c.1968 Carlton Continental (renovation)

I have been looking for a British-made Reynolds 531 frame with Nervex lugs on ebay to build into a fixed gear trainer and errands bike for some time, but they always seem to come up at prices I couldn't afford. Last month I noticed this scruffy Carlton up for sale for 45 pound B.I.N (Buy It Now), it was in my size (56cm c-t) so I snapped it up without really truly knowing what model I had bought. I thought it was a decent price for 531 double butted throughout and Nervex in a popular size. The seller said it was possibly a 'Giro D'Italia' or a 'Professional' model, but through a process of elimination and posting on forums, it came back it was actually a '68 model year Continental.

So now begins the process of renovation. The tubes look all good with no defects. Original colour appears to of been light blue with black head tube and seat band contrasts and gold lug lining. The previous owner powedercoated the forks purple but seems to have given up on the frame (!). The wrapover seatstays are gorgeous and something I find quite coquettish. :oops:

Just some 'before' photos:

Then the materials for stripping her original coat; paint stripper, triangular scraper tool 'thingy', wire brush, sandpaper block, wire wool, paint brushes to apply the stripper...

After its striped down and clean its off to the powder coaters for one colour all over. I'm still mulling over which colour but I quite fancy a mocha brown. Then I will apply a teal/turquoise colour on the headtube, seat bands and lug lining. I will do this skilled work with Coach paint and sable brush, which I've heard is the best to use when hand painting smaller areas of frames.

Colour scheme:

The match on RAL is 8025 - i will choose this 'if' the powder coaters have it in stock

Complimented w/brown saddle, skinwall tyres and Brooks turquoise leather bar tape.

updates?

updates?

Its stripped and ready to go to the powdercoaters next Thursday.

Still mulling over what colour.

Might have it done in a Brunswick Green with light blue bands and headtube contrast now.

I'd redo the original paint if it was mine.
Look forward to the results of your labours when it's done.

I like the original color too

any updates?

This looks like a good build... Love the tyres and bar tape :D