Where to start on a Rebel restoration

[john30]

Hello again, after considering the advice given by forum members  I have decided to restore the rebel freestyler ! first
Where do I start
Rechrome/powder coat
Can you get stickers still or made up the old ones are on there but very faded
new bearings, tyres , respoking ect ?
All advice would be greatly appreciated as I'm sure there are many mistakes that can be made
I live in swansea and work in swindon if that helps ie  shops ect
link to more pics http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v671/jonjwt/

[brettypeeps]

First thing you need to do is decide wheter to powder or chrome...  Powder coating is generally cheaper and Super Bike Dan does an awesome job (Perfection is his middle name)
Decals are generally available

First thing is to stip the bike and see where you want to go with it and what parts you need.  (post in Wanted section for bits you want)  Take your time and get it right first time as bits are not cheap anymore and you dont want to be stuck with bits you dont want. 

Shops:
alansbmx http://www.alansbmx.com/index.php?cPath=116
differentpath http://www.differentpath.co.uk/
vert-ego http://www.vert-ego.com/main.htm
chainreaction cycles http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/

[diesel]

The things you should really try first - however bad you think the chrome is (its original and that counts for a lot)

A) Use swivel's coke n foil thread here:
http://www.radbmx.co.uk/forum/index.php'topic=52096.0

B) Oxalic acid
http://www.radbmx.co.uk/forum/index.php'topic=43244.0

Have a little search around - you can find its as Wood Bleach and other forms

You might just be very surprissed with the results and alot cheaper than re-chroming 

[stidds]

1st step on a restoration is resist the urge to polish the crap out of everything. 

[bobafett]

I agree with diesel here - my approach to original finishes is always "if it can be saved then save it"

The tin foil trick can give great results - personally I use lemon juice rather than coke and I have also used vinegar.

Here is a thread with some forks I did with lemon juice & tin foil.........

   http://www.radbmx.co.uk/forum/index.php'topic=90497.0

If you want to go the "full submersion" route and you have a large enough tub to fit the frame in then you could go the oxalic acid route but that can work out a bit expensive to fully submerse the frame and you are messing with nasty chemicals. My personal preference for full submersion is citric acid powder. You can by tubs of citric acid powder on ebay and in some bulk food suppliers etc. It's safe and easy to use - just mix it with water and chuck your bits in - 24 hours later the rust just falls off 

Certainly worth a try.

BUT ! Don't put your alloy parts in any acid as it will start to eat them 

All your alloy bits will come up with autosol and a gentle polish.

Will you use the proclass wheels on it with it being a freestyler ?

Could be up for a little trade deal for some very nice coaster/alloy hub tuff 2's in black

Good luck and post your pics up as you progress 

[john30]

I shall try and save what I'v got and see how the  frame comes up with the various suggestions, I'l report back with some pics of any progress and rate the Teqniques I try.

"Will you use the proclass wheels on it with it being a freestyler "

I have no idea which wheels they are but was just going to put what  I had on there , I know nothing about any parts whatsoever

I tried the tin foil and lemon juice this afternoon and it worked rarther well,  couple of before and after pics below and the rest are in the image gallery (link above)


About 2 hours work later including stripping the bike down



Any tips on how to remove the reynolds sticker, I tried nail varnish remover but  it dont touch it,(its hard as nails)

[brettypeeps]

That has come up nice so far

[ozone]

Any tips on how to remove the reynolds sticker, I tried nail varnish remover but  it dont touch it,(its hard as nails)

Use a hairdryer or pour boiling hot water on the sticker to soften the adhesive and peel it off then use the nail varnish remover to remove the sticky residue.  The frame looks pretty good now and should build up nicely without having to spend shedloads on rechroming which doesn't always come out right.   

[bobafett]

Lookin better already mate - nice one

[dordymush]

i'd have built it up just as it is now survivor style.faded stickers and all.i got a patterson here that is scratched and rusty but its as it was so i could'never bring myself to strip it and lose the proper stickers etc off it.
there a million and one show bikes all mint but a as found bike is always more of interest to me and from what i can see a lot more people these days.
cleaning up well that is