Gear ratio effect on stopping/skidding

Speedwolf: Welcome! Nice introduction there. It's an addictive thing collecting bike parts! There are some great threads on here about recently opened vintage shops. One in east london really piqued my interest.

However, the best place for vintage parts remains the Internet. Campyoldy.com is a great place, and ebay is also good.

I'm after some advice from you good people

I went past this bike shop by Dalston Junction on the way home from work yesterday and saw an okay looking frame outside: unbranded chrome (maybe 70's) with drop handlebars. He only wanted £30 for it so I reserved it straight away (after making sure the measures were ok). It also had horizontal "drop in" (is that what you call it?) so good for fixed wheel.

So my questions are:

How do I get rid of the old paint and do you know of someone (preferably central or east London) who can re-spray?

And more importantly - should I worry about any new parts that I buy won't fit? Like cranks, forks etc?

I've been looking forward to a project like this for ages. I just hope that this cheap frame will do justice to any fancy parts I might add

Oh, if anyone is after cheap parts and frames etc. Do check out this shop just south of Dalston Junction (on Kingsland Road). I went there last week too and there was a nice Peugeot frame going for just £25 (unfortunately the frame was 5cm too tall for me).

Any advice is appreciated!