Colnago C96 Restoration
09-24-23, 11:14 PM
#1
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Colnago C96 Restoration
Hi. I’ve always wanted to get a vintage road bike to restore, and I finally pulled the trigger. Now it’s time to begin my YouTube binge on how it’s actually done 
Hopefully this Colnago C96, circa 1996, will come back to life after a month or two of tinkering with it in my spare time. I’ll post pics as soon as I’m allowed to…new here.
I’ll start with a basic question now that I have most of the parts removed. What’s your degreaser of choice? Metal polish of choice? Thanks!
Oh, I’ve seen so many restoration videos where and ultrasonic cleaner is used…what do you think of those vs good ole’ elbow grease?
Cheers,
Luka
Hopefully this Colnago C96, circa 1996, will come back to life after a month or two of tinkering with it in my spare time. I’ll post pics as soon as I’m allowed to…new here.I’ll start with a basic question now that I have most of the parts removed. What’s your degreaser of choice? Metal polish of choice? Thanks!
Oh, I’ve seen so many restoration videos where and ultrasonic cleaner is used…what do you think of those vs good ole’ elbow grease?
Cheers,
Luka
09-24-23, 11:25 PM
#2
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Aid and Comfort
Hi. I’ve always wanted to get a vintage road bike to restore, and I finally pulled the trigger. Now it’s time to begin my YouTube binge on how it’s actually done Hopefully this Colnago C96, circa 1996, will come back to life after a month or two of tinkering with it in my spare time. I’ll post pics as soon as I’m allowed to…new here.
I’ll start with a basic question now that I have most of the parts removed. What’s your degreaser of choice? Metal polish of choice? Thanks!
Oh, I’ve seen so many restoration videos where and ultrasonic cleaner is used…what do you think of those vs good ole’ elbow grease?
Cheers,
Luka
Hopefully this Colnago C96, circa 1996, will come back to life after a month or two of tinkering with it in my spare time. I’ll post pics as soon as I’m allowed to…new here.I’ll start with a basic question now that I have most of the parts removed. What’s your degreaser of choice? Metal polish of choice? Thanks!
Oh, I’ve seen so many restoration videos where and ultrasonic cleaner is used…what do you think of those vs good ole’ elbow grease?
Cheers,
Luka
OP's Album.
09-25-23, 01:06 AM
#3
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Thread Starter
And there are my pics! lol, that’s some neat magic there. Here are some pics before any parts were removed…hmm, still don’t have permission but maybe a mod will help again!
09-25-23, 06:27 AM
#4
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Cleaner; WD-40
Degreaser; paint thinner
Polish: Flitz.
I use the ultrasonic on jewelry, rarely on bike parts. I use an old electric toothbrush with Dawn or WD-40.
All the chrome looks to be in great condition!
Degreaser; paint thinner
Polish: Flitz.
I use the ultrasonic on jewelry, rarely on bike parts. I use an old electric toothbrush with Dawn or WD-40.
All the chrome looks to be in great condition!
Last edited by BTinNYC; 09-25-23 at 06:35 AM.
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09-25-23, 06:55 AM
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Several of us use an ultrasonic but think for just a couple bike and no other needs it would be a waste. Everybody has a favorite cleaner, Dawn, OMS, ect. I use both gallon jugs of parts degreaser from local auto parts and/or OMS, again for a couple bikes OMS that is allowed to settle and be reuse as many times as you can to keep the waste and cost down down.
09-25-23, 07:07 AM
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I'm pretty much a by hand guy on all the bikes I work on.
If the paint is decent I normally just use Meguiars #7 to restore the base shine back to the paint.
Parts are normally hot water and Dawn at first or if they are just barely dirty I may just go over them with Lysol wipes. If the grease is dried and hard I like using Citrus degreaser to clean it.
For metal polish I usually just use Mother's Aluminum and Mag polish. I also have a chrome specific I use but can't remember what brand right now. Very fine steel wool can really bring the luster back to a lot of parts. It's really great for cleaning the old spokes on the wheels too. For parts the steel wool is usually followed with a metal polish.
Wet sanding with various grades of fine sandpaper sometimes comes into play also.
If the paint is decent I normally just use Meguiars #7 to restore the base shine back to the paint.
Parts are normally hot water and Dawn at first or if they are just barely dirty I may just go over them with Lysol wipes. If the grease is dried and hard I like using Citrus degreaser to clean it.
For metal polish I usually just use Mother's Aluminum and Mag polish. I also have a chrome specific I use but can't remember what brand right now. Very fine steel wool can really bring the luster back to a lot of parts. It's really great for cleaning the old spokes on the wheels too. For parts the steel wool is usually followed with a metal polish.
Wet sanding with various grades of fine sandpaper sometimes comes into play also.
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Steel is real...and comfy.
Steel is real...and comfy.
09-25-23, 08:14 PM
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In addition to everything that's been said, I find Goof-off to be very useful in removing tape/decal/glue residue. Paint scuffs can be removed with automotive detailing clay bars.
