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Preserving decals and polishing clear coat

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Preserving decals and polishing clear coat

Old 03-14-17, 09:54 AM
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Preserving decals and polishing clear coat

Trying to finish up my Schwinn 11.8 voyageur in chrome. I have the frameset stripped, and want to clean/polish as much as possible. I have a couple questions regarding this process:

- I want to preserve the original decals (what is left of them) if possible. Is there a mild method for cleaning that would leave them in tact? How does one, efficiently, clean/polish in between the lettering? I have heard of people using clear nail polish to protect. Is this standard? What other methods, outside of spray clear can be used to protect the decals from further damage? They are pretty fragile on this bike.

- The chrome is finished in a clear coat, which has some yellowing due to age. I usually use Nu Finish, and then a liquid wax (happen to have turtle wax currently) for some more shine. Will I need to use a cleaner wax or actual compound to rub out the yellowing? Any tips or hints would be appreciated.


Thanks all in advance.
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Old 03-14-17, 10:50 AM
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Yellowed clear coat over chrome will not rub out. All you can do is remove it.

When something survives undamaged, whole, it is not “in tact” but “intact”—one word, unbroken.
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Old 03-14-17, 11:56 AM
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I've had good luck polishing clear coated chrome with Meguiar's Scratch-X 2.0
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Old 03-14-17, 11:57 AM
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Originally Posted by Grand Bois
Yellowed clear coat over chrome will not rub out. All you can do is remove it.

When something survives undamaged, whole, it is not “in tact” but “intact”—one word, unbroken.
O Kay....
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Old 03-14-17, 11:58 AM
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Originally Posted by trailangel
I've had good luck polishing clear coated chrome with Meguiar's Scratch-X 2.0
Did you have yellowing? I have many methods for non cleared chrome, which in general is easy to deal with. I could strip it, but have no desire to do so nor polish often. The bike will see rain/snow/etc.

Thanks!
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Old 03-14-17, 12:03 PM
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Originally Posted by Senrab62
Did you have yellowing? I have many methods for non cleared chrome, which in general is easy to deal with. I could strip it, but have no desire to do so nor polish often. The bike will see rain/snow/etc.

Thanks!
Can't remember if it was yellowing. Bike was 30 years old and the clearcoat was still on the chainstays covering decals.
I just polished and left it.
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Old 03-15-17, 04:28 PM
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Originally Posted by trailangel
Can't remember if it was yellowing. Bike was 30 years old and the clearcoat was still on the chainstays covering decals.
I just polished and left it.
Thanks. Just picked up some parts and ScratchX today. I will post pictures when the project is done!
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Old 03-15-17, 05:35 PM
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In tact, we a have a polite tool to keep our well-bred, gentlemanly bona fides intact.
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Old 03-15-17, 06:35 PM
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Originally Posted by Lascauxcaveman
In tact, we a have a polite tool to keep our well-bred, gentlemanly bona fides intact.
Well played.
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Old 03-15-17, 07:01 PM
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Read this link from Randy Jawa's website:

CLEANING AND POLISHING METAL
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Old 03-16-17, 09:52 AM
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Originally Posted by Senrab62
Did you have yellowing? I have many methods for non cleared chrome, which in general is easy to deal with. I could strip it, but have no desire to do so nor polish often. The bike will see rain/snow/etc.

Thanks!
You can see in pic part of clear coat has come off.... but most remains after polishing with Scratch-X.
Looks like cc came off with wear from chain.
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