ctdave

Hi,

I am going to restore a 1960s Raleigh Superbe. The decals are original and in decent (although not perfect) condition. There is some peeling and a few scratches to them. In the past, when I restored an old frame, I simply cleaned and waxed it. However, I did not really care whether the decals remained or not (they weren't in good shape to begin with). On this bike, however, I don't want the decals to get any worse. Will waxing the frame be enough to protect them or should I do something else, such as clearcoat the frame? If the latter, any suggestions or advice on how to to do it? I've never clearcoated anything before. Thanks.

Dave

conradpdx

I'm assuming that your most likely speaking of the striped stickers on the seat tube?

I know from both my own bike and other Sports/Suberbes I've worked on that they seem to be the worse. Not sure why but they don't seem to have been water transfers which were also sealed under the factory clear coat like all the others decals on these frames. Personally I'm just really careful with them and leave them, if the peel is real bad I'll take some small clippers and trim them back a bit, though I guess you might be able to find some sort of adhesive to repaste them down (I don't have a suggestion for a brand for doing this though).

Though if your really concerned there are few people on E-bay that make replacement stickers for a reasonable price. I've thought about this for my personal Superbe, but haven't made the jump yet. But I keep them listed as items to watch so that when the day comes I don't have to hunt them down.

ctdave

Thanks for your reply. Oddly, the stripes on the seat tube are in good shape. The word Superbe is missing a portion of it and the Raleigh sticker on the seat tube is as well. However, they are readable, so I'd like to preserve them. But maybe they are more durable than I think and will hold up fine.

3alarmer 

I just did one of these last month.........the wax I used was ordinary paste wax, and it worked just fine.

I don't know how you would adequately prep it to receive the clear coats I'm familiar with.

ctdave

Thanks. I'll go with the wax like I've done before.

browngw 

A product I use all the time on RV graphics and on my Raleighs is Protect-all. Available from any RV supplier. It is kind to decals and vinyl.

Doohickie

It says "waxes". Is it good for the paint?

browngw 

You bet! That shiny green 1975 Sprite in the pic has been done with it.

Doohickie

I might try some on my Raleigh DL-1.