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Archived: Restoration Tips





RESTORATION TIPS - MISC:   A little bit of everything. posted by: Jolene robalewski on 7/10/2006 at 11:48:05 PM
Hi everyone,
I recently found this next to a dumpster:


I know it's a Sears Roebuck,
but does anyone know the model of the bike?

I am new to restoration,
but the bike needs a lot of work so I have a few questions:

-What is the best way to remove rust?
The handle bars have some spots where is seems as though the rust ate through the paint.
-What is the best way to remove the paint?
-What type of paint should I use to repaint the bike?
-Do I prime first?
-Does anyone know where I can find replacement decals for the bike?

I know it's a lot to ask,
I just want to make sure that I make the bike look as great as I am sure it used to.

thanks a lot,

-jolene


   RE:RESTORATION TIPS - MISC:   A little bit of everything. posted by Brian on 7/11/2006 at 2:22:01 AM
Jolene, That bike looks pretty nice the way it is. If it was mine I would just clean it up, lubricate all bearings, moving parts and cables and install new tires. That bike will never be valuable as a collectible. Collectors want original paint bikes. The most extreme thing I would do is to maybe paint some of the bad spots on the fenders. Use any glossy black spray enamel. You could always replace the handlebars. Any local bicycle shop that repairs bikes should have them or be able to order a similar bar. If you insist on a complete repaint: What I do is remove everything from the frame. Strip all the old paint down to bare metal using sand paper, files and single edge razor blades. Fill dented and imperfections with autobody spot putty. Sand smooth. Spray with primer. Sand with very fine paper. Fill imperfections again. Spray with another color primer. Sand again. You will see where the first color primer stays in low spots indicating the need for spot putty. Apply the final finish using 3 or 4 light coats not one heavy coat to avoid runs. Sound like a lot of work...It is! Believe me, I would keep that bike original. To clean up the chrome, use very fine steel wool and an auto paste wax. Some people will tell you to uuse "brasswool" as the steel wool will cause rust, Actually it is the steel wool fibers left on the chrome that will rust. Just wash the chrome and polish with wax after using the steel wool. I dont know where you can find decals for that bike. If you do paint, just mask off the decals. The blue masking tape intended for indoor house painting works well as it wont stick too tight to the dacals, you dont want the tape to pull them off. Give that bike a good cleaning and a wax job and it will look fine. Brian
http://oldbike.homestead.com/




RESTORATION TIPS - PAINT:   Where to begin? JC Higgins posted by: Doug on 7/7/2006 at 3:18:19 PM
I have always been into old cars and car related stuff like gas pumps. I recently acquired a JC Higgins Bicycle. My daughter (15 years old) is after me to restore it for her. It's in pretty rough shape (the entire bike is painted black, rims and all), but looks salvageable. Mechanically, I have no doubt I can handle the project, but I am no painter or body man. It seems pretty complete, rusty handle bars and all. The reality is...if the bike is worth restoring it may be better in the hands of a pro? I do not know where to get things like tires, peddles, handle grips, seat, rims etc.? I guess if I spent the time, I could find most things. Most items are on the bike (even the fenders, the back one is a bit dented), so I am not sure if I should try to save them or just find replacements? How do I identify the year or model and determine what the bike should have looked like (paint scheme etc.) and determine if I should even waist the time or money? Any advise would be appreciated. If it is worth fixing and not going to cost me a fortune, I think I would like to restore it for her 16th birthday and I'd like to start soon. Her birthday is in October.



   RE:RESTORATION TIPS - PAINT:   Where to begin? JC Higgins posted by Brian on 7/11/2006 at 2:58:37 AM
Doug, Looks like you need a good rider not an accurate restoration. See my comments to post above. I would go your local bicycle repair shop and buy new chrome rims. If your front sprocket is for skip tooth chain - 1 inch pitch, you will need a 1/2 inch front sprocket to match the rear sprocket that comes with the new rear wheel, That will allow you to use modern new chain. You can also get new chrome handlebars, chrome crank, pedals seats, tires and tubes, crank and neck stem bearings at bike shop also. Since this is going to be a resto-cruiser. I would paint in daughters favorite colors, its hers dont worry about it being correct.
I have a nos set of Wald replacement chrome balloon tire fenders, new chrome cranks, chain guard, handgrips and a lot of other stuff you will need but most all of that you can get from a local bikeshop that doesnt specialize only in road or mountain bikes. Feel free to email me. -Brian
http://oldbike.homestead.com/

   RE:RESTORATION TIPS - PAINT:   Where to begin? JC Higgins posted by DEBI on 8/7/2006 at 10:36:03 PM
i AM LOOKING FOR HANDLEBARS FOR A 60'S jc hIGGINS BIKE. cAN YOU HELP ME???

   RE:RESTORATION TIPS - PAINT:   Where to begin? JC Higgins posted by DEBI on 8/7/2006 at 10:36:24 PM
i AM LOOKING FOR HANDLEBARS FOR A 60'S jc hIGGINS BIKE. cAN YOU HELP ME???




RESTORATION TIPS - PAINT:   plastic seat cleaning posted by: Patrick on 7/3/2006 at 10:06:29 PM
Hello,

I am currently restoring an old Leader tricycle and am almost finished save for two things:

1) The white plastic seat is looking a bit grimy and the textured surface is tough to get clean. What would be the best solution for this. My friend is trying to convince me to prime and paint it but I'm not sure how a painted seat cover would go over.

2) Pedals. These are the type of pedals that slide onto the crank and are capped with the intention of not coming off. I've looked high and low but I'm beginning to think that I'll have to carve my own out of wood. Any other suggestions?

Any comments at all are welcome!

Thanks!



   RE:RESTORATION TIPS - PAINT:   plastic seat cleaning posted by brian on 2/23/2007 at 7:58:15 PM
hey dude
for the seat just use some greased lightning degreser.....works like a cham.....i used the same thing on a troxel seat w/ texture material and it worked great




RESTORATION TIPS - PAINT:   paint codes? posted by: RJ on 6/27/2006 at 9:53:13 PM
where can i get paint codes or paint names for 1950's schwinns?





RESTORATION TIPS - MISC:   parts ? parts posted by: Nancy on 6/23/2006 at 3:14:03 PM
In order to get the original 1950's look of my schwinn 20" DX (J-40) I need: boy scount junior handlebars, 3" cresent fenders and an appropriate seat. Extras would include a tank, truss rods, horn, and torpedo light. Looking for direction in finding these items... have checked the popular sites but may be 'inquireing' incorrectly. Any help is appreciated.


   RE:RESTORATION TIPS - MISC:   parts ? parts posted by Nancy on 6/23/2006 at 3:19:54 PM
sorry for the double post :)