here's a camera pic of my fixed raleigh. Mine had some surface rust on the chrome parts of the fork but it all came off using a brillo pad. I didn't need to go as far as sanding with sandpaper. I don't know if it'll work on your non-chrome parts however. I was considering painting too but I'm glad I didn't...I like the vintage look of it. I'm thinking of maybe throwing on some chrome fenders.