Protecting your bike's Paint Job
Thread started by
BillyB at 02.15.07 - 8:39 am
I have a 78 Schwinn Varsity that has the original paint, which is in pretty good condition and I'd like to keep it that way.
Since I converted it to a fixie and started riding it however, it seems to be getting nicked and scraped quite easily.
I've put a coat of wax on it (Pledge), but that just made it look nice and shiny and doesn't do anything to protect it. I'm considering putting a clear coat of Krylon spray paint on it, and maybe sanding and touching up a few rust spots.
I've done a google search for a good website on this topic, but haven't found much.
Anybody have some tips on how to keep an old paint job looking good?
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u can try a few coats of clear. that should do soemthing. but if u want to protect that too, u can get tricky and hunt down some 3M clear tape. They use this on many cars now on the front bumper to protect against rock dings. but for the car it's called 3M Clear Bra. u dont even notice that it's there till u get super close to it. i think it'll work great on ur bike. i got some on mine.
t.bone02.15.07 - 10:05 am
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Or, in more of a spray on type thing, just go with automotive clear topcoat, rather than krylon, as that stuff scratches off like spraypaint, the automotive topcoat should be what you're looking for, although it tis a bit costly.
FuzzBeast02.15.07 - 11:15 am
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Good Stuff!
How about those rust spots?
I don't just want to put clear coat over top of it, as it will continue to rust, but I don't want to repaint it either.
Can anyone recommend any type of rust inhibitor?
BillyB02.15.07 - 12:32 pm
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Steel wool is bad news because tiny flakes of steel from the wool make rust develop even faster. Brass wool is a little spendy, but works a lot better on the really bad stuff. I use a combination of brass wool, chrome polish and carnauba wax, in that order depending on the application. For just paint, I use carnauba wax and touch-up paint before waxing wherever it may be needed.
Jeronimo02.15.07 - 6:25 pm
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If you've got a little bit of rust - 000 or 0000 steel wool will work pretty damn well on it by itself. Add a tiny bit of Mineral Spirits to the mix, and the rust will be temporarily eliminated.
If it's a big hunk of rust, get a can of Mineral Spirits and a small brass brush, and rub the rust off. You only need a small amount of Mineral Spirits (to dampen the brush).
If you're worried about the paint job, just go easy with the rubbing/scrubbing etc. Don't press too hard, and don't lose your patience.
ubrayj0202.15.07 - 8:51 pm
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Those green (medium) or gray (fine) Scotchbrite pads work good also and don't have the metal particle/rust issues of steelwool.
mr rollers02.16.07 - 8:26 am
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Rust inhibitors. There are several product that you can put on rust that will turn it into "solid" and prevent further rusting. Some of these product work on a non-evasive chemical re-action called pickling, this has been use for years in metal treatment. They only work on rusted area, no rustie, no workie...But it does turn the rusted areas blackish in color. There's a frame builder who's got a how to here;
http://cycledesign.org/class2/picklexintro.htm
also check;
http://www.theruststore.com/
The shit cost.... but you only need a little (so they are even more expensive unless you have a bunch of buddies who will share the cost)
Clean it, wax it, don't worry about it, you live in a desert....
peace
ps, I haven't tried any of these products because I decided to just powder coat my frame
Redtsunami02.16.07 - 11:13 am
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We are in a desert like environment as far as annual rain fall goes. But I'm out on the West side, and do quite a bit of riding on the beach. I've had a couple of bikes rust up on me in pretty short order.
BillyB02.16.07 - 1:43 pm
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Paint it with liquid latex.
When it's time to show it off/sell it just peal away.
Eric Hair02.16.07 - 5:26 pm
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If I'm not mistaken you can just clear coat over the rust. Without access to oxygen there will be no more rust (better do a good job, though...). Or do what I do, which is nothing. I kind of like the battle scarred look, though.
Samhain02.16.07 - 7:58 pm
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I powder coated my beach cruiser bright yellow. no rust, no nicks, no scratches, ever.
spark02.22.07 - 7:15 pm
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Dont know where u live but....in the Silverlake 99 cent store..
there is this great ,cool stone that rubs out rust. I saw it and wanted to try it since I would only loose 99 cents and man...it worked wonders..It is in the automotive section..its a rectangular,eraser looking thing blue and yellow.Made my chrome shine on my 81'
deesimple02.22.07 - 7:48 pm
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i got one of those little blue and yellow eraser things from the same 99 cent store. i tried it on my old ass chain wheel with no success.
dee, where u been? hit me up.
eric03.30.07 - 9:54 am
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