When trying to learn about how to rehabilitate my 1990 rockhopper, xbiking was always at the top of the search results. Painting advice, parts advice, and basics about how to strip and rebuild an old frame. So it seems right to share the results.
Not the original owner, but it’s been mine since about age 15, or 1998 (when the Undertaker threw Mankind off “Hell in a Cell” and plummeted sixteen feet through an announcer’s table.) *I don’t have a fully assembled before picture*, [but this one was very similar](https://lh5.ggpht.com/_NUT3v0pNW04/TJvb94A286I/AAAAAAAAOYU/JDOh4NmYhfM/s800/DSC_0015.jpg). I’ve never done bike work even close to stripping and rebuilding a frame so I learned a lot. Used my LBS for cables and final tune. Sorry, no Billy Bonkers.
Spraymax 2k primer and gloss coat was often recommended, and I was impressed with the results even with inexperienced technique. They say it’s even more hazardous than regular spray cans. Wear a proper respirator for all spray painting!
Read about more poor experiences with [spray.bike](http://spray.bike) and good ones with montana gold. Also ETOE recommended. No complaints, beautiful blue.
Feels like a shame to trash those original shifter / brake levers. Damage to the left one, right worked well. If anyone here wants those send me a message.
breitbartholomew on
Hell ya- I was 18 during hell in a cell. WWE was wild back then. I was hanging with a bunch of people based in so cal in the straight edge hardcore scene got crazy into wrestling. We would get together to watch raw and all the pay per views and eat vegan food
2 Comments
When trying to learn about how to rehabilitate my 1990 rockhopper, xbiking was always at the top of the search results. Painting advice, parts advice, and basics about how to strip and rebuild an old frame. So it seems right to share the results.
Not the original owner, but it’s been mine since about age 15, or 1998 (when the Undertaker threw Mankind off “Hell in a Cell” and plummeted sixteen feet through an announcer’s table.) *I don’t have a fully assembled before picture*, [but this one was very similar](https://lh5.ggpht.com/_NUT3v0pNW04/TJvb94A286I/AAAAAAAAOYU/JDOh4NmYhfM/s800/DSC_0015.jpg). I’ve never done bike work even close to stripping and rebuilding a frame so I learned a lot. Used my LBS for cables and final tune. Sorry, no Billy Bonkers.
I found these awesome EXACT year specific decals from Indonesia at [https://thelifemachine.com/collections/frameset-decals](https://thelifemachine.com/collections/frameset-decals)
I learned a whole lot from Martin’s channel, ETOE
[https://www.youtube.com/@ETOE/videos](https://www.youtube.com/@ETOE/videos)
These strip discs saved a ton of sanding time. Probably only advisable for steel frames
[https://www.amazon.com/KONIGEEHRE-Stripping-Grinder-Coating-Oxidation/dp/B08HRZFJGT](https://www.amazon.com/KONIGEEHRE-Stripping-Grinder-Coating-Oxidation/dp/B08HRZFJGT)
Spraymax 2k primer and gloss coat was often recommended, and I was impressed with the results even with inexperienced technique. They say it’s even more hazardous than regular spray cans. Wear a proper respirator for all spray painting!
[https://www.amazon.com/SprayMax-3680033-Rust-Cure-Primer-Aerosol/dp/B07CVPGQGF](https://www.amazon.com/SprayMax-3680033-Rust-Cure-Primer-Aerosol/dp/B07CVPGQGF)
[https://www.amazon.com/SprayMax-Glamour-Gloss-Aerosol-Clear/dp/B0082LJMC6](https://www.amazon.com/SprayMax-Glamour-Gloss-Aerosol-Clear/dp/B0082LJMC6)
Read about more poor experiences with [spray.bike](http://spray.bike) and good ones with montana gold. Also ETOE recommended. No complaints, beautiful blue.
[https://www.montana-cans.com/](https://www.montana-cans.com/)
Feels like a shame to trash those original shifter / brake levers. Damage to the left one, right worked well. If anyone here wants those send me a message.
Hell ya- I was 18 during hell in a cell. WWE was wild back then. I was hanging with a bunch of people based in so cal in the straight edge hardcore scene got crazy into wrestling. We would get together to watch raw and all the pay per views and eat vegan food