I require opinions on paint

Hi there. I am currently restoring a blue st 70.I want this bike to be showroom condition when its complete. I have spent around a grand on new parts already and obviously need to stay within a buget. The frame requires doing and i want to go back as much to original as possible so first question is what is the best way to remove the old paint and second question is do i have it painted or powder coated? Also when the bike is painted do you apply the stickers before or after a laquer? any input would be appreciated. Do you know any good places to achieve these quandarys. Thanks.

Hi,
You could strip it yourself with paint stripper, which is a horrible tedious job. Or you can take it to be blasted, vapour or soda are the least destructive. As for paint, if can find a sprayer to mix the right colour ( the codes are on this forum ) then good luck. Alternatively, there is always powder coating, same applies. Depends on your taste and how " original " you want your restoration to be. As for the stickers. My understanding is that when the bikes were assembled by the dealers. It was them that applied the decals. This accounts for them sometimes being in different positions. The dealer would not have applied laquer. Hope this is of some help.
Pete.

Thanks for the reply. Applying the stickers after makes sense. I am going to get the frame media blasted then painted. I think i have found someone to paint it.

I used a ford candy blue paint that is as close to original as you will get. Mixed up at the local car paint supplier. All the decals were originally stuck on with no lacquer over the top. Some of the decals like helmet lock and safety were country specific and applied by the dealer before sale which is why you will see them stuck on crooked or in different places.