WillBradley1

Hi there,

Just curious if anyone has tried a proper proffesional dip and bake clear coat ontop of an old paint job, keeping the chips but preventing rust. I have several battered old frames ive done many miles on and am pretty fond of the chips. Something dies with a complete repaint, also in some cases, the exact decals will be almost certainly un-sourcable.

Guessing there will be a bit of an issue with it not bonding to raw steel without a primer?

non-fixie 

I wouldn't. I've seen the result and didn't like it. No way of undoing it, either.

The classic solution is a wipe-down with an oily rag every once in a while.

randyjawa 

My guess would be that the coating would be too thick. Too thick would hide frame lug and pantograph details, if any. Just an opinion - never actually tried it.

Murray Missile 

I've done a Schwinn Prelude with a couple light coats of Krylon Clear Enamel and I was quite pleased with the results. The paint was dull and some of the decals had faded slightly. It brought the shine back, brought some of the color back out on the faded decals and stopped any further rusting of the bare spots and no one could tell unless I told them. I also did my Grandfather's 1920's Deitz kerosene lantern 15 to 20 years ago. I simply cleaned off the loose rust and gave it 2 light coats of clear enamel. It retained the rustic look and kept it from rusting more. We use it when the power goes out and the heat from the flame has had no effect on the finish.

The difference in the following pictures isn't that noticeable but in person it was quite a difference.

BEFORE:



AFTER:

ramzilla

It depends. If it's an expensive classic bike that you're going to keep in the living room then, no. Don't clear coat it. Ride it on sunny days and keep it clean with furniture polish. But, if it's going to be a daily rider for workouts & commuting in the rain then, yes. Clear coat that bike. A nice clear lacquer in a spray can is a good choice.

WillBradley1

I’ve been doing the oily wipe down solution for the last couple years without too much bother, it’s on a treasured Benotto pista that I bought extremely battered and have riden for many many miles around Copenhagen. I don’t think I can bring myself to clear coat it, despite people showing some nice results. Maybe just over the decals, as they are really on there last legs. Anyone have any tips specifically for preserving decals?

due ruote 

I think it makes sense to clear over a bike like the Schwinn shown below, that basically looks new, to freshen it up.
Over an aged patina makes no sense to me. Keeping the patina is about embracing the aging process that happens as an object is used. Freezing that process with a shiny coat runs counter to that aesthetic. Likewise I can't stand seeing a nice old worn antique wooden piece that someone has "fixed up" with a couple coats of gloss polyurethane.

scarlson 

I once did some two-part clear over the well-worn patina on an old Moto Le Champion. In my estimation it came out ok, no complaints from the owner I did it for!

If you go this route, start with just a dusting and ramp up the coat thickness as you go. "Fat over lean" as they say.

Classtime 

I repainted an old classic with terrible paint and I'll never do it again. I put clear lacquer over another one and wished I hadn't. I carefully used rubbing coumpound around the decals on a third and then put three coats of car wax on a third and that is my go to patina preservation technique from now on. Try it. You can always spray it later. If you spray first, you have to live with it. A few coats of was after a good rubdown is sweet.

ramzilla

If you got a fine old bike with scratchy paint try this. Get a aerosol can of cheap furniture polish. Like lemon pledge or something. Spray it on the bike. Take a soft rag. Wipe it down. Perfect. Be good. Have fun.

Bad Lag

Pledge is a silicone oil.