suggestions for cleaning paint around lugs ??
 

Only part of the paint job on the Carlton I'm not thrilled with is the finish around the head tube lugs. Painter got some paint on some of the chrome edges. I want to paint the lug lines but don't want to go over existing paint as it is kinda rough.

KF

If I understand your question, you want to remove the paint from the edges of the lugs? You can buy very narrow Riffler hat'll work very well to do that. You can get such files at many hobby stores, jeweller supply stores and even some big box stores.

They look like these:

http://cdn.toolstation.com/images/13...bbig/24550.jpg

two cutting ends and are curved. You should be able to get one that's just the width of your lug thickness.

Cheers from Miele Man

Great! I am having another painter look at it to see if he can do something with it if not i will give this a go. Thanks!

The paint should but up against the chrome lug, the side of the lug. Any paint that gets on top can be easily removed with a razor blade or exact-o knife.

On mine the paint around the lugs was no different.

http://i1128.photobucket.com/albums/...ps409f95fc.jpg

http://i1128.photobucket.com/albums/...ps336b4aac.jpg

Once the lug lining is done,it all goes away.

http://i1128.photobucket.com/albums/...ps922c4fdf.jpg

I use this brush for lug lining. Also, practice on another frame first.

http://i1128.photobucket.com/albums/...psbd461d9b.jpg

http://i1128.photobucket.com/albums/...ps95a9a3b1.jpg

Thanks Michael. The paint is not on top of the lugs so it may be fine. However the paint on the lug sides is not very smooth or clean line and I'm afraid by going over the top of the existing white with gold lug lines my look sloppy as well. Any suggestions to smooth out the existing paint and clear coat before the gold lug lines are applied ?

KF

You have to be very careful. The I guess you can remove the larger bumps of paint with a sharp exact-o knife. Just be very careful, only work in the area the paint line is going to be on. You will be surprised how paint imperfections can be covered up by lug lining.

I've heard that 'side of the lug' called the shoreline. FWIW, amongst the junk/tools on my bench I always keep a couple of dull razor blades and exacto blades. Dull enough to not cut things well but real good for shaving surfaces. Shaving goop off steel or glass or chrome. These might work on those shorelines. A dull exacto blade tip may give you a very controlled shave/scrape back to clean chrome. I say 'shave' as I lay the blade pretty flat to the surface and shave the surface. Will not be able to cut in but will catch the edge of whatever is stuck to the surface and break it away.

I also keep a couple of scraps of formica countertop material. Harder than finger nails but softer than steel. Another good scraper for chrome and aluminum surfaces. May help.

Nail polish remover and detail sponge frome a Beuty place.

Work Slowly...
 

...and wear a magnifying loop, glasses, or headset. Magnification helps a lot when working on detailed areas.

+10. Preferably, somebody else's.

I'm about the cheapest guy here and I have and would pay $40-50 to have a nice frame detailed and hand pinstriped it is an artform.

Lots of people use paint pens for the lining. I have also used a pen nib dipped in Testor's paint. They come in lots of sizes so you can experiment with different line widths.