Subject: RE: Cosmetically Speaking...
Author: Chuck Sherman
Date: Mar 27, 2005, 1:08 PM
Post ID: 1718607097
When I gat the camera charged (and the day is nice) I'll zap one to ya.
EldoMike wrote:
Hey Chuck, how about a picture of you and your new machine for my website...? EldoMike www.classicguzzi.com ----- Original Message ----- From: "Chuck Sherman" <chucks-@aol.com> To: <Loopfram-@topica.com> Sent: Sunday, March 27, 2005 11:20 AM Subject: Cosmetically Speaking... Your free subscription is supported by today's sponsor: ------------------------------------------------------------------- 2-Day Tax Refund Loans TaxBrain Online Tax Service Get Started Now! http://click.topica.com/caadeMnb1dfltb6M3Zea/TaxBrain ------------------------------------------------------------------- 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. Your free subscription is supported by today's sponsor: ------------------------------------------------------------------- Personals at Meeting Friends Online. Find your perfect partner...We're here to help. Click below to register for FREE and start connecting! http://click.topica.com/caadkIXb1dfltb6M3Zef/MeetingFriendsOnline ------------------------------------------------------------------- |