Lacquer

[ddtdave]

I have just bought a nickel plated Orange P7 from eBay and I am expecting that when it arrives it will need some TLC as it is pretty old (mid nineties).

Does anyone know where I can get the lacquer to re coat the frame and forks or anywhere that might offer this service?

Cheers
Dave

 

[PurpleFrog]

In the absence of an answer from someone with direct experience, I've been told that what people normally use is clearcoat from somewhere like Halfords. Letting it harden for a week seems important:

http://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vinta ... lease.html

You might need to let it harden even longer if the weather is cool or wet.

Like epoxy, two part paint "systems" are often more effective:

http://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vinta ... esome.html

 

[ddtdave]

Cheers mate..... I did look at the clear lacquer Halford have which prompted my question. I would like to try and get it looking fairly new again and obviously rusting wherever possible. I get the bike delivered to me tomorrow so will have a better idea of condition later this week.

 

[nowt-flash]

Re:

i'd steer clear of the halfords universal clear lacquer if i were you
i did a Nos late 90's early 00's Thorn xTc classic bare metal frame with it, easy to use, awesome and i mean AWESOME finish like glass after wet sand and polish but it isn't very tough :cry:
it tends to chip easy also took weeks and weeks of curing to harden,
even then clamp it by the frame and it will come off, but it is easy to touch up
if theres any rust on the frame i'd use hammerite rust removing gel it cleans the rust really well and according to the tin it won't ruin any existing paint or lacquer
the xTc had a lot of surface rust as it had been in a box sat in a warehouse since it was (hand)made with no protective coating of any kind
i'll upload a couple of pics so you can see the finish after hammerite rust removal and halfords lacquer

steel is real, but raw steel is really something else

atb Bill

 

[ddtdave]

Thanks Bill,
Nice job.... I know that one of the biggest concerns is getting lacquer to stick to bare metal. The P7 has a plated and lacquered surface already so should hopefully not be an issue. I can see having to let it harden for weeks being more of a problem though as I will want to ride it.

 

[nowt-flash]

Re:

i have another nos bare metal xTc that i am going to do (they sold them of dirt cheap so i bought one of each),
it's a later model so it's fillet brazed instead of lugged also takes bigger tyres as the classic max's out at 1.5"
i'm going to use the hammerite to remove the rust and not clean it up after as the hammerite turns steel dark grey it also makes brass gleam
hopefully i'll get a finish like the raw bromptons (but without the kin shocking braising on them)
i'll probably get a Tange Nudity stem to match :roll:
lesson learnt from last xTc this time i'm going to try plastikote lacquer

atb Bill

 

[SEANSTEPHENS]

Re:

I'm sure people will start saying halfords/ holts clear coat etc.... But NO NO NO NO! It will go rusty after two or three weeks, I promise you

If you want it lacquered then get it done professionally or paint it

This subject has been covered on biking forums so much it makes my teeth ache...

 

[ddtdave]

Good luck and keep us posted Bill.

Sorry for the toothache Sean, I understand your point I thought that the nickel plated base might be different to a stripped frame because it is already primed and lacquered so just a top-up I guess?

 

[SEANSTEPHENS]

Re:



Aftermarket lacquer isn't as tough as the 'proper stuff' lol, it's thinner and can be very runny if not applied onto paint. I don't understand how nickel plating works but when you apply clear lacquer onto an un painted surface yourself then moisture from the air gets underneath and it still rusts after a while

Hope that helps

 

[nowt-flash]

Re:

hi Sean
sorry to make your teeth itch,
well OK I lie through my curly black teeth i'm not sorry at all
I didn't want to get mine done by a pro, that costs money ie big money,
also there is no satisfaction in being lazy and paying someone to do something i REALLY wanted to do myself
most pro's would want to shotblast the frame to start, not on my bike they don't
i've seen shotblasting done before and it ruins finer detail, I wanted my lugs to remain crisp and the headbadge to stay as is not pitted and dull
i know the finish won't last forever but it's a summer bike so come winter i can redo it for the cost of a couple of cans of spray,
it will give me something enjoyable to do when it's too shite to be fun out on the bike
OP didn't ask for advice on paint he asked about (diy) lacquer perhaps he doesn't want to risk his nickel plated frame either
you are right that the sensible option is to get it done by a pro, but not if you want to preserve what you already have or want some thing to do instead of telly or down the boozer

just saying thats all
atb Bill