Unfortunately I'm not permitted to upload any photos of my bike as I've just made this account so I will try my best to describe it until l'm able to post:


This mercier has been sat in our barn for a while and I would really love to get it back to a rideable standard. I'm not looking to 100% restore it within the period as I'm really not that well versed in vintage french bike restoration, or any for that matter! (I'm also having an incredibly hard time identifying it because there are two misleading decals on it, a 'special tour de france' which dates to around the mid 70s and a 'grand prix des nations' decal which dates back to 1963) I'm very new to the 'restoration' of vintage/classic bikes (I assume this classifies as one) and I would be greatful for any pointers on how to move forward, or maybe there's someone who has had experience with old french bikes like merciers and peugots that can point me in the right way!

In terms of the other bike parts, they're all definitely in salvagable condition. The 'Belleri BF' handlebars have cleaned up extremely well and are ready to be wrapped, the brake levers are still in good condition and both 'CLB' brake calipers could do with a small amount of de-rusting and a replacement of the breakpads. The rest of the parts are a lot more rusty, there's potential for them to look as good as new but the rust is rather stubborn apart from the Huret Svelto derailleur which looks close to facotry new after having removed the grease and dirt.

I know all that surface rust on the frame is going nowhere unless I completely strip the paint but I like the idea of keeping that look and just de-rusting and cleaning up the other parts on it in sort of a 'rat rod' style ( I would say it's around 70% rust and 30% orignal paint which is a very lime metallic green that shows through rather well). What's the best way to go about de rusting the other bike parts, I've heard for more stubborn rust that chemical cleaners like evaporust are very effective. Is that the way to go or would I be able to get away with a simple coke and vinegar solution soak? And in terms of the frame as I want to keep the old, worn look what would be the best sealer to stop it from getting anymore formidable in the future? I'm also unsure as to what specific tools would be necessary for taking the bike apart so any help on that front would be massively appreciated!