thenomad

So what color to paint her?
1978 Trek TX-700 Reynolds 531
Campagnolo dropouts and cable guides.

I love the way a frame looks nude with brazing visible.
Wish I could just do it in clear as is. Raw steel. Really tempted to find something that would work even if it'd need to be redone in 2 years.

I'm thinking simple black goes with everything.
Could do metallic silver as a lot came that way but the clear is tougher to get right.

Long wheelbase on it and a nice light frame. Should have a nice supple 531 ride.


Not quite sure what I'll do with it other than a simple SS build and use it for my shorter 3 mile commute next fall.

Guess it never hurts to have another frame around. N+1!

fender1

Just picked up a 1980 710 with no plan either! Always good to have an old Trek around.

[IMG][/IMG]

thenomad

Its a 52 with a 54 tt to it'll fit with some adjustments. I regret selling my Trek 760 with its cool investment ast lugs all over.

I figure, unless it trades up to the perfect size frame then it's not worth the meager $ it can be sold for. Hard to find a hand built in USA lugged Reynolds 531 frame in my price range.

Besides, it can easily hang as garage art till needed!

illwafer

https://www.everbritecoatings.com/car...=index&cPath=7

=

thenomad

Do tell me more. So that's steel with which of the coatings? Easy application? How's it been standing up?

illwafer

yep. raw steel.

i'm using the protectaclear stuff. it is very easy to apply.
here's my original thread:
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...Voyageur-Blung!

in the past couple weeks, i have noticed "sparklies" appearing in the finish. it is hard to explain, but it may possibly be an adverse affect of UV...although that doesn't seem possible.

anyway, its been months and it is well protected so far. not a sign of rust. you can do your own touchups easily.

if you like your finish, this is the product you need to at least try. don't mess with anything else unless you find something similar.

haaseg

Clear powder coat: https://www.flickr.com/photos/gzahnd/439024821/

23skidoo

I'm with you on the nude look but with a fine vintage Trek like yours I'm very partial to the traditional Trek colors in DuPont Imron. Here's a photo of my '77 TX-700 acquired from gomango as a frame and fork. The color as near as I can tell is Medium Gold Metallic N8014 from the Imron color chart. Congratulations on adding an American treasure to your collection. If it was mine I'd start selling stuff until I could afford to have Joe Bell or Chris Kvale deck it out in an Imron metallic. I'll be anxious to see the final results whatever your decision.

thenomad

looks like ill have to get some of that protectaclear!

leaping_gnome

Way to go Nomad! I hope you try your Trek out on some longer rides, too. Also, very nice 23skidoo. I'd be tempted to go with the clear over steel - definitely a nice conversation piece. See you out there. We have a ride starting in San Bernardino the end of the month - maybe I should ride my TX700?

Jim

The Golden Boy 

Rivendell used to offer a clear powdercoat- which I thought looked spectacular.


I've got a 78/79 736- that's a wonderful bike in the omnipresent Trek deep metallic blue...

cobrabyte

That is a fantastic build illwafer!

cobrabyte

I think I remember someone "blackened" their frame once. I think it was done by Fastboy cycles?
Its the same process they use on rifles.
If I understand it correctly, you apply a penetrating oil & heat. This changes the surface of the steel molecularly. Its actually a form of oxidation that protects against red oxidation (rust) and it looks cool too.

thenomad

I did want to get everbrite but was in Home Depot and came across this. I'll give this a shot and see what's up just for kicks. Still need to give the frame another sanding and get a few tough spots done before spray. I figure I'll use this as the tester for others since theres occasional discussion of clear over raw.

thenomad

Uh oh, this may not be what I want. I'm test spraying it on a tool. It smells like wood varnish. Not sure if it actually dries and hardens or is just an oily coating. We'll see. All in the name of science!

thenomad

Got it painted clear. Actually a buddy at work has been scoping out vintage road frames since he likes the Bridgestone touring I sold him before. He's picking this up and swapping all the parts from his aluminum road bike over to it. He loved the raw steel look too. Put a nice vintage Shimano 600 headset on it I've been keeping around. I suppose I lost money on it but giving a deal to a friend is worth it. Especially since its getting new life.
(I just put some parts on it to make it look like a bike for the pics)

Now I need to do a raw bike for myself!

OldsCOOL

Did the paint cure ok?

thenomad

Didn't use the product posted above; it was more like oil or light varnish. I used Rustoleum Clear enamel that I had on hand. I'll see how it weathers over time. Easy to redo if need be. Did some more sanding and prep and wash down to be sure there was no contamination on the frame. It is made for metal sso I'll see how it does long term. Now I need to find something to strip down for myself

vasilebancila

Hello,

Is it posible to use some "dry film protection" like Loctite 8191 (https://www.loctite.co.uk/cps/rde/xch...1000000J863250) to protect raw steel?

Will look fine?

IthaDan 

Nice bump.

Having talked to Steve Crandall (founder and owner of FBM bikes (BMX)), the best course of action he's found is a clear (or tinted clear) powder coat. That being said the cleanliness of the frame is paramount, and even they have the occasional frame with rust starting under and cracking the clearcoat for sale at a discount.

The results are pretty impressive-



If anyone wants me to delve deeper, he's offered to toss a frame of mine in to a batch of his to be powdercoated- I'd imagine he'd at least offer up who he does it with if not let another frame get in on a batch.

thenomad

Wow, cool. I'd consider sending you a frame to get done myself...