Alex,
The clear used on those old frames is not lacquer; it's "stoveing enamel". It does break down over time. Once you remove all of it (or most of it) it can be re clear coated with modern clear. DO NOT use lacquer thinner on that bike. The pinstriping and decals will come right off! A de greasing solvent like DuPont Prep-Sol or PPG Pre-cleano will work and not leave unwanted residue behind. To preserve that bike for the future, you will need to clear coat it; otherwise the decals, paint and pinstripes will all disappear in time as you clean it and ride it.
Brian Baylis
La Mesa, CA
Hello CR listers,
I've enjoyed lurking and learning for a month or so now, and this is my first post to the list.
I'm overhauling and cleaning up a very nice 1963 Jack Taylor Tourist in excellent condition.
http://www.flickr.com/
The box lining was quite dingy, and upon closer inspection, it appears that the original clear coat has given up. It has yellowed, and I was able to easily scrape it off with a fingernail. I'm guessing it's nitrocellulose lacquer. I wiped the frame down with naptha, and that didn't do much, except remove the wax.
The finish looks excellent overall for a machine approaching the half- century, so I believe primum non nocere (first, do no harm) is the best course of action here. I've considered trying lacquer thinner, but at this point I plan to just manually remove the worst areas manually (with fingernail) followed by wax.
It would be tragic to mess up the original decals and paint, so I would appreciate any advice about dealing with old clear coats.
I plan to show this bike at the Seattle Bike Expo in March.
** ALSO: I'm looking for a 50T TA Pro 5 Vis outer chainring for this bike. It has a 45T now, and judging by the height of the front derailleur, I think it originally had a 50-40-32, instead of the 45-40-32 it has now. Not sure I absolutely need the bigger gears, but if I lower the front changer to the proper position, it will reveal a large paint chip, and the darker paint that has been under the band clamp all these years. So, if you happen to have an older 50T (stamped logo) you'd like to sell or trade for the 45T, please contact me off list.
Thanks in advance.
Alex Moll Seattle, WA
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