MuddKatt

Does anyone know of any remanufactured parts for the krate bikes?
I had my old pea picker which was in mint condition in the basement for years. Someone put a plastic drop cloth around it which collected the moisture and now it's got rust on the rims, fenders etc...Rear rim is bad. Gear cluster is in good shape, derailers are good, Paint is pretty good, seat is good, forks are good, sissy bar is really mint.
Are fenders and rims expensive to rechrome? or can I buy aftermarket?

BobHufford

Have you tried all the methods of removing the rust? Schwinn chrome can come back pretty well.

Bob

MuddKatt

I have been using some steel wool about four ought. I am going to look for some brass wool tomorrow to clean inside the chain guard areas and the other areas in good shap. The rear rim is really the worst ... heavy rust through the chrome where it was sitting near the concrete. fenders cleaned up a little but they have some chrome flaking up. Front rim is in good shape ..

Amazing thing is the rubber slick is still great.

blaise_f

eBayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy + restoration. Some parts you can get clean enough, some you can get clean enough for replating and the rest you will have to find online. The marketplace here isn't a bad place at all to find parts.

BobHufford

You might try oxalic acid on the rims.

eBay is a good source for parts. The "official" Schwinn forums died recently, but folks are starting to migrate here:

https://www.schwinnbikeforum.com/index.php

Post a wanted ad and you will probably kick something up.

This site was a good place to start.

Best,

Bob

MuddKatt

Thanks all,
I have some barkeepers friend that has oxalic acid in it, or will I need stronger?

I have a feeling I will need a new rim though.. it looks bad.
I checked ebay just now and it looks like they get a premium for parts.

Thanks for that link, I regged over at the schwinn forum and am awaiting approval.

Jeff Wills

The "official" Schwinn chrome polish is Quick-Glo: https://www.quick-glo.com/ . At least, that's what we sold back when I worked in the local Schwinn shop. As Bob said, Schwinn chrome is good quality. As long as it's not rusted through and peeling off, you can usually restore it without a lot of effort.

wrk101

Put down the steel wool, it doesn't know the difference between chrome and rust, and will remove both. And it will not get the rust that you cannot see.

Google oxalic acid, we must have 500 to 600 threads on it already.


Chrome flaking up = chrome is gone, you will probably have to either find replacements or get that part rechromed (or live with the defects). PArts = ebay, sometimes a complete bike is a better choice of parts than buying stuff one at a time.

Glennfordx4

Also check with a good LBS they may be able to get you a new replacement rim for the rear unless it is going to be entered in some show where original equipment is needed. The fenders can be expensive if looking for NOS, but other model Schwinns used the same rear fenders including girls bikes and the reproduction Stingrays & Krates so you may be able to find one that will work and look the same.

tim1217

I have had great results with brass scouring pad with water + Dawn dishwashing to get the major rust off then go back over with 4 ought steel wool (never had any damage/scratches to chrome). If that method will not get the rust off, then you've got rust that has eaten into the metal. It's never going to come off but if you want to still use the same wheel (which you should because it's only original once) try Naval Jelly (phosphoric acid). Lay several sheets of paper towels in the sink and place the wheel on top with the rusted section over the towels. Goop on, and I mean really goop on the Naval Jelly until you can't see the rust. Now walk away and forget about for at least 48 hours. With rubber gloves on, rub the jelly off with the brass scouring pad and then rinse off with water and dry. Like I said, it's not going to look like new but it will get the surface rust off. Where it has eaten through will just be black.

MuddKatt

Thank you all , I did get the oxalic acid at the true value hardware. Now to wait for a break in work to try that.

will paint be ok with the oxalic?

I'll give it a shot to see how the rim looks first but I will keep looking for a stamped rim on ebay.
if that fails I'll get some naval jelly.. I doubt I'll hurt much after that.