1995 Marin Indian Fire Trail - Restoration

[pommieMJ]

So, this weekend I stripped down my 1995 Marin Indian Fire Trail that I had been using in a cyclocross format for about two years, and managed to get the X-Lite seat post out that has been in there since I built it for the first time in early 1996 - so twenty years! It was tough, a nightmare but I eventually did it.

And now, it's devoid of the clear lacquer and decals and ready to be rubbed down to remove all traces of the past twenty years of good and hard use.

I've been in touch with Gil to get the decals and will now spend a significant amount of time with 240, 400, 800, 100, 1500, 2000 and then finish with 4000 grit emery paper. And finally a metal polish with a ssoft coth before applying those new decals.

Ive got a set of Manitou 3's to go (back) on along with a Marin prototype titaniu stem and handlebar combo, XTR M900 brake and shifter combos, OnZa HO cantis, XTR M900 front mech, XT Rear mech, XTR M900 8 speed rear cassette.

I need a seat post as I had to use a hackaw and hammer combined with a vice to remove the old seatpost.

Please feel free to throw me your restoration advice, tips and shortcuts.

Mike

 

[vinnya77]

Good luck. I like those. How'd you remove the lacquer? Good luck.

 

[pommieMJ]

Good luck. I like those. How'd you remove the lacquer? Good luck.

Hi vinnya77,

I used regular paint stripper for stripping acrylic vehicle paint. It took a few coats and I used a plastic scraper and wire wool. It wasn't easy :mrgreen:

 

[JonTom]

Re:

Looking forward to seeing this finished - I'm about to start restoring a 1993 IFT.

Once stripped and polished, I'll be adding a clearcoat to keep the shine. Then the decals. (I did wonder about putting the decals on before the clear coat.)

 

[kyle888]

Re:

Watching with interest i like the indian fire trail!

kyle

 

[VTFoco2001]

Re:

This is going to be a nice build
I suggest to search for the White Industries crankset and front hub to get it period correct.

And... watch out with installing the headset. The headtube is prone to split.
Succes!

 

[npn]

Any updates on the new build?

 

[34henry3w]

Re:

hey instead of clear coating (which may yellow, peel, leave orange peel, make it impossible to polish out future scratches)..you may want to consider wolfgang metal sealer...lasts at least 4 years even with washing and keeps the shine and prevents oxidation..and you can always repolish and re-apply.

check my GT RTS..it is just sealed..

if you go that route you could have Gil put a clear protective layer on the decals.

good luck!

 

[npn]

Re: Re:

hey instead of clear coating (which may yellow, peel, leave orange peel, make it impossible to polish out future scratches)..you may want to consider wolfgang metal sealer...lasts at least 4 years even with washing and keeps the shine and prevents oxidation..and you can always repolish and re-apply.

check my GT RTS..it is just sealed..

if you go that route you could have Gil put a clear protective layer on the decals.

good luck!

Your GT RST looks amazing! Is this the product you are referring to?

https://www.amazon.com/Wolfgang-MetallW ... B004UQQA04

 

[34henry3w]

Re:

thanks!

yep that's the one!..worked well for me. nice to know I can scratch it and easily re polish..