In a message dated 1/20/04 8:04:51 AM Pacific Standard Time,
classicrendezvous-request@bikelist.org writes:
> In a message dated 1/20/2004 6:00:21 AM Pacific Standard Time,
> Raoul.L.Delmare@worldnet.att.net writes:
> Spraying on a layer of "clear coat"
> would stabilize the original finish, prevent any further loss of paint or
> Transfers , and protect the steel from any rust .
>
> Facing a similar "repaint or preserve" dilemma on a '76 Paramount P-14 a few
>
> years back, I consulted a frame painter about clear coating the "patinaed"
> original finish. He suggested otherwise believing that this would exacerbate
> rust
> and corrosion under the seal.
> Perhaps the professional restorers on-list could confirm or debunk this
> claim.
>
>
If there is already rust on the frame and you don't treat it with rust
neutralizer, it will most likely spread and create rust worms under the paint or
clear coat. Rust is hydroscopic which means it attracts water, so is sort of
self-propagating. I would not clear coat the frame but would rub with Oxysolv or
Rust Mort or some other rust neutralizing stuff, then wax the frame to
prevent further rusting. This may discolor the paint though, as it turns any rust
black. Same holds true when repainting a frame. If you don't treat rust
before you primer the frame it will likely come back, even if you have sandblasted
the frame. It gets down into the metal structure and will not sandblast out.
When we repainted Jan Heines 1949 Herse tandem last year, he first had all
the old flaking chrome blasted, then we treated the frame with Oxysolv, then
sanded again, then primer, surfacer, sanding, many applications of spot putty
and sanding, then primer again, sanding, then we were ready for color and clear
coats.
Bob Freeman
Seattle