matching saddle and handlebar tape

[chef]

Hello. First time post here. I've been reading for a while though:)
Thanks for all the info, its been great. I'm installing interrupters
on my hilsen and I might be able to salvage the tape job, but if
not..... I would like some advice on what tape and shellac to use to
closely match a honey colored b17. Doesn't need to be perfect, if
anything I think a little darker would be better. Any info would be
much appreciated.

[Lee]

I would suggest either orange or red Tressostar tape and four coats of
amber shellac. Newbaum's tape might work just as well, but i haven't
tried it. In any event, here's what four coats of amber shellac on
orange Tressostar looks like with a honey B17 Special:

http://tinyurl.com/26592op

Good luck!
Lee
San Francisco, CA

[James Warren]

Just cinelli tan cork coated with amber shellac does it well. I don't remember how many coats, but you can do one coat a day until you are there.

I think the cork is worth it for the cushion and feel, and I think it gives it a more substantial look. Mine came out really well in appearance with that saddle alongside the older Hilsen darker blue.

-Jim W.

> --
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group.
> To post to this group, send email to rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com.
> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bun...@googlegroups.com.
> For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.
>

[Mitch Browne]

Amber shellac and yellow tressostar is what I used on this Atlantis
(forward of the grips) and on the Expedition / Ideale seat (gray bike)
I was experimenting with recycled inner tube covered with shellaced
yellow tressostar.

http://picasaweb.google.com/101826465968646315137/LatestBikes?authkey=Gv1sRgCKO49bKi3PyhWw#5533815430247023778

After the first coat dry's you can darken to taste since it dry's
quickly after that.

[E.B.]

The usual advice for a *near* match with a honey Brooks is to treat
tan cork or yellow cloth with amber shellac. Actually, white cloth
treated with amber shellac will give the same result as will yellow
cloth. If your honey Brooks has a lot of miles on it and has darkened
substantially, then any of these choices won't be a close match. In
that case, going with a darker tape (like the orange cloth shown by
Lee, or possibly brown cloth) will keep the end result darker, whether
that's good or not. Some experimentation and open-mindedness might be
in order.

How you apply the shellac plays a big role in the desired result. I
dilute the shellac with denatured alcohol, starting with a heavily
diluted mixture for the first two coats and then progress to weaker
dilutions. Thinned shellac initially penetrates the tape well and
applies easily without drips and sags. I like to retain a bit of the
texture of the tape, and I find that numerous, thinned coats make it
easier to control that. I use six to seven coats total, resulting in
a thin, durable finish that dries faster between coats.

Aggressive *brushing* when you apply the shellac will result in more
bubbles in the final finish and more splatters on you and your bike.
If that bothers you, just use the brush to gently control the flow of
the shellac onto the tape. Before your final coat (and once the
previous coat has dried), knock off any little bubbles with fine
sandpaper and follow with a quick wiping of denatured alcohol on a
rag. You're now ready for the final coat.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/35134060@N05/3297247547/in/photostream/

The above is an example of amber-shellacked white cloth with a honey
Brooks. Both the tape and saddle were new when this was taken. Over
time and mileage, the wrap has mellowed nicely, and the saddle has
gained the darker tones and patina as you'd expect. Since the wrap
will never darken like the saddle, the latter will one day become much
darker in comparison.

Finally, I understand some people actually like the "resin" look
obtained by multiple, heavy applications of undiluted shellac. If
that's your objective, realize that it won't have the same durability
and will be prone to chipping or cracking, especially if applied over
padded tape. I've been told that the additives in premixed, canned
shellac reduce its flexibility; mixing your own solution with flaked
shellac supposedly preserves flexibility.

[Johnny Alien]

I think that yellow with amber hits the honey look very well but that
orange looked good as well. Red with amber is going to be closer to a
deep ox blood color.

I would also suggest waiting between coats and checking it out. I have
found that 4 coats starts to hit too glossy status with me but others
really prefer it. I always stop at 3.

[Angus]

It'll rarely be a perfect match....go for contrast...or do what I did,
which is give up entirely.

Angus

[Will M]

For what it's worth, I found 7 coats of Zinsser Bulls Eye amber
shellac (www.epinions.com/Paint-Zinsser_Bulls_Eye_Amber_Shellac_1_Pt)
on the tan cork tape (http://www.rivbike.com/products/show/cork-
handlebar-tape/16-130) to be a touch lighter than the B17 honey:
www.flickr.com/photos/millhiser/3571125023. I also found the Brooks
leather handlebar tape the wrong shade: www.flickr.com/photos/millhiser/2492635988
.