1990 Marin Palisades zolatone refurb

[Mickeyspinn]

I remember zolatone paint, absolutely awesome stuff would resist spanners!
Peanut butter...hmmm dunno about that but..
PVA....I used to use it on old vinyl car seats. Paint it on a few layers thick indiluted and peel it off when dry.pulled everything off of textured vinyl.
If it's faded ...looks it ....a thin oil would darken/richen the tone a bit
Nice buy for the money

 

[Rotorhead]

I used the peanut butter on three of them. It worked nicely to clean the grain of the paint but perhaps only in the way a scrubbing brush or maybe the PVA would. It won’t do anything for scrapes obviously. I still have the peanut butter in my tool box should I get another.

 

[Chopper the ex Copper]

My olde Bear Valley reaponded well to hot water with a strong car shampoo solution, then stubborn bits got WD40 on a rag rubbed in with a nailbrush (other similar ungents are available) and then another go with car shampoo. I vaguely recall that got it back to an acceptable level.

 

[Hotwheels.]

Great little bike and looks original aside from the saddle and tyres.
For inspiration, here’s my dad’s that he bought new and has barely used in 32 years, hence completely as supplied bitd.
Been stored in a barn so decals and paint have only seen the sun on a rare ride out.

 

[sparkybhp]

That’s in lovely condition, I didn’t realise quite how faded mine was until you compare it to one like that!

 

[gtturbo]

That’s in lovely condition, I didn’t realise quite how faded mine was until you compare it to one like that!

I dont think it is. Now I could be wrong but the one above looks like a 91. Yours is a 90. The zolatone used on the 1991 models was darker than the 1990.

 

[Egghead]

Yes, the one in the barn is 1991 - as well as the different Zolatone shades, the fatter, constant diameter Afterburner seat stays came out in 1991. The OP one has tapered stays. Also the decals were white in 1990, so are not faded from neon.

 

[sparkybhp]

Had some time to carry on with this over the last couple of days, really making progress now.

Inside faces of the chainrings were worn and a bit rusty so they got sanded back and resprayed.

Gradual re-assembly, cleaning and lubricating as I went.

Wheel hubs got stripped and serviced then re-assembled. I’m going with these used Tioga Farmer John’s Nephew tyres (thanks @Tootyred). I’ve fitted a Turbo saddle which I had left over from a previous build - think it suits this bike a treat.
Bit more cabling up and needs a chain, then she’ll be ready to ride.

 

[sparkybhp]

Pretty much done now, turned out good.