Classic & Vintage - Vitus 979 Clean-up

I recently bought a Vitus used and am looking to clean it up a bit. There s what looks like oxidation all over the frame. What can I use to clean this off without damaging the finish?

Thanks

Note: I did look and it seems like most of the threads are for painted Vitus frames, mine in plain Aluminum
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I don't recall seeing a plain aluminum Vitus 979. Every one I have seen sported an anodized finish. Is it possible that yours is also anodized?

Find a spot on the frame that will not be easily seen and try some aluminum polish on it. Perhaps pick under the bottom bracket or stays. If the material starts to shine, then it is alloy. If not, it might be an anodized coating.

The joints are like all the ones here that I see, but the tubes are just plain aluminum. My picture of the whole frame is too big to upload. It looks like this one minus the decals (http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1417/606923037_0534d025fa.jpg). Is it ok to use aluminum polish on both the tubes and the lugs/joints?

I think the 979 that was issued in a clear anodized version, so they were sold as the silver version of the frameset. If corrosion has occured under the anodizing and had spread, you will not have any choice but to remove the anodizing and polish off the corrosion from the aluminum. Hopefully, the corrosion is not that bad and no severe pitting or perforation had occured that can structurally compromise the frame tubes. Very important as any big flaws in the crystaline structure of the aluminum caused by any major corrosion might propagate into cracks later. I don't think re-anodizing is an option as it could affect the bonded joints.
An easy option would be to paint over the cleaned up tubes. If you want a color change or use a clear resin based coating like "Everbrite" or other tough industrial grade clear coatings like "Nyalic", both products succesfully used for years by motorcycle and car enthusiast (Not sure how available Nyalic is to the public, but I know you can get Everbrite off the internet), if you want to maintain a natural aluminum finish.

Chombi

I've decided that I'm going to just sell the frame...what do you think it would be worth with the corrosion? How much with a DIY repaint like chombi suggested?

If you are going to sell it, I wouldn't bother with a DIY repaint. That will take out as much value as the corrosion--possibly more if not done well. Hard to say the valuation without seeing the full bike (other factors, such as size and where you are located, can affect value). The mods prefer that valuation questions be posted here:
http://www.bikeforums.net/forumdisplay.php/273-Classic-and-Vintage-Bicycles-What-s-it-Worth-Appraisals-and-Inquiries

If you do sell the frame, include the odd 25.0mm seatpost if you have it.

I've decided that I'm going to just sell the frame...what do you think it would be worth with the corrosion? How much with a DIY repaint like chombi suggested?

What size is it?

979s haven't sold for that much in the last few years, unless it's in perfect, NOS condition. Typical max prices for very good, near mint condition used 979 framesets had been stuck at around $220 - 240ish (on a very good day) for a while now, for a popular color and size. One in this corroded condition and most likely missing most of its decals might not even bring half of that, unless it has some special feature like aero/"losenge" section frame tubes. Unfortunately too, the 979 frames are still doggedly followed by the mostly already disproven reputation of having questionable quality tube to lug bonding which had also kept the price down for the framesets.
If the what looks like mostly surface corrosion had not affected the tubes and bonding on the frame structurally, I'd say it still might be worth your time restoring and keeping it. A beautiful polished, corrosion free, silver 979 frameset might only be a polishing bonnet, compound and some elbow grease away.

Chombi

What size is it?

56cm. I'm in the suburbs of Philly, so the bike market is pretty good...

Does anyone have recommendations for a polishing compound?

Thanks!!

I'm surprised that this silver model is so badly oxidized. The silver version was anodized. This kind of damage shouldn't have happened.
I noticed from your pics, the few details I see, makes this 979 unlike any I've seen. Is this an early generation?
It definitely doesn't look like mine or the later version with grub screw seat cluster. The seat stay bridge looks different and I don't have a chainstay bridge with kickstand hole!

A damaged/challenged 979 frame goes for $50 down here. Unless they are pristine, no one cares for them due to the rep Chombi mentioned.

I'm surprised that this silver model is so badly oxidized. The silver version was anodized. This kind of damage shouldn't have happened.
I noticed from your pics, the few details I see, makes this 979 unlike any I've seen. Is this an early generation?
It definitely doesn't look like mine or the later version with grub screw seat cluster. The seat stay bridge looks different and I don't have a chainstay bridge with kickstand hole!

A damaged/challenged 979 frame goes for $50 down here. Unless they are pristine, no one cares for them due to the rep Chombi mentioned.

Actually, I did notice earlier that the brake bridge shape does look more like the ones I've seen on Alans and not Vitii..... The bridge behind the BB that I also see in the pics isn't something I remember seeing on Vitus frames too.....Is this an Alan or something else??:rolleyes:....more pics pls.....

Chombi

Here are some more pictures :)

Is stay Pechiney Aluminum where the head tube meets the down tube.

On the chain stay, there is a sticker that says made in France and has what looks like a V (It's blue and White) next to it.

I tired to get some close-ups of these, but my camera is terrible :notamused:

Could it be a Puego Comete instead? 233432233433233434233435233436233437233438

Peugeot Comete....or Galaxy frame then. It's mostly a Peugeot project using what I understood to be mechanical/dry joining methods with the lugs and tubes.. Not sure if Vitus even had that much involvement....... I think they did clear anodize these frames and put on clear/blue stick-on decals over it originally.
Watch out1, although many are still being ridden without problems out there, the frames were all recalled/exchanged by Peugeot and scrapped because supposedly of frame joint problems.

Chombi

Peugeot Comete....or Galaxy frame then. It's mostly a Peugeot project using what I understood to be mechanical/dry joining methods with the lugs and tubes.. Not sure if Vitus even had that much involvement....... I think they did clear anodize these frames and put on clear/blue stick-on decals over it originally.
Watch out1, although many are still being ridden without problems out there, the frames were all recalled/exchanged by Peugeot and scrapped because supposedly of frame joint problems.

Chombi


+1.

So...I know these aren't supposed to go here, but what do you think it's worth? - If anything... :(

(Should I create a new thread in the C&V - What's it worth?)

Peugeot "Pechiney" Aluminum frames only sell for decent money when they are in mint, NOS/complete, original bike condition. and I think mostly as conversational pieces as some collectors like the fact that they escaped the Peugeot's big recall and scrapping effort on the bikes = rarity. A Galaxy/Comete frame in the condition yours is in will be a very hard sell in the C&V collector community. I dunno, ...........maybe around 80 - 90 bucks....... at most.

Chombi

Would polish clean it up?

Would polish clean it up?

If the corrosion is indeed under clear anodizing, it will be a lot of work trying to get it off with just polish alone as the anodizing presents a very tough barrier. You might have to strip the anodizing off completely with some lye based product (like oven cleaner or something stronger) so you can even get at the corrosion. After that, you will have to scrub off the corrosion with coarse Scotchbrite pads, till all of it is off and you are down to clean base aluminum material.....then the polishing could start either by hand or with a variable electric drill and polishing wheels, using finer and finer grades of compounds. A dremel with polishing bits will also be helpful to get into little corners.
It's a very messy job that requires a lot of elbow grease, but as many have found out in this forum, including me, it's very theraputic once you get into a "rhythm" and very rewarding as the results are usually so much better than what one might first expect.....just take your time and don't rush it.

Chombi

If it is a Peugeot Comete in 56 cm my brother would be very interested in it if you could ship it.

Ok. Thanks for the help Chombi!