Bare steel frame

hi guys,

saw a steel frame fixed that was just clear coated and it looked awesome. I've stripped my carlton down the the steel, and have brushed it with a wire cup in a drill and i love the look. Aiming for a really classic vintage feel, just wondered if anyone knows of a good alternative to the clear coat. I'm not too concerned with a finish that needs reapplication every so often. Are ankor wax, and turtle wax my only options? Trawled the internet but might have missed something. I'm guessing it'll be mostly waxes.

Cheers

paul

A can of clear spray?

some guy on the net somewhere was experimenting with olive oil on a bare frame...
made it looks a little tarnished raw look to it..

did you see murtles john major?

my beater is raw steel with absolutly nothing on it to protect it from the elements. i was planning on painting it, but ive just not got around to it for several months. it has developed some surface rust but i am surprised as to how little rust has developed. it has only appeared where the wheels fling water from the road.

i would polish it and keep it raw but the brazes arnt exactly buetiful so im probably going to paint it.

my beater is raw steel with absolutly nothing on it to protect it from the elements. i was planning on painting it, but ive just not got around to it for several months. it has developed some surface rust but i am surprised as to how little rust has developed. it has only appeared where the wheels fling water from the road.

i would polish it and keep it raw but the brazes arnt exactly buetiful so im probably going to paint it.

rust it up and then clearcoat it!

I have rawed a lot of steel parts and usuallly find that even when lacquered the moisture seeps in and causes a bit of rust.
On cranks and forks on my bmx i have left them unlacquered but occcasionally smear a little grease on them. Just teflon bearing grease. Find this keeps most of the rust away and also allows you to take a scotch pad or such and buff any rust away if you want.
My bmx doesn't get a lot of wet weather use tho so it might not hold up too well if you do ride in the wet a lot.

Nice answers cheers guys!

clear coat was the original choice, even clear powdercoat, but as this project develops, i think it would be too slick looking for bare steel. I want it kind of raw, so i reckon some wax is the way forward, anything to repel the elements really. Thanks for the link to the john major, just what i was looking for gabes!

cheers

Hey, I've been lurking about on here but can keep quiet no longer! Some interesting finishes include scotchbrite-ing the frame, (looks nice). You could polish it a bit, then head down to your local gun shop, cos there's one on every corner. Anyway, go in there and ask for Gun paste-blue, which then blues the metal, although this only works on steel.
Also, Jade oil is very good for finishing bare metal, though you'll have to keep it topped up.

cheers smiggie. Gonna try the scotchbrite tomorrow. Quick question about the blueing. Are we talking blue like the actual colour blue?!!! Stupid question, so stupid answer welcome, just wondered though..

http://www.amazon.com/Perma-Blue-Liquid-Gun-Kit/dp/B000TTIHH0

even on amazon....

http://www.birchwoodcasey.com/sport/blueing_index.asp?categoryID=1&subcat=5&prodcat=105

I think i may give gun past blue a go

Just found this site, did not realise there were so many finish's to be had.

http://www.metalartistforum.com/demos/01-04-07/jan04demolog.htm

rust it up and then clearcoat it!

This looks awesome (on BMX's anyway), do it.

I think bare frames only look good with matt black (or other such dull-coloured) parts. shiny parts just make it look fail.

http://www.birchwoodcasey.com/sport/blueing_index.asp?categoryID=1&subcat=5&prodcat=105

I think i may give gun past blue a go

don't

it'll rust without weekly re-application and a constant layer of oil.

for gun barrels, not bike frames.

you could brush on a concentrated and warm solution of salted water, leave overnight, and you will by the morning have a surface rust on there...

Clearcoat the fucker... and you have an original frame like no other..

This post is becoming interesting, some really inspiring ideas so thanks!!

Definately feeling the aged look. If I go too clean, shiny and smooth with lacquer, it'll look like a shop bought without the stickers, which is fine, but not what i want.

The wire cup in the drill left a pretty nice finish, might just leave it while i build the wheels and see how the surface develops. Glad i managed to save the old carlton badge, it looks sweet against the steel.

cheers smiggie. Gonna try the scotchbrite tomorrow. Quick question about the blueing. Are we talking blue like the actual colour blue?!!! Stupid question, so stupid answer welcome, just wondered though..

It kinda depends on the substrate material. If its polished very bright and then brushed on it comes out a vey deep blue, almost looks like its under the surface of the material, other times it can look an antique brown, which still looks good.
It is kinda fragile though, you'd need to oil it after aswell. It does gie steel a very Japanese/Zero engineering look.

don't

it'll rust without weekly re-application and a constant layer of oil.

for gun barrels, not bike frames.

I'll repeat myself then.

although I'm starting to think you might be better learning by your own mistakes

Also, You can get halfords to mix up a can of candy paint for you. Orange, red or blue over a rusted, tarnished frame looks amazing.
What you have to remember, is that any bare metal WILL corrode in time, so it will be a high maintenance finish and that you need to get into all the little nooks n crannies.

some pretty cool ideas, I was wondering what the best way to strip the paint in the first place is? any DIY methods part from sand blasting? Cheers

Check this out: http://www.londonfgss.com/thread1201.html

A good thread.

some pretty cool ideas, I was wondering what the best way to strip the paint in the first place is? any DIY methods part from sand blasting? Cheers

Nitromors. Do NOT get it on your face

I think the nice thing about using a wax is that you can restore the finish as often as you like. It doens't appeal to everyone, but to me, being able to wax the frame and remove, or in fact leave any blemishes, is pretty neat. Listen to rpm though, gun blue is not a great idea!!!! I used nitromors and some pretty harsh wire wool, took the paint off a treat. Seriously though wear goggles and gloves cos it will burrrrrrrrrrrrrrnnnnn!!!

+1 for the goggles in all this. God only gave you one pair of eyes. Use them wisely!