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Good morning all.
Does anyone in the UK do a 'Klein-like' paint service for frames?
Gator Fade or Sea & Sky...mmm
Thanks.
JMJ designs, Fat creations, I imagine most decent painters would do it. Won’t be cheap mind.
Will cost an absolute fortune - think upwards of £1000.
I wonder how klein managed to do it back in the day.
Northern Paintworks
I wonder how klein managed to do it back in the day.
Starting with an unpainted frame will knock a big portion of the cost off
When I was on Retrobike there was a couple of guys that did repairs and complete paint jobs for Klein frames. I believe the ones who are really good at it know the types of paints they originally used and what techniques they employed.
Be warned though, even what appeared to be a simple paint job on a Klein was deceptively complex. There are multiple coats of multiple colours for each final colour to get the amazing effects Klein bikes were known for. And an even fade (they tended to do that fade along the tubes on quite a few bikes) is fiendishly difficult to do right. IIRC the decals were painted on with masked lettering also done in multiple layers.
It’s a real shame that sort of high class paintwork has been mostly lost on modern bikes, even some of the best handmade stuff you’ll see at the shows isn’t as amazing as Klein multi fade paint job.
mostly lost on modern bikes
One of the many wonderful things about my new Cannondale is the paint job. It's a metal flake with a flip, which can look blue or purple, even green, depending on the light and the angle, fading to black at the rear axle. It's gorgeous and would cost close to £1k aftermarket.
They look amazing but I couldn't ride one. I'd love a similar paint job on a Geometron or something.
Some of the new Cervélo paint jobs are nice.
The elite 'colour flip/fade' paint jobs on the Stantons are one of the closest I've found to the old Klein paint jobs. Think they do them on other frames too. Not sure how much it'd cost mind. It was a £100 upgrade when I bought a bike from them.
They look amazing but I couldn’t ride one. I’d love a similar paint job on a Geometron or something.
Something like this? One by fatcreations.
Lucia is amazing at putting paint on bikes: https://www.instagram.com/velofique/?hl=en
Top notch flips, a Klein fade and plenty more.
Something like this? One by fatcreations.
Holy crap, that's an eyeful!
Nice colours and top work. Personally I'd dial it back a bit I think.
Jon Rock on Retrobike used to be the go to for UK Klein resto. Probably him on one of the links above tbf.
Linked to him above.. 😉 😁
Northern paintworks do a great job. Not seen him take on anything Klein related. This one has a fade on it though
Jon Rock / Klein's painted is the go to UK guy but there's a long waiting list
This guy has just started offering Klein paint too and feedback has been good
https://www.retrobike.co.uk/threads/klein-paint-job-for-sale.439428/
Here's my Klein inspired Chromag. Chris DeKerf painted it. It's not 'perfect' for the reasons above (mainly no paint codes available) but it's pretty funky.
@walleater
What frame is that? I've always wanted a Chris Dekerf frame. I chickened out when I replaced my hardtail due to the price.
It's a Chromag Arcturian. Mike Trulove welded this one and then went to Chris DeKerf for paint. I think Chris still makes some of the other Chromag frames though.
That Chromag looks mint. That's what I was thinking.
I might try something similar if I ever get another posh bike. It's not really worth it on my Sports Direct Norco.