favorite method to clean a frame?
03-02-09, 12:14 AM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
favorite method to clean a frame?
1st I gotta say - the search function's just not working tonight. I keep getting the strangest results.
So anyway, I've got three old Peugeots: two from 1975, another from the early 80's, all white.
1) With one, it's is amazing shape, no rust, hardly any nicks, and the decals look new. However, around the BB there is a thin film of tough baked-on grease, that I assume has leaked out of the BB over the years. Rubbing it with a rough towel soaked in undiluted Simple Green did not make a dent in it. I tried a bio-cleaner of some type from the bike shop with the same result. I want to remove it without harming the paint.
2) with the other two, both have lost of nicks, some exposed metal, and some rust. What's the best approach for removing rust without scratching or dulling the paint? The 80's model has that "pearl" effect in the paint, so I don't want to screw that up. A friend suggested naval jelly for the rust. Is that safe on paint? And he suggested Simichrome to polish the very oxidized alloy stem and cranks on one of them.
The other thing I was considering on the bike frame was using the type of polishing compound that worked so well on my old cars (before they started clear-coating them).
So anyway, I've got three old Peugeots: two from 1975, another from the early 80's, all white.
1) With one, it's is amazing shape, no rust, hardly any nicks, and the decals look new. However, around the BB there is a thin film of tough baked-on grease, that I assume has leaked out of the BB over the years. Rubbing it with a rough towel soaked in undiluted Simple Green did not make a dent in it. I tried a bio-cleaner of some type from the bike shop with the same result. I want to remove it without harming the paint.
2) with the other two, both have lost of nicks, some exposed metal, and some rust. What's the best approach for removing rust without scratching or dulling the paint? The 80's model has that "pearl" effect in the paint, so I don't want to screw that up. A friend suggested naval jelly for the rust. Is that safe on paint? And he suggested Simichrome to polish the very oxidized alloy stem and cranks on one of them.
The other thing I was considering on the bike frame was using the type of polishing compound that worked so well on my old cars (before they started clear-coating them).
03-02-09, 12:52 AM
#2
Senior Member
Kingsford charcoal starter fluid. Takes off that caked grease like magic. I started using it on a recommendation from a local vintage shop, and never looked back.
Its amazing, cheap, light, clean, almost odorless, and available anywhere.
Its amazing, cheap, light, clean, almost odorless, and available anywhere.
03-02-09, 08:11 AM
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Test it first to be sure it doesn't affect the decals. Once you've gotten the grease off, use a little rubbing compound to remove oxidized paint from the surface and follow it all up with a good wax job.
03-09-09, 07:53 PM
#4
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Thread Starter
The polishing compound did a good job, even on the baked-on grease. But I'll find a neighbor who's firing up the grill and try the Kingsford sometime.
03-10-09, 08:10 AM
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I was able to clean some grime off an old Motobecane I found with WD 40 and a soft rag or paper towels.
Not sure it'll work on baked on grease but its worth a try.
Not sure it'll work on baked on grease but its worth a try.
03-10-09, 01:32 PM
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Dull and corroded alloy parts are nicely polished with steel wool. Steel wool also does a good job of rubbing out surface rust on steel, although it will affect the paint nearby... use it carefully and it will cause minimal effects to the paint.
I have also used Silvo silver polish to polish aluminum and it leaves a mirror finish, but it takes off a fair bit of the surface material too.
The cheapest and most readily available (in any colour imaginable) touch up paint is bought at the drugstore - it is called "Nail Polish."
I have also used Silvo silver polish to polish aluminum and it leaves a mirror finish, but it takes off a fair bit of the surface material too.
The cheapest and most readily available (in any colour imaginable) touch up paint is bought at the drugstore - it is called "Nail Polish."
