From boiled linseed oil, to lacquer, to wax, I’ve seen alot of products used and its lead to confusion on my part. To keep it short, I’d like to shine up this frame, the chips, the rust, everything. As you see by the chainstay junction, this has worn off over 50 years. I see a few rebuilds with what I can best describe as a shiny wax patina, and I guess I’m after the same affect. I bought some turtle wax zip wax but it was more of a wash than something to add luster. If it can do chrome as well, that’d be a big plus. Thanks again.
by Stayinthewoods
7 Comments
That paint is probably more dirty than anything. It’s got all kinds of junk embedded in it that will not come off with a wash. Before you go shining it up, hit with some cleaning clay to take all that junk out and save as much original paint as possible.
I have a black commuter bicycle from 1974 that live outside and the paint has turned very dull. Waxing would shine it up but only for a couple of days. A wipe down with boiled linseed oil has brought it back nicely.
I would just run with that beautiful patina, both because it subjectively looks awesome, and because I wouldn’t personally put a lot of time and money/energy into a low end frame like this. But it’s your project, do whatever makes you happy.
I’d start with polishing compound, the same stuff you’d use on an old automobile, followed by some regular car wax, ie, Turtle Wax or similar.
Like pentigen said, polishing compound. Take off the cranks first and anything else and do it right. It takes some elbow grease but it will glow better than new if you do it right. Get a rag and work it like you’re shining shoes.
I cleaned the hell out of my 1958 Phillips and then clear coated the patina’d frame. 4 coats of clear with a rub down of 0000 steel wool in between each coat
Clean – clay – Meguiars Scratch X – Pedros Bike Lust is my formula. Good luck!