Help me choose a frickin awesome paint job for my Salsa El Mariachi !!

[ultrazenith]

Word up to the Retrobike Massif in the UK, and crews from all over the world, yo. Keep keeping it real and smashing the system, wherever you may be.

I need some inspiration for choosing an awesome, 90s-inspired paint job for my neo retro Salsa El Mariachi 29er steel frame. The bike currently looks like this. I've got a mix of blue and purple accessories, but I could live with losing the blue ones if they don't match the new paint job. The purple Onza bar ends, on the other hand, really need to stay unless I can find the same model / shape in a different colour.



In general terms, what I'm looking for is something outlandish, brash, yet classy. I loved the 91/82 Dynatech Diablos, fluoro paint jobs, splatter paint, two colour combos that clash badly, etc. What I hate is the modern trend for all the big brands (Scott, Trek, KTM) to only offer matte black with different coloured text being the only design difference between models.

Below are some examples of paint jobs that have caught my eye over the years:

1. Salsa Jellybean. Classy and would keep the bike true to its Salsa roots, but the white paint's going to show the dirt.



2. Various splatter examples that I love:

3. Multitone with fade



Please add your own suggestions!!

 

[ultrazenith]

4. Subtle two tone fade:



5. Something else cool:

 

[thom04]

Not particularly 90s, but field cycles did some cool paint. https://www.instagram.com/fieldcycles?igsh=Y2IzYXJ6N2NpMm5s

 

[The History Man]

Jelly bean all day long. Iconic.

 

[CassidyAce]

Keep the yellow; add purple beans (or fade or splatter).

 

[Spankyfart]

VooDoo

 

[ishaw]

There are some very nice paint jobs on show here. If I were going to repaint a bike, one scheme I've seen that screams retro, but is also super cool and timeless imho is the team Marin here:

For Sale - 1991 Team MARIN neon fade, 20.5" - dare I say one of the best original 90s MTB out there?!?

I'm going to let the photos do the talking, with the exception a few tiny paint chips this '91 Team is perfect - not much more to add really. Collection preferred from Midhurst area put can will post £80 with insurance. I'm asking £1500 for this stunner :cool: Lots more HD images available via...

www.retrobike.co.uk

Bitd I was desperate to repaint my RTS with turquoise main triangle and pink rear. Never got round to that, would probably have not worked, I just really liked the neon, reminded me of break dance and the socks and laces paired with high tops. The Marin scheme nails that vibe.

 

[Suprachrgd82]

Go with something that inspired the name https://amigoenergy.com/blog/guide-to-mexican-folk-art/

 

[grantoury]

Wouldn't be difficult if it were mine, jelly bean. Hand painted of course. White doesn't get any dirtier than other colours.

 

[R-V]

I'd go the Jelly Bean route too, but with slight modifications to the original, like larger tricolor stripes or something. It would remain iconic, but become a one and only special edition of that, giving respect to the original, but notable to expert eyes that it's a repaint... and should be hand painted, agree about that.