layers of this urethane Varnish are thick and the bring out the shine on that paint.


Removing masking por Salsa_Lover, en Flickr

Build was using a full 9 speed Record group, including NOS Mavic Open SUP rims, 3TTT stem and 3TTT TDF handlebars


Build with a full 9 Speed Record Group and NOS Mavic SUP rims por Salsa_Lover, en Flickr

Ready for the finishing touches


Built ! por Salsa_Lover, en Flickr

[SalsaLover]

isn't she pretty ?


Colnago Super / Record 9 por Salsa_Lover, en Flickr

Colnago Super / Record 9 por Salsa_Lover, en Flickr

Colnago Super / Record 9 Detail por Salsa_Lover, en Flickr

[CBJ]

Amazing what a cool bike. Love the wheelset too.

[dgasmd]

I realize this restoration reflects personal taste and all, but why the gold color if I may ask? I guess I personally would have gone with black or white besides the chrome, but that's just me. Oh, and that seat looks atrocious in such a magnificent build and restoration project. Again, personal taste I guess!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[btompkins0112]

:wow: Unbelievable!! Spectacular work and a lovely result....

[c50jim]

Sweet!

Lovely renewal with parts that are better than you could have built it with when the frame was new.

[bura]

Congrats!
God saved the Queen.

[caballero]

Wonderful job. Color is superb. Though I agree the saddle isn't the best choice visually.

[Monkeyboy3333]

looks great, how about some Italian tyres? Velo/Vitto's?

[prendrefeu]

Thanks for the awesome documentation! And the finished build is classic, happy riding!

[Miller]

Lovely job and impressive amount of effort. I'm not loving that saddle though and I think even in the early 90s it would have been regarded as out of place on a racing bike, nor am I sold on the white cables, Campag only ever supplied black casings at that time. I think the gold finish is lovely, is it an authentic Colnago paint option?