Challenger1

Hey guys, as far as classical bike restoration goes, I have no idea where to start, but I do know one thing. I love this bike and it rides terrific but I wanna keep it that way! Here's the short of it, I was heading back to my friend's place yesterday and we only had one bike...except for this one sitting in my garage, although we felt it might be risky taking it with a few miles ahead of us. Well we take it anyway, myself riding it and my friend on my bmx bike. Well to our surprise, 3/4 of the way the bmx bike chain snaps, of course I'm laughing at my friend. So once we reach his house I'm loving this bike already, but we then rode all day and I really grew to appreciate it. I found this was my mom's bike back in the 60's I believe. So basically, I'd like to make this my main bike but keeping it vintage looking. Although I don't want it to dwindle in appearance and performance. So guys, without further ado, here it is and I'd like some tips of what to clean it with, take care of the rust with, and if so with what household items to use?

ricohman

I would keep it original.
This are only original once and the rust spots on the chrome parts will polish right out.
I like the rear fender.

Challenger1

Right, that's basically all I wanted to do, I wanted to keep it looking like that, just polish up the blemishes.
Although I just don't know how to go about doing that (wax?buff it?) and if there was anythign else anyone could suggest I do.

BikeManDan

An oxalic acid bath will eat the rust off chrome, the acid LOVES chrome. Let it soak 12-24 hours, wipe it down and it will be gleaming like new.

cyclotoine

start with this...
go to your local hard ware store and find super fine steel or brass wool and I mean super fine. make sure the package says super fine and it has a rating of #0000... use that to lightly clean up what looks like minimal oxidation on the fenders, handlebars wheels.. any chrome or bare alloy part. Then get a clean cotton rag and take some metal polish to it like mothers mag wheel polish or my personal favorite autosol. For the frame whipe it down and wax it with turtle wax or use a product like nu finish (makes my frame really shine). If you are up to it you should repack the hubs, headset and bottom bracket with grease, if not you should have a shop do it. It looks to be in great shape so only needs a little cleaning and should really shine.

Challenger1

Thanks man, I'm gonna get on that asap. I want it done especially soon because I'm heading to the shore for a week in a couple days.

SirMike1983 

I've used bronze wool and Menotomy formula to good effect on chrome for a number of years now. It works well if you're one who tends to use the old style manual method more than an acid bath.

miamijim

Make sure the 0000 steel wool is very well lubricated. DO NOT use it dry. A good method to clean the chrome that you may find easier than an oxilic acid bath is Naval Jelly. Most hardware places should have it maybe even WalMart. I think its in a pink bottle. Apply liberaly, work in with 0000 steel wool, let it marinate then rinse. Give it a good of wax then shine 'er up.

DO NOT rub hard with the 0000 steel wool. Very, very gently so you dont scratch the chrome.

Pasqually

There is a product in Australia that is super fine steel wool that has a soap built in, you soak it under a tap.

The USA must have this also?

It works fantastic and I have been using it for over 20 years.

cyclotoine

we have something called SOS pads.... sounds like what you are talking about. As far as using dry steel wool on chrome, I do it all the time. Chrome is way harder. If you are going to use metal polish after you don't want to have to clean the oil off either.

kemmer

Only use the oxalic acid on chrome pieces though, not painted parts.

Pasqually

Good point about the clean up. I have never tried it dry.

Challenger1

Alright guys, well I went to the hardware store today...but it was closed

Although I made a run to target today and picked up micro fiber applying pads, some Nu Finish scratch doctor and for kicks and giggles some Black Magic Tire Wet to give it the new tire look. I'll be heading to the hardware store tomorrow for some steel wool or the supplies for the oxalic acid bath, what do you guys prefer or can I do both somehow OR...eh I dunno,lol.

Oh and is turtle wax ok for making the frame shine?

Challenger1

So guys, it comes down to this, #0000 steel wool with Naval Jelly as Miamijim suggested or the oxilic acid bath. And guys, I'm really sorry for my lack of knowledge, I just wanna be sure I'm doing this correctly. So if I go with the bath, what exactly does it mean as in terms of what to purchase?

McDave

I have never had a problem with oxalic acid on painted parts. In fact I recommend it for painted frames and forks and is part of my regular routine when restoring a bike. If you have rust bubbling underneath paint in particular, you should also "pop the pimple" so the OA has a chance to neutralize the underlying rust.

Anodized and zinc coated parts should be avoided, and paper backed decals will likely come loose, but OA is great for chrome and painted frames.

McDave

If you're going to give it an OA bath you will want to strip the bike down to the bare frame, soak it in OA for a few hours or overnight, rinse and treat it with an acid neutralizer like Borax or Baking Soda, then spray the inside of the dried frame with Framesaver (or equivalent metal protector).

In other words, you probably don't have time for all that right now so just do the steel wool/navel jelly/wax routine for now.

McDave

Turtle Wax is great. Tire Black is overkill.

PS Don't use the steel wool on the painted surfaces, just the chrome.

mazpr

One small trick I do get almost super fine cleaning method is by using Blue Magic, when dry is like a ultra fine sandpaper. I control its roughness by mixing it with a few pump sprays of Armor All or Black Magic tire shine with a 50/50 with car wax.

Depending on how bad it is or how aggressive the mixture is more or less etc etc. This is how I fix parking lot paint scrapes and still preserve the coat finish.

This is my DIY, just to feel like a tool, lol.

Challenger1

Well, it seems I'll be going with the steel wool/naval jelly/ wax method, and no I will not be using the tire blackener, lol. Don't want it looking too new, but it will come in handy for the cars.

Oh and thanks alot to everyone who helped, my bike is sitting in the garage now in pieces

McDave

A buddy in the show car circuit uses Ivory liquid to wipe down already cleaned tires. It gives them a natural flat black finish. Wipe down, don't rinse off.

Show us the results before you head out, ok?