Subject: Cosmetically Speaking...
Author: Chuck Sherman
Date: Mar 27, 2005, 9:20 AM
Post ID: 1718606593
So - here I am with a dirtbag barn queen. To prove to the wife I'm not
a complete idiot for buying a 30+ year old bike via the internet, I
gotta clean it us ASA friggin' possible.
Fortunately, after nearly 30 years of car and bike restoration, I have
this gig down to a near science. In choosing to buy this bike, I made a
promise to myself that I would leave it in 'as-found' condition - no
new, resto, or repop stuff will find its way onto the bike. Clean it
up, get it running right...and leave it be.
First step is to push the bike into the open; can't start it...it's
gotta be cold for the next step. Then - spray the ENTIRE bike with a
liberal coating of Bleche wite (bleach white). If you've never used
this stuff, it truly is the bomb. Caustic as hell (pH of 12+), bleche
wite is normally used for tires. Used on a bike - it cleans, degreases,
and brings back the alloy brightness (kinda) all in one step. Spray it
on, leave it for 15 minutes or so, and power wash.
Never ceases to amaze me how well a bike looks after this 20 minute
clean job. I've bought bike folks thought were junkers, given them 'the
treatment' and been able to flip (sell) them for more than I bought them
- simply because the time was taken to clean the bike.
Had to repeat the degrease step three times to get it 'right'.
Then the next step - get rid of any surface rust.
Similar process, this is - spray the bike liberally with Naval Jelly.
This is kinda risky, because Naval jelly can eat aluminum if the part is
hot or the stuff is left on too long - don't ask how I know this.
Anyway, 15 minutes of soak and a LIBERAL washing down will get rid of
80% of surface rust. The remaining tough spots you gotta clean with
naval jelly and a toothbrush. I'm on the 4th application in some spots.
After these steps are comeplete, the bike looks COMPLETELY different - a
new machine. A quick coating of haze remover to get the shine back, and
you'd neve know the bike had been sitting for years. very nice, and I'm
completely pleased with the result.
Next steps are to spot-paint the stone chips and polish the alloy with
Wenol. If you've never used the stuff -- it's amazing. Wenol will make
the Borranis look like chrome - honest.
Hopefully, when I'm done I'll have what looks like an extremely well
maintained original bike - we will see.
Getting the shiny side shinier,
Chuck.