fender1

Hello,

I will be sending the frame below out for paint shortly and was wondering if the painter would take care of cleaning the corrosion off the lugs and fork ends prior to painting as these are chrome and will not be painted or if I should do it prior to sending?


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repechage

I would consider removing the headbadge and chemically stripping the paint near the lugs, then go after the rust with a very mild chrome cleaner. There is a very good chance this chrome is shot, especially in the areas in the "crotch" of the lugs. Rechroming is not cheap, but neither is a paint job, it is an incremental cost, (I know not a small increment) but it would be a major goof to not address the chrome and attempt to "save" what will not last, even of the chrome gets clear coated, it will not provide a very effective rust barrier.

Some Paramounts had painted lugs, but the chrome is a "signature" of most of them.

Can't tolerate the cost? Wait.

Dr.Deltron

I would say try a brass bristled toothbrush sized wire brush, along with a little chemical stripper, it should work pretty well for that.
It doesn't appear to be rusted too badly.

"Nice lugs, Baby!"

M-theory

"""I would say try a brass bristled toothbrush sized wire brush, along with a little chemical stripper, it should work pretty well for that.
It doesn't appear to be rusted too badly."""

Wait... isn't he sending it to you Dr. D.??? (?) If not, basically that thing should be completely paint-stripped with all rust traces removed (Royal Jelly + brass brush). The lugs need to be masked with putty or at worst with good masking tape (but it will be painstaking to remove!). You also should cover the BB shell openings with cut-out cardboard circles threaded into the holes and stuff bubble wrap into the seat tube.

This is of course only if you are getting the 'deal' paint where the painter is charging less because you do prep work. If it's a full-blown, expensive paint job then I guess the painter will do all of it.

Dr.Deltron

Yes,...and yes.
.
.
as soon as he sees his Trek!

big..

Here's the facelift...(today, tomorrow...color! )

repechage

Dr. D, I would like to read your assement of the chrome when you examine it. Schwinn chrome is tough, but what I see makes me concerned that all is well enough.

You have access to a good chrome shop?

cudak888 

Here is some sound advice: Burnish the chrome THROUGHOUT with fine bronze wool.

If the chrome does not polish out to a beautiful shine, or if there are any imperfections, or if rust is still present, do NOT paint the frame until those areas have been rechromed.

Simple.

-Kurt

fender1

Kurt,

Thanks for the information. Would I apply a lubricant prior to bunishing (oil, wd 40 etc.) or dry?

cudak888 

No lubricant - that prevents the bronze wool from biting in and getting the rust out. However, after the bronze wool, you might want to use Flitz metal polish to shine the lugs up afterwards, to inspect their overall luster and finish. If any rust refuses to come off though - you're SOL...time to rechrome.

-Kurt

Dr.Deltron

Here's todays coloring!

Next. decals & more clear.

fender1

Wow!! Looks great!! I cant wait!!

BTW I think I am going to e-bay the Paramount in this post. The lugs came out pretty well on the initial cleaning but I am just not sure where to go with it. I keep coming back to the fact that I can't put fenders on it and as strange as that sounds, that is a deal breaker for me. Also I as a part of the Paramount /Merlin deal I picked up that Specialized Allez Epic aluminum lugged carbon road bike w/ Shimano 600 group and Campy record 36 hole hubs laced to silver Mavic rims, 7speed. If want a "go fast" bike that is an easier starting point as it needs tires and a chain to be road worhty. Thanks to all for thier input as it helped me decide that this was project that I was not up for.

mswantak

I don't blame you. I would've replaced my Bridgestone 400 with the Trek 520 I bought this summer if it only had eyelets.

dck

Wow!, that's different.

Now, if you could only animate that face to say things...

cudak888 

While stopped at a local bike shop known for ruining or putting incorrect parts on VLWs:

"Stop...molesting...vintage...light...weights...sir..."

-Kurt