Ray Singh
Posted a lot
More German exotica in my garage now
Posts: 1,985
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Feb 14, 2016 19:22:41 GMT
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My daughter turned 13 in January. I don't know where that time went. She is into skateboards and scooters. She built her own trick scooter at Xmas. Today we went to buy a BMX bike. I found one about 8 miles from home via evilbay that looked quite good. We picked this up today for £30. Its a Felt Panic - I cant find much about this - is it rare? It is rusty and dirty and my daughter and I have already spent most of the afternoon and early evening in the garage stripping it down and cleaning it. Its currently in bits in the garage and we will return to it tomorrow. The most important part was that we bonded over the smell of GT85! We had a great time. Here are some pictures: One question is that the chrome parts like handlebars have a few specks of rust. What is the best way to remove this? We tried Autosol, and this removed most of it. So we went for a fine grade of wet/dry paper. If we wet/dry it, should we laquer it afterwards? Is there an easier way to remove the rust? Things like the stunt pegs have surface rust, but how to remove?
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steveg
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,586
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Feb 14, 2016 19:38:32 GMT
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I've done a couple of bikes and a pedal go-kart for our two children but they haven't shown too much interest yet. I gave soaking chromed parts in vinegar a try, it doesn't make it all fall off but seems to soften it a bit. A bit of wood (I used a clothes peg ) rubbed on the surface takes it off. If the chrome isn't pitted a quick polish followed by some gt85 or oily rag seems to work. Others suggest using coke or oxylic acid, something used for stripping wood apparently. If the rust is bad the best you can do is get rid of the majority of it and keep it at bay with a coat of oil. Not sure how well laquer will stand up. I have either painted bits or had them powder coated if they are too bad. You might want to look on here www.radbmx.co.uk/forum/It's mainly for old 80's BMX's but there are sections for newer stuff and the resto tips are very helpful.
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gazz81
Part of things
Posts: 842
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Feb 14, 2016 21:33:06 GMT
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try a bit of jewellers rouge on the chrome.
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Ray Singh
Posted a lot
More German exotica in my garage now
Posts: 1,985
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Feb 15, 2016 20:16:11 GMT
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Its half term so i went to work today. A day sitting behind a desk - just what I love.......Groan. When I returned the daughter had stripped and cleaned the bike. She lubed all the components and reassembled. She still needs to get the chrome sorted, but its well on the way.... Picture complete with hot chocholate to keep her warm..... The chrome And the finished article - well almost finished - it will always be work in progress.
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awoo
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,506
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wet brillo pads for the chrome, you cant do anything about the pitting but it will remove all the rust, clean it up and polish it. real quick an easy too. brillo to get the muck off, hose it down then dry off and buff up with kitchen paper and give a coat of wax or polish to keep it coming back any time soon.
i restore a lot of old chrome and found this to be the best method in terms of time and using things you find at home in a blue peter fashion.
vinegar is good for for heavy rust but can ruin chrome, it gets under the clear chrome coat and discolours underneath, looks like old nickle instead of bright chrome.
i have heard baby oil can make the tyres look like new, not tried it myself but seen it done and it looked cosmetically better.
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Feb 16, 2016 13:45:39 GMT
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The bike is not rare, its one of felts entry level bikes, bit heavy but sturdy. You could give the chrome parts a bath in citric acid to take the rust spots off and then a polish with autosol. Id advise a set of decent brake pads as the ones that came stock on these are hard as hell and don't work great.
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Frankenhealey
Club Retro Rides Member
And I looked, and behold, a pale horse! And its rider's name was Death
Posts: 3,878
Club RR Member Number: 15
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Feb 16, 2016 15:52:53 GMT
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Kudos to the little lady. You must be a proud dad.
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Tales of the Volcano Lair hereFrankenBug - Vulcan Power hereThe Frankenhealey here
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Feb 16, 2016 18:12:55 GMT
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Kudos to the little lady. You must be a proud dad. Hi, I agree. I've a mate whose son has no interest at all in anything mechanical. She is to be nurtured and treasured. Colin
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Ray Singh
Posted a lot
More German exotica in my garage now
Posts: 1,985
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Feb 16, 2016 18:39:47 GMT
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Thanks the brillo pad worked a treat..... I am a
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Feb 17, 2016 13:06:28 GMT
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I've used tin foil dipped in water to rub rust of chrome. You get black fingers, but it seems to work some kind of magic.
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eBay Rare
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Feb 18, 2016 19:55:54 GMT
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I love building stuff with my girls its great isn't it my eldest is 13 too we built this together last summer she sprayed the wheels herself and i did the rest
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I'd vote for scrunched up tinfoil on the chrome ... See earlier post
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TS
Part of things
Posts: 558
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Mar 13, 2016 14:13:22 GMT
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Is that a Magura hydro brake on the turquoise bike?
To OP it might be worth replacing the cables. Old cables can really hamper the performance of brakes. Great job both of you.
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Mar 13, 2016 18:34:23 GMT
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Is that a Magura hydro brake on the turquoise bike? To OP it might be worth replacing the cables. Old cables can really hamper the performance of brakes. Great job both of you. Yeah its an old spare race light i had in the shed for my trials bike so we stuck it on this they are great brakes
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