96 Zaskar LE Build

[Dface]

It’s shiny. It’s not perfect but it’s perfectly acceptable. Who hasn’t got a few scars in their late 20’s anyway. I went up a touch with the big GT decal to hide two of four rashes that I couldn’t get out. Hang it up now and see if the forks are dead or not.

 

[Aech]

That's come up lovely, given it's a 96 LE I'm interested to see what you do with it 'cos I've owned the exact same frame, year & size since 1996 when I bought mine new. Although I think they look ace polished mine will forever remain dull as I feel too conspicuous on a polished bike.

These frames look gorgeous with blue bits on them to go with the blue of the stickers, mines got blue Hope hubs, blue bar & blue bar ends on it.

 

[PhillB]

It’s shiny. It’s not perfect but it’s perfectly acceptable. Who hasn’t got a few scars in their late 20’s anyway. I went up a touch with the big GT decal to hide two of four rashes that I couldn’t get out. Hang it up now and see if the forks are dead or not.

That looks great...it is hard work polishing these, but totally worth it!

 

[Dface]

That looks great...it is hard work polishing these, but totally worth it!

I quite enjoy it. I reckon I spent about 5 hours doing it maybe with various techniques. I don’t know if they stay shiny but I’m thinking of trying some car paintwork sealant on it. You just spray in by hand and polish after a few minutes from what I remember. I’ve got a bit of RTS frame to test it on anyway

 

[PhillB]

I quite enjoy it. I reckon I spent about 5 hours doing it maybe with various techniques. I don’t know if they stay shiny but I’m thinking of trying some car paintwork sealant on it. You just spray in by hand and polish after a few minutes from what I remember. I’ve got a bit of RTS frame to test it on anyway

So, in my experience, they do stay shinyfor a while, but ultimately, naturally begin to oxidise again. (I've done two Zaskars, an American and a GT Strike ) But I have found that rather than the labour intensive job to get them shiny in the first place, that they can be maintained by using NevrDull Polish every 3 or 4 months or so..

I apply it and buff with a microfibre cloth - takes about 20mins

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/12622303...uid=sSmAwYJjRHS&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

 

[d8mok]

If they are done properly they don’t dull in my experience.

Certainly the ones I’ve got which are still perfect years later. They aren’t ridden though which helps.

Remember that BB wasn’t polished.

 

[MattiThundrrr]

I really like hard tail bikes, although this Element has become the bike I use the most now

Very nice. I feel that if I had one, I would be a guy who says "I used to really like hardtails"

 

[Dface]

If they are done properly they don’t dull in my experience.

Certainly the ones I’ve got which are still perfect years later. They aren’t ridden though which helps.

Remember that BB wasn’t polished.

I’ll be honest I don’t know what the proper method is but here’s what I did anyway.

Washed it
Scothbrite pad andWD40
Wet n dry with soapy water 400> 800>1200
Then mop on drill with cutting compound.
After then I used some chemical guys heavy metal polish with hard>medium>soft applicator pads by hand.
Lastly soft mop on drill and same polish
And clean microfibre towels to finish.

All guesswork!

 

[Dface]

So, in my experience, they do stay shinyfor a while, but ultimately, naturally begin to oxidise again. (I've done two Zaskars, an American and a GT Strike ) But I have found that rather than the labour intensive job to get them shiny in the first place, that they can be maintained by using NevrDull Polish every 3 or 4 months or so..

I apply it and buff with a microfibre cloth - takes about 20mins

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/12622303...uid=sSmAwYJjRHS&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

‘Nevr Dull’ I could do with some of that for myself never mind the bike.

 

[Dface]

I’m not sure what I’m doing in here but the internet will teach me I’m sure.