Direction for restoration of Frejus
#51
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An alternative to the OA bath is to wrap the frame with shop towels soaked in Evapo Rust, then wrap the sopping towels with plastic wrap (I used mover's wrap for the task) and let it sit overnight, then remove it all and gently rinse and wipe dry.
It kills the rust, though admittedly does nothing about the interior of the tubes the way a full soak would. Evapo Rust is at least non-toxic, so much so that it's used to clean cast iron cookware, and can be re-used several times. It does not appear to create problems when used on multi-metallic objects, and my only caveat is that it may react to gold-foiled stuff on mylar decals - but the Frejus isn't French, so you're probably fine there, too.
Or you could go get some ER at Tractor Supply on sale, maybe two gallons for around $17 a gallon on sale, and use assorted objects under a tarp in a kiddie pool or a large box to create a space that conforms to the frame and soak it. Then after rinsing and drying, either 3alarmer's suggested Turtle Wax or my old favorite Meguiar's polish, gently, to clean things up.
It kills the rust, though admittedly does nothing about the interior of the tubes the way a full soak would. Evapo Rust is at least non-toxic, so much so that it's used to clean cast iron cookware, and can be re-used several times. It does not appear to create problems when used on multi-metallic objects, and my only caveat is that it may react to gold-foiled stuff on mylar decals - but the Frejus isn't French, so you're probably fine there, too.
Or you could go get some ER at Tractor Supply on sale, maybe two gallons for around $17 a gallon on sale, and use assorted objects under a tarp in a kiddie pool or a large box to create a space that conforms to the frame and soak it. Then after rinsing and drying, either 3alarmer's suggested Turtle Wax or my old favorite Meguiar's polish, gently, to clean things up.
#52
“Senior” Member
One issue I had with evaporust
I have used evaporust many times with great success with one exception. On my 70s Lygie which had a white pearlish paint— it turned the paint green. Just a very thin layer. The only thing I can surmise is that they paint had some type of metallic flake in it that reacted to the evaporust . I had to polish out the frame to get rid of the green cast and re-coated with a white pearl top coat. Much more work than I planned on.
If if you use evaporust—and I still highly recommend it—I would definitely soak it to get full benefit
i soaked mine mine in a wallpaper trough from Home Depot and did one side at a time. Of corse did have to manually do the seat post.
If if you use evaporust—and I still highly recommend it—I would definitely soak it to get full benefit
i soaked mine mine in a wallpaper trough from Home Depot and did one side at a time. Of corse did have to manually do the seat post.
#54
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Thread Starter
@BlueDevil63 Your Frejus is impressive. My has the same colors, though yours looks more black rather than the deep chocolate color of mine.
#55
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Thread Starter
An alternative to the OA bath is to wrap the frame with shop towels soaked in Evapo Rust, then wrap the sopping towels with plastic wrap (I used mover's wrap for the task) and let it sit overnight, then remove it all and gently rinse and wipe dry.
It kills the rust, though admittedly does nothing about the interior of the tubes the way a full soak would. Evapo Rust is at least non-toxic, so much so that it's used to clean cast iron cookware, and can be re-used several times. It does not appear to create problems when used on multi-metallic objects, and my only caveat is that it may react to gold-foiled stuff on mylar decals - but the Frejus isn't French, so you're probably fine there, too.
Or you could go get some ER at Tractor Supply on sale, maybe two gallons for around $17 a gallon on sale, and use assorted objects under a tarp in a kiddie pool or a large box to create a space that conforms to the frame and soak it. Then after rinsing and drying, either 3alarmer's suggested Turtle Wax or my old favorite Meguiar's polish, gently, to clean things up.
It kills the rust, though admittedly does nothing about the interior of the tubes the way a full soak would. Evapo Rust is at least non-toxic, so much so that it's used to clean cast iron cookware, and can be re-used several times. It does not appear to create problems when used on multi-metallic objects, and my only caveat is that it may react to gold-foiled stuff on mylar decals - but the Frejus isn't French, so you're probably fine there, too.
Or you could go get some ER at Tractor Supply on sale, maybe two gallons for around $17 a gallon on sale, and use assorted objects under a tarp in a kiddie pool or a large box to create a space that conforms to the frame and soak it. Then after rinsing and drying, either 3alarmer's suggested Turtle Wax or my old favorite Meguiar's polish, gently, to clean things up.
#56
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@BlueDevil63 Your Frejus is impressive. My has the same colors, though yours looks more black rather than the deep chocolate color of mine.
Very cool old bike, despite the neglect, a worthy project.
#58
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#59
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Thread Starter
Ahh, but are your fenders stamped "Frejus"? I got the real deal.
#60
Senior Member
WoW!
.
.
.
Just, WOW!
.
.
.
Save the paint and decals!
Do as little as possible. Stabilize the condition to prevent additional corrosion. You can always do more later on.
For example - The rusty cable guide could come off but I say leave it in place for now. Get rid of rust (Evap-O-Rust), add oil to slow re-corrosion. Removing bolt and spreading clamp could crack it.
Polishing compound is an abrasive in paste form. It is quite seductive but dangerous to paint. Be EXTREMELY gentle with that or don't use it. How about a cleaning and waxing, instead.
.
.
.
Just, WOW!
.
.
.
Save the paint and decals!
Do as little as possible. Stabilize the condition to prevent additional corrosion. You can always do more later on.
For example - The rusty cable guide could come off but I say leave it in place for now. Get rid of rust (Evap-O-Rust), add oil to slow re-corrosion. Removing bolt and spreading clamp could crack it.
Polishing compound is an abrasive in paste form. It is quite seductive but dangerous to paint. Be EXTREMELY gentle with that or don't use it. How about a cleaning and waxing, instead.
#61
Senior Member
UGH! Look at the lock ring on the bottom bracket. Someone used a screwdriver and hammer trying to remove it. Rusted in place, all they did was cut a groove into the ring.
The ring has to be removed for maintenance but get a proper tool kit.
The ring has to be removed for maintenance but get a proper tool kit.
#62
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Direction for restoration of Frejus
Counter-clockwise to remove, then clockwise to install. Fixed BB cup, Italian threads (and everything else except left pedal threads. Right hand threads. (Careful with the threads on the BB shell. Italian is the largest diameter BB so there is no re-tapping to a larger standard. (See https://www.sheldonbrown.com/cribsheet-bottombrackets.html)Ben
#63
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@rootboy, it's nice to see you back. How are you?
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
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“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
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Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
#65
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It sounds like your approach is similar to @Wildwood post. So, how would I "polish" the paint, and clean the flaking paint without going the route of a complete immersion of the frame? Use a car wax? Use a brush with nylon and hit the worst spots? Then rub in a product by hand? Not sure I understand this approach. It sounds less extreme than a total bath, just not sure how to do it.
The oxalic acid bath isn't that bad really. It's mostly water, very little oxalic. Then there's the alternate idea of a molasses bath (Google "rust removal molasses") - mostly water and a bit of feed-grade molasses mixed in.
-Kurt
#66
Senior Member
Thread Starter
An alternative to the OA bath is to wrap the frame with shop towels soaked in Evapo Rust, then wrap the sopping towels with plastic wrap (I used mover's wrap for the task) and let it sit overnight, then remove it all and gently rinse and wipe dry.
It kills the rust, though admittedly does nothing about the interior of the tubes the way a full soak would. Evapo Rust is at least non-toxic, so much so that it's used to clean cast iron cookware, and can be re-used several times. It does not appear to create problems when used on multi-metallic objects, and my only caveat is that it may react to gold-foiled stuff on mylar decals - but the Frejus isn't French, so you're probably fine there, too.
Or you could go get some ER at Tractor Supply on sale, maybe two gallons for around $17 a gallon on sale, and use assorted objects under a tarp in a kiddie pool or a large box to create a space that conforms to the frame and soak it. Then after rinsing and drying, either 3alarmer's suggested Turtle Wax or my old favorite Meguiar's polish, gently, to clean things up.
It kills the rust, though admittedly does nothing about the interior of the tubes the way a full soak would. Evapo Rust is at least non-toxic, so much so that it's used to clean cast iron cookware, and can be re-used several times. It does not appear to create problems when used on multi-metallic objects, and my only caveat is that it may react to gold-foiled stuff on mylar decals - but the Frejus isn't French, so you're probably fine there, too.
Or you could go get some ER at Tractor Supply on sale, maybe two gallons for around $17 a gallon on sale, and use assorted objects under a tarp in a kiddie pool or a large box to create a space that conforms to the frame and soak it. Then after rinsing and drying, either 3alarmer's suggested Turtle Wax or my old favorite Meguiar's polish, gently, to clean things up.
Do you wipe with water or alchol? It seems like a bad ideas to re-introduce water to exposed steel? I have my Frejus wrapped in Evapo Rust now. Planning on taking the wrap off tonight/
#67
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I actually rinsed with water and wiped dry. With small parts I was literally dunking stuff into a bucket of water, swishing the part around and shaking the water off as I removed it, then wiping off as much water as possible. For the frame and fork I used a hose at low pressure, but I bet a wet sponge or cloth would work as well, followed by drying it off. I guess you could use alcohol and take advantage of its rapid evaporation, though.
#68
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@rootboy Is this pic from down the Cape?
What a concept! Outdoor showers. Never seen that before I moved here.
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Mine are stamped just like that. But yours have a bit more red paint in the "Frejus" than mine did. BTW, watch those little elongated acorn shaped cap nuts on those stays.
I had one rattle loose and fall off on a ride. Of course, impossible to find another. I had to make one and boy, that wasn't exactly easy. Just FYI. I used thread locker on them after that.
#71
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Life is good, better now than in many years. Steadier work, better pay, more miles on the bike.
I haven't taken an outdoor shower in a while, but they are a pleasure. We had them on Fire Island when I was growing up. A friend of ours has one in the Catskills.
I haven't taken an outdoor shower in a while, but they are a pleasure. We had them on Fire Island when I was growing up. A friend of ours has one in the Catskills.
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
#72
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#73
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3TTT Record did not launch until 1971 so could not have been OEM.
Gaslo is an Italian brand of handlebar raiment.
Company produced handlebar end caps and cloth handlebar wrapping tape.
The correct Gaslo end caps for the cycle were of stamped aluminum sheet and had the Frejus name.
This set is slightly too early for your example but gives an idea as to appearance (and cost ).
https://www.ebay.it/itm/FREJUS-GASLO...vZR:rk:11:pf:0
When not private labelled Gaslos look like this.
https://www.ebay.it/itm/Ciclismo-Vin...3KuY:rk:8:pf:0
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#74
Senior Member
Thread Starter
-----
3TTT Record did not launch until 1971 so could not have been OEM.
Gaslo is an Italian brand of handlebar raiment.
Company produced handlebar end caps and cloth handlebar wrapping tape.
The correct Gaslo end caps for the cycle were of stamped aluminum sheet and had the Frejus name.
This set is slightly too early for your example but gives an idea as to appearance (and cost ).
https://www.ebay.it/itm/FREJUS-GASLO...vZR:rk:11:pf:0
When not private labelled Gaslos look like this.
https://www.ebay.it/itm/Ciclismo-Vin...3KuY:rk:8:pf:0
-----
3TTT Record did not launch until 1971 so could not have been OEM.
Gaslo is an Italian brand of handlebar raiment.
Company produced handlebar end caps and cloth handlebar wrapping tape.
The correct Gaslo end caps for the cycle were of stamped aluminum sheet and had the Frejus name.
This set is slightly too early for your example but gives an idea as to appearance (and cost ).
https://www.ebay.it/itm/FREJUS-GASLO...vZR:rk:11:pf:0
When not private labelled Gaslos look like this.
https://www.ebay.it/itm/Ciclismo-Vin...3KuY:rk:8:pf:0
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