Tucked quietly into a nondescript industrial zone in northern Italy, a smashed car sits permanently parked outside a non distinct warehouse. Dark and unassuming, the building gives no hint of the creative magic inside. But as we stepped through its doors, the brightly lit contrasts was immediate and brilliant. This is home to the creative and technical mind of painter and owner of Kings Spray, Fabio Possenti.  

Above: Fabio in his Kings Spray workshop, Italy (image Alison McGregor)

Inside, Fabio Possenti’s workshop at Kings Spray opens into a cathedral of creativity. A soaring ceiling floods the space with natural light — light that flatters every gradient of paint, every dusting of pearl, every perfectly drawn decal. This is where some of the world’s most celebrated bicycle frames are brought to life in full colour. And this is where many of our frames throughout the years have been personalised for Australian riders.

Below: Frameset prepped with pink paint and ready for the decal application 

(image Alison McGregor)

It was here that Fabio painted my own very first Dedacciai in 2012. That bike marked not just a beginning for Chainsmith’s journey into custom builds, but also a relationship with an artisan whose hands have painted for brands including Pinarello, Cinelli, Passoni and now Titici alongside countless others — though you won’t hear his name from them. Like many great craftsmen, Fabio remains behind the curtain, a silent partner in the perfection their clients proudly ride.

But for us, he’s never been a secret. Fabio's creations are seen in our store, and King's Spray instagram is alive for all to enjoy.

A World Within the Workshop

During our recent visit, we spent hours exploring the corners of Fabio’s domain. Each room serves a distinct purpose: wide tables for the early stages of design; prep areas where frames are sanded and masked; a dedicated section for the intricate task of decal production and application; separate painting rooms where colours layer and blend; and finally, storage for curing and inspection.

But before any of these processes begin, for our clients, the first step is communicating to Fabio your chosen colours, creative ideas, and details that distinguish your bike from any other. For the many riders who purchase a custom frame, making choices like these is the hardest part of buying a bike. In fact, it can take longer to develop paint ideas than to choose the bike itself. That's where a clear creative mind must be trusted to take the reigns. All Fabio needs is a few ideas to transform into a graphic. This step allows you to visualise the finish long before Fabio touches a tin of paint.

Below:  The Chainsmith Team visit Fabio & Decals applied by Kings Spray staff 

(image Alison McGregor)

When the frame reaches the workshop stage, every step is meticulous. Every stroke is deliberate.

In one quiet moment, we watched Fabio’s father — who once ran the business himself — painting a frame by hand. You imagine the air should smell of acetone and lacquer but the space is so large that the air remains fresh. While decades of dedication hang heavy, showing in age-old materials or equipment, the modern aesthetic reflects Fabio's extreme sensitivities to current and future trends. Small tins of paint bringing new metallic colours and sensational glitter finishes, each costings hundreds of euro per litre. The unique finishing options are so varied, and impress on riders to such an extent that Companies have used the term custom to blanket anything that isnt off-the-shelf product. And when you see the variations on display, you understand the reason behind it. These are personalised frames making dreams into reality.

The Power of Paint

As we spoke over espresso, surrounded by drying frames and shimmering tins of colour, the conversation turned — as it often does — to the perils of the bike industry. Of changing fashions and shrinking margins. There is awareness that this is not isolated, but a worldwide experience. But then, our conversation drifted back to what matters: expression, individuality, artistry.

Above: Fabio is not limited by Frames, but includes all manner of carbon components to paint 

(image Alison McGregor)

No matter the brand stamped on the downtube, Fabio can make a frame yours. He works with clients who want full bespoke finishes, or those who simply want to reimagine a trusted frame with new life. We’ve long said it: paint transforms a bike. It’s the final layer of personality in a rider’s story. How many riders do you know who chose their bike (whether it was the wrong or right model or size) for the colour alone? We are aesthetically driven and emotionally attached to our machines. Colour or graphics are ways to express who we are, as much as who we want to be.

A Brush With Genius

Fabio’s range is limitless — from refined monochromes to graphic explosions of colour. His eye for proportion, placement, and tone is intuitive. He doesn't just paint bikes; he paints emotions, stories, ambition. Every Chainsmith client who has commissioned his work has come away with a ride that speaks louder than any logo ever could.

In a world where sameness has somehow become synonymous with prestige, custom paint remains the rebellion — a representation of character, of passion, and of one’s drive as well as their personal story. This can't be achieved by generic produced palettes.

Above: Dedacciai Road Frame - distinct for this Sydney Rider 

Below: Dedacciai Gravel Frame - paintwork is one-of-a-kind marble finish

(image Alison McGregor)

"You understand synergy when every chosen and installed component comes perfectly together so that your movement with the bike feels seamless."

(Article, Custom Bikes compared to Generic bike sizing)

This visit reminded us why we do what we do. At Chainsmith, we don’t just build bikes. We build relationships with those who elevate cycling to a performative artform and mutually connect to the importance of perfecting a specific rider's bike.

And Fabio? He’s one of the finest artists we know.

Related Reads:

• Custom Builds: How Paint Personalises Performance
• Custom Bikes Compared to Generic Bike Sizing

Explore More:

• Interested in a custom-painted frame? Let’s Talk