End of Week 1

It's been a busy week working on the bike. The first thing I had to do was get the paint off. This has taken up nearly the whole week. I removed the paint using paint stripper, a scrapper, sand paper and a power sander. I basically switched back and forward between methods until it was off. I started with the paint stripper which seemed very effective in some spots and in other spots totally useless. I applied 3 coats, scrapping in between then I hosed it off with a pressure hose and took to it with sand paper. I found the sand paper did a good job but was so time consuming. After a few hours sanding I went back to the paint stripper and found it worked better on the areas I had roughed up with the sand paper. In the end I borrowed my Dads power sander and ended up using about 5 coats of the stripper, 5 sheets of 80 grade sand paper and a few of the sanding discs before I got it to a stage I could move on from. I didn't get 100% of the paint off, there were a few little spots in the underneath of the bottom bracket where it was just so tough to remove and super fiddly where the stand screws in I just smoothed it out and hopefully it doesn't peel or anything like that.

The rear fender post 4 coats of stripper - still needing the sanding to finish the job

Next job was priming and painting. I used 2 cans of White Knight Primer to apply 4 thin coats of primer to the frame, fork and fenders. I let this dry overnight then moved onto the colour, White Knight Squirts in Magenta. So far I have 2 coats on and it needs at least 1 more, probably 2 just to get the finish I want.

Just hanging out

Sprayed too thick here and it has run, will be sanding it down with some 1200 grade tomorrow before the 3rd and 4th coats go on

The frame in all its magenta glory

Forks looking quite schmick

I have ordered some custom decals off of ebay as well. I decided against putting the brand name back on the bike, I want it really put my own design into it. I ordered the decals from this store, I'm hoping their feedback is accurate and they turn out well. The final design will be revealed in time :)

Also I have started on the wheels now that my tyres have arrived. The front wheel is done and ready to ride (minus the tube - kinda important I guess :P ) and the rear wheel I will finish tonight.

Before and after

 You can see in the close up pics a real difference after I used steel wool and aluminium foil to clean up the front rim. Its still not perfect but its a 30 year old wheel, can't expect miracles!

Front

Rear

 Finally I picked up some degreaser on the weekend and have started soaking the parts which were super greasy. I will be applying all new grease before reassembling the bike, hopefully in the next fortnight!

Shiny ball bearings

Something New

As I mentioned in my last post the first part casualty of the restoration were the tyres. They were never going back on after the state they were in.

Sad old tyres :(

As you can see they were all cracked and bits around the inside just broke off when I removed them. So into the bin they went.

I had been considering getting some cream colours tyres I had seen around the place, but a quick Google search showed me sellers in the UK and including postage I would've been forking out $50+ per tyre - a bit more than I wanted to spend on a cheap run around bike!  

Shiny new tyres!

So instead I decided to go for these white wall tyres off eBay for $49.50 for the pair including postage which is more in my price range. I haven't received them yet so can't speak for the quality but once they are here I will.

I also decided on the main colour for my new paint job. Those who know me will not be surprised by my choice of a pink bike :P My road bike is black and pink as well and though I did consider the very 'now' colour mint green I figured I would just go with what I like and that way it won't just be a fad. I have pick a dark magenta pink with while accents. I'm thinking white rack and front basket, pedals, saddle and hand grips but I'm open to suggestions :)