Stephen opined:
> As I understand it the unique "Gios Blue" cannot be duplicated
> today due to
> some nasty chemicals that are no longer used or allowed in paint.
> Maybethey still allow it in Italy? I'm sure others have a better
> technicalexplanation.
It would seem to me that the environmental laws in the European Union are now stricter than those in the US, so since Gios is still painting their frames the same colour blue, I rather doubt that it has anything to do with chemicals. One of the painters on the list like Brian or Joe can probably chime in, but I think that it is simply a multiple step paint process that most painter's don't have the patience to replicate. Like the Bianchi celeste and Legnano chartreuse, I was always led to believe that you needed to first apply one colour, followed by another, something that requires too much time for most people today.
Personally, I doubt that there is any colour that cannot be replicated perfectly using today's paints.
Twenty years ago, when working for a company that made reflective safety equipment, I attempted to paint a frame using a then experimental black 3M paint developed for use on road signs. It was black with a metallic gold flake during the day and highly retro- reflective gold when lights shone on it at night. It didn't apply very well to the rounded surfaces of the frame (it was designed for flat signs remember), but I have always thought it would be an interesting finish.
Steven Maasland
Morrestown, NJ