Restoring a clearcoat that has turned yellow
10-17-15, 05:46 AM
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Restoring a clearcoat that has turned yellow
I'm looking for a safe and effective meathod and/or cleaning product(s) that will help brighten the paint on a 1977 Motobecane.
The paint is relatively free of chips and marks, but is very dull looking, mostly due to a dingy clearcoat. The clearcoat has a film of persistent dust that is difficult to wash off and the clearcoat has become yellow-ish with age.
The paint is relatively free of chips and marks, but is very dull looking, mostly due to a dingy clearcoat. The clearcoat has a film of persistent dust that is difficult to wash off and the clearcoat has become yellow-ish with age.
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When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
Last edited by Barrettscv; 10-17-15 at 07:34 AM.
10-17-15, 05:50 AM
#2
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I have never come across one that a good car polish would not brighten up so I am no help. Do you have any pictures?
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10-17-15, 07:05 AM
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Rubbing compound will remove the oxidized top layer of clear coat. Don't get too aggressive, though, especially around decals. Follow up with a good wax job to delay oxidation of the newly exposed paint.
10-17-15, 07:12 AM
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Rubbing compound can be a bit harsh. Try a polishing compound. Rub it on till it dries then aggressively rub it off with an old Wool Sweater or sock.
Last edited by Wileyone; 01-21-18 at 05:08 AM.
10-17-15, 07:32 AM
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Its starting to clean-up. I'm using polishing compound on the main tubes with good results. I'm avoiding the decals and going light on the pin-stripe.
The area near the lugs and bottom bracket shell might require rubbing compound and a soft toothbrush to help penetrate the crevices.
The area near the lugs and bottom bracket shell might require rubbing compound and a soft toothbrush to help penetrate the crevices.
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When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
Last edited by Barrettscv; 10-17-15 at 07:53 AM.
10-17-15, 07:37 AM
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I had this problem on my Le Champion. Yup, light abrasive action with various compounds worked well. I even removed the clear coat completely on the chromed fork ends using, gasp, paint remover.
10-17-15, 08:17 AM
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I'm beginning to see that the gold outline around the lugs is actually gold pinstripe. Prior to cleaning, the yellow tint hid the nice details!
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When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
Last edited by Barrettscv; 10-17-15 at 08:30 AM.
10-17-15, 04:13 PM
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Rubbing compound and Q-tips for some details, especially around decals.
You are removing the oxided clear coat, if there is clear coat. Should look nice.
Be sure to wax afterwards to protect it.
You are removing the oxided clear coat, if there is clear coat. Should look nice.
Be sure to wax afterwards to protect it.
10-17-15, 04:17 PM
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10-17-15, 04:49 PM
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When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
Last edited by Barrettscv; 10-17-15 at 05:37 PM.
10-17-15, 05:17 PM
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Does anyone know when clear coating bicycles became common? I know for cars it started in the late 70's but really wasn't common until the 80's. 1978 just seems early to me for a production bike, especially French, to use clear.
10-18-15, 06:13 AM
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I think that Peugeot used some kind of clear coat earlier than that. It even covered the chrome. It's tough stuff. I stripped a 1974 PA10 fork to prepare it for repainting and it took multiple applications of unsafe stripper to get all of it off of the chrome socks.
10-18-15, 07:00 AM
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The Champion Team…no.
10-18-15, 09:04 AM
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Hi Pete,
Thanks!
I'm going to rebuild, clean and restore it (and try to keep the changes to the minimum). It will then get fenders and large handlebar bag and become my relaxed Randonneur's bike.
Cheers,
Michael
Thanks!
I'm going to rebuild, clean and restore it (and try to keep the changes to the minimum). It will then get fenders and large handlebar bag and become my relaxed Randonneur's bike.
Cheers,
Michael
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When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
10-18-15, 09:31 AM
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Did Motobecane actually use a clear topcoat back then?
10-18-15, 09:47 AM
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I'm beginning to question my initial opinion. Now that the yellowish layer of grease and grime is removed, I'm not finding much evidence of a clearcoat.
Sincerely,
Michael
Sincerely,
Michael
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When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
10-18-15, 10:01 AM
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I was just thinking about the trick about using a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser around the yellowed decals on old Schwinns.
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10-18-15, 10:04 AM
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^Mike, that's a beaut! I'm sure you'll make it minty fresh standout.
As for clearcoat, my original '72 LeChampion finish has partially checked, typical of lacquer. It also had clearcoat that was disintegrating, making the chrome appear as if it was flaking off. Have no idea what they used but rubbing compound would not cut it. Crazy as it seems, iab suggested to just scrape it off the chrome and sure enough, it came off without trouble. That layer is hard and guess I'm lucky its in great shape. Not so much for the paint though and left it alone.
As for the bike, I'm primarily using it as a gravel rider / all rounder. Finally dialed in, 700x32c, re-rigged brake set-up and now Scott / Matthauser pads, re-geared (complete w/ dork disc ;-), custom flared bars, front bag. Just a wonderful cooooomfy rider. Really enjoying it for off-road exploring.
Upper end older Motobecanes are gems. Looking forward to seeing your project done. Cheer's!
As for clearcoat, my original '72 LeChampion finish has partially checked, typical of lacquer. It also had clearcoat that was disintegrating, making the chrome appear as if it was flaking off. Have no idea what they used but rubbing compound would not cut it. Crazy as it seems, iab suggested to just scrape it off the chrome and sure enough, it came off without trouble. That layer is hard and guess I'm lucky its in great shape. Not so much for the paint though and left it alone.
As for the bike, I'm primarily using it as a gravel rider / all rounder. Finally dialed in, 700x32c, re-rigged brake set-up and now Scott / Matthauser pads, re-geared (complete w/ dork disc ;-), custom flared bars, front bag. Just a wonderful cooooomfy rider. Really enjoying it for off-road exploring.
Upper end older Motobecanes are gems. Looking forward to seeing your project done. Cheer's!
Last edited by crank_addict; 10-18-15 at 10:08 AM.
10-18-15, 10:26 AM
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10-18-15, 12:01 PM
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When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
Last edited by Barrettscv; 10-18-15 at 12:09 PM.
10-18-15, 12:18 PM
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Now we'll be following Mike as he barrels downhill on a French contraption.
Would be cool if you bought the Miyata Team Carbon just posted and take the entire Mavic group off for this one....
Would be cool if you bought the Miyata Team Carbon just posted and take the entire Mavic group off for this one....