1977 Schwinn Breeze
02-22-05, 08:39 AM
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Not bike savvy, but looking to restore a bicycle.
Some history: I inadvertantly destroyed my old bike (an el-cheapo affair my Dad bought me when I was 15) when I tried to disassemble it to repaint it from horrible, teeny-bopper pink to black. The bolts on the thing were so crappy they stripped immediately when I tried to take them off. I know if I really tried, and bought some more bolts, I could reassemble it, but I don't want to, because I found something else, something better.
While out thrift shopping I found a 1977 Schwinn Breeze. Best deal ever, it cost me $4.50.
To me it seemed in really good shape, and so I bought it. It looks like everything on the bike is original, which I gather since most of the parts have "Schwinn" stamped on them somewhere.
The chrome on this bike is rusted a bit. I did some research, and what I can tell is people either use brass or bronze wool to clean the chrome, and then they use something like Quick-glo or something else to clean the rust off. In case I can't find Quick Glo (there isn't a bike shop in this city) what else can I use?
Also, is there some sort of spray or coating I can apply that will permanently protect the chrome?
Some history: I inadvertantly destroyed my old bike (an el-cheapo affair my Dad bought me when I was 15) when I tried to disassemble it to repaint it from horrible, teeny-bopper pink to black. The bolts on the thing were so crappy they stripped immediately when I tried to take them off. I know if I really tried, and bought some more bolts, I could reassemble it, but I don't want to, because I found something else, something better.
While out thrift shopping I found a 1977 Schwinn Breeze. Best deal ever, it cost me $4.50.
To me it seemed in really good shape, and so I bought it. It looks like everything on the bike is original, which I gather since most of the parts have "Schwinn" stamped on them somewhere.
The chrome on this bike is rusted a bit. I did some research, and what I can tell is people either use brass or bronze wool to clean the chrome, and then they use something like Quick-glo or something else to clean the rust off. In case I can't find Quick Glo (there isn't a bike shop in this city) what else can I use?
Also, is there some sort of spray or coating I can apply that will permanently protect the chrome?
Last edited by monaleilani; 02-22-05 at 09:00 AM.
02-22-05, 11:48 AM
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If using bronze wool, use it with WD-40 or something similar. It acts as a slight lubricant and also carries off the removed rust. Normal chrome polish which you can find just about anywhere works well on light rust also. Some say that you can use very fine steel wool without scratching the chrome, but I would only use it as a last resort. After cleaning off the rust, remove any sort of oils from the surface(the chrome polish will probably do that) and apply a good coat of wax to the chrome. Re-wax occasionally.
02-26-05, 01:46 PM
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Hi,
I have a Schwinn breeze also, and it is also covered with rust. I like the rust, it proves that the bike has been around. If someone asks, you can just refer to it as "patina".
I have a Schwinn breeze also, and it is also covered with rust. I like the rust, it proves that the bike has been around. If someone asks, you can just refer to it as "patina".
