What do you guys recommend for cleaning 60 years of crud off a frame. I saw on Classic Rendevous they sell a kit with a copper colored dish scrubber and some mystery oil. I was wondering if anyone had tried this, would the dish scrubber scratch decals? Also, what kind of oil do they use? I want to start working on the 49 Lenton Sports I bought and it is really grungy!

Thanks,
John

I usually wash a frame with dish soap and sponge, with a little simple green for the pesky stuff like greasy bottom brackets. After that I use rubbing compound, avoiding pinstripes & painted lettering, and then I lightly, carefully will compound the decals also.

Then I seal it up with wax

+1 on the Simple Green for the really greasy stuff.

I'd shy away from any kind of scouring pad to wash your frame. Instead try a scrubby sponge used for cleaning cars. They usually have a fabric mesh and won't pick up grit to scratch your finish. Dish soap also works well for the job.

I use Scotch-Brite pads for scuffing primer and paint between coats. I don't use them on the last coat because I don't want it scuffed.

I haven't used Simple Green, but I've heard that it's hard on paint and aluminum.

I've used ScotchBrite pads (the white color pads are the least abrasive, green are more so, reddish-brown more plus) and both Simple Green or WD40 on really bad crud. I've also used a bronze-wool pad. Caveats: Simple Green will leave spots on Aluminum if left for a long-enough period before wash-off. How long? You might find out the hard way. I have been surprised at how durable SOME paint can be under the application or a bronze-wool pad and WD40, but that doesn't mean YOUR paint will be. If unsure, I'd start with the lightest touch: a white 3M scratchy-pad and WD40, followed by wipe off with clean cloth, and YRMV.

Thanks for the input guys, I have used WD40 and paper towels in the past but on this bike it doesn't seem to do the job. The bike is very rough anyway, but I want to save what is there.
John