- Restoration information article reprint courtesy of: Scott McCaskey
- The Classic and Antique Bicycle Exchange http://www.thecabe.com
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- Restoration #1
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- Before you strip a bike that has been house painted or spray painted, try rubbing it down with a generous amount of paint thinner. You may be surprised at what is lurking beneath. Once the top coat of paint is off, you'll likely be able to see the original colors and paint design. If you want to restore your bike to showroom condition, you can use that original paint job as a template.
Cleaning those greasy bearings is one of the most unpleasant tasks in dismantling a classic bicycle. But there is a fast and easy way to get the job done without getting too much dirt under your fingernails. In just minutes, regular pain stripper eats up year's worth of caked on grease and grime. Put the greasy stuff in the full sized coffee can. Pour the paint stripper over the parts and let it sit for 15 minutes. Then, using an old paint brush, scrub the parts with the heaviest deposits. Then just hose off the parts, a nozzle will blast away stubborn grease. You'll be amazed at how clean your parts will be. Be sure to dry the parts to keep them from rusting.
- Restoration #2
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- Polish one of the best ways to keep rust off a restored or original bike. If you can not store your b cycle in an area that is free from dampness and moisture, take steps to protect its finish. Start by using a good, non abrasive automotive wax, such as Raindance, for the point. As with a car, make sure the bike is clean before you apply the wax. Any dirt on the paint could lead to scratches. After you wax the paint, use a good chrome polish on the rims, sprocket, handlebars, hubs and other brightwork.
Many collectors want to buy original paint so that they can touch-up their bicycles. But because your bicycle is probably somewhere between 30 and 60 years old, the factory paint job is bound to be at least slightly faded. That's why using the original paint color on your bicycle's faded paint would make your touch-up job stand out like a sore thumb. Here's what to do: First rub out the paint using a light-duty rubbing compound. You want to make sure you don't disturb the beautiful original hand-painted pinstriping. Then, after your final coat of polish, take a small piece of your bike - the chainguard or horntank " cover, for example - to your local paint store. Have the paint store make touch-up paint that matches your bike's clean, original paint. Buy the smallest can of touch-up paint available.
Should I restore the bicycle or should I leave it original? The collector is going to have to determine this for himself. There is a saying we would like to pass along: "You can restore something a hundred times, but it is original only once."
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