any recomendations for ways to clean up an old bike and make it look as good as possible?

mine looks pretty good considering age, but the chrome could use a shine, and there are some bits of rust/cracking on the chrome that I believe could be worked out. also shining the paint, and removing general grime that has accumulated over the years?

any wonder products for this type of stuff that you guys can recomend?

thanks!

8/22/2005 1:28:58 PM

first use windex to remove the excessive dirt and corrosion, then use either mothers or turtle wax chrome polish on it to remove the rust and polish the chrome. a good cleaner/wax like meguirs will bring back the old paint if it isnt too badly oxidized, if so, then you will need to use a polishing compound first. then on any brushed or cast aluminum, use eagle one never dull wadding followed by mother's billet polish with a dremel tool is necessary. finally clear coat any aluminum you polish or just put a heavy coat of wax on the aluminum and chrome. the materials arent that important, taking your time and doing it right is what makes or breaks it. just from personal experience, plan on spending 10-20 hours on a badly neglected bike.

8/22/2005 2:49:20 PM

thanks for the info. sounds like it will be a decent job. this stuff readily available at advance or something?

8/22/2005 2:59:37 PM

on my dad old bike we just used a softer wire brush on the end of a drill. it worked great, just use a light touch so you only take off the rust.

8/22/2005 8:37:29 PM

^ for gods sake dont do that unless you want to completely destroy it

8/23/2005 11:16:55 AM

^yeah I'd be really worried I'd fuck it all up using a power drill

maybe some fine steel wool or sandpaper and do a wet sand. again I'd only do that if I was willing to repaint or replace the part

8/23/2005 5:57:44 PM

neve-r-dull.

eagle one

8/25/2005 7:21:45 PM