Mario Vaz resprays

I don't know your standards, but I've seen really nice frames done by Mario Vaz, some have been posted in this thread.

In comparison, people seem, still in this thread, to consider that Argos or Colourtech achieve better quality, although they are more expensive.

I had a frame done by Colourtech: I've asked for it to be done AS PER ORIGINAL, and I ended up with a colour a tone darker, with a metallic finish when the colour was originally plain, different period transfers, they did put the logo on the fork crown but forgot to put it on the top of the seat stays, the lug lining (white onto a purple frame) is either too thick and unregular on the lugs at the front of the frame, or thinner and weirdly "transparent" (you can see the purple thru the white lining which is kind of pinkish white) on the lugs on the back of the frame.
Finally, and I am not the first person to mention that, the paint chips easily...
You would call that a shit job I'm sure, but I don't, because the job is still very nice on the overall look and the final built pleases me, and I would definitely not start a thread claiming that Colourtech are shit. A lot of people are really happy with them, and just like I saw nice jobs done by Vaz, I saw nice jobs done by Colourtech!

Finally, at the time I had that frame done (1.5 year ago), I had never seen any jobs done by Vaz, and few people I met did recommend me not to use him, saying he was bad. I should not have listen to them and save over £100 on the bill! I am pretty confident saying that I would be as happy today.

Loic

I wouldn't disagree. There is a reason Roberts moved from using Dave to Argos. Doesnt mean I've seena good Vaz job in the flesh to date though.

Loic's holdsworth is pretty spiffing. And the Hetchins job recently posted on this here forum looked brilliant.

^ Really?!? When did this happen? @Harry.Major

Not too long ago apparently.
Might be mistake of course. Seem to get most things wrong. i believe its true though, but then don't I always.

Having said all that, I can't decide whether to let him near my Geoff Butler though ... or bite the bullet and go to argos. I want the dents rolled out/filled, mainly, but will have to repaint if I do it.

Go to Atlantic Boulevard.
Cheaper then Argos and of the same quality. The stuff i have seen is amazing, and its apparently that bit cheaper. Win win.

Loic mon petit cochon d'Inde
That was not aimed at you! I read your post, and clearly your experience of Vaz has been good (the holdworth mend / paint, right?).
'Loike' is an affected way of saying 'like', as if spoken with a west country accent

Ha!! This is so funny!

My bad, mon petit coeur en sucre...

Loic

Loic's holdsworth is pretty spiffing. And the Hetchins job recently posted on this here forum looked brilliant.

Just to clarify (I love to clarify today) What was done to my Holdsworth was only replacing the downtube. The gloss black paint that was applied over the repair was done by Mario almost for free (few quids... he removed my stuck seatpost too) as a protection so I could use the frame without getting it redecorated as I don't want to spend money on that frame for the moment...

Loic

If you tally up the cost of paint & prepping material (plus all the aggro) to do a decent home job on restoring a frame yourself- it would seem Vaz is some what of a bargain, in fact its diifcult to see how you really make any money as the profit must be minimal.

Just picked up my first frame from Mario. I asked for removal of all braze-ons, gear hangers etc.. the possible filling of 2 cable guide holes in the top tube, removal of a stubborn bottom bracket/crank arms, an unorthodox colour mix (90% one RAL shade, 10% another) and an identical Olmo brand logo specifically in off white.
He said 2 weeks. He completed it in 11 days and he's done everything I asked and prepared a little touch up bottle. I could be picky and mention the 2 or 3 very slight imperfections (Tiny raised specks of dust or muck in a couple of places) but otherwise it's a fantastic job.
He came across as a warm and genuine guy who enjoys his craft and his workshop is a fabulous place full of beautiful frames and decades of dust and artefacts of a true trade. I like the fact it looks like it's about to fall down or that you can probably hear the rattle of skeletons hairing round on vintage racers if you stayed to long.
If David Lynch started a bike company this is what it would look like.
Great bloke, great job.

How much, Rob?

£98, which I think was £60 for the paint job, £25 for the braze-ons, £5 for the bottom bracket removal and £8 for the logo.
And do you know what 90% RAL 7024 mixed with 10% RAL 3014 gives??? (My guess and hope was a purpley grey)
Purpley Grey!

I've seen double figures of mario's jobs and TBH, they are good for the money and his brother's repair service is second to none.

That said, results have been "inconsistent" at times and the chipping has caused some issues.

His metallics tend to be an order of magnitude tougher than his flat colours due to all the lacquer.

He's a lovely chap and nice to do business with but you need to be careful with chipping.

Mario has painted a Gillott and a Hobbs for me. He did a pretty good job both times, not 100% perfect but excellent value for money. I'll have no qualms in taking my next Project to him.

Mario repainted my Pennine fairly recently. I found him easy to deal with, I thought his workshop was a joy, the price was good, the turnaround was a week, and, most importantly, I was very pleased with the outcome. A couple of phone snaps of it are attached.

I've another frame that needs doing and will be taking it to him.

I do think the name of this thread is unfair. OK, so people will have different experiences dealing with him and it seems that the debate over the pros and cons of different finishes will run and run, but I don't think that warrants Mario Vaz's first Google entry being '= rubbish'.

2 Attachments

TeeTee nice bike maaan..!

The only way to get a thread's name changed is ask the forum's founder, Velocio.

The general consensus over the latter parts of this thread are that Mario's good enough, and pretty reasonably priced, not 'rubbish'. The trick apparently is to be really clear about what you want, write it all down, draw diagrams etc.

I haven't had any work done by him yet, but those that have could have this thread's name altered. Just ask Our Great Leader.

Mario Vaz re-sprays = a bit dodgy but reassuringly cheap

phew...

Has anyone had any job done by Mario lately, is he still around?
Weird... This is the 2nd week I call him and no pick-up... : (

Has anyone had any job done by Mario lately, is he still around?
Weird... This is the 2nd week I call him and no pick-up... : (

bugger- really? I was hoping to get him to do some repairs/touchup on a frame for me.

oh +1 for the thread title being changed. Doesn't seem fair

Has anyone had any job done by Mario lately, is he still around?
Weird... This is the 2nd week I call him and no pick-up... : (

Last i heard... he was selling aerospokes.....

Just got him on the phone. Going there to drop 3 frames !! Finally : )

good stuff. I need to get a quote off him.

For the record, he's always been very polite and friendly to me - can't imagine him saying "fuck off" to anyone without good reason or severe provocation