Old British Eagle frame with speckled rusty bits

[20130814]

I have been given a nice old British Eagle with Reynolds 531 tubing which I'd like to get back up and running.

The frame has a lot of bits on it like this:





Apart from stripping all of the paint off and respraying it, I wondered if anyone has any advice about how to deal with such speckled rusty bits?

I suppose I could get it resprayed, but I like the blue to yellow fade on the existing paint job plus I'd like to avoid the cost of a respray.

The paint finish is solid rather than flaking off so it's not like it's coming away from the frame, and in a lo of places the finish is completely smooth and free from any blemishes.

Any advice much appreciated.

Thanks

Jim

[Jamesh]

A respray would be best

But if funds don't allow a respray, then some very fine wet and dry paper to remove the rust spots. Then a can of clear lacquer to seal the frame again.

Cheers James

[alexnharvey]

I do not see how you can remove rust without removing the paint given that the normal order is tube first and paint on top of it.

[cycleruk]

There are rust reformers that, in theory, chemically change the rust to prevent further rusting.
I think Rustoleum was the product we used on cars but a long time ago.

[Brucey]

a curate's egg; "good in parts!"

if the bike is to see any weather, that corrosion will carry on its evil work and shorten the life of the frame. In dry use only the corrosion will continue but not as fast. The filiform corrosion will continue almost regardless; only a good respray will stop it.

So the only really good solution is a respray. To see filiform corrosion on Falcons and British Eagles of that age is not unusual; their paint jobs were particularly susceptible to it.

Other options include;

- coat the rust with waxoyl (looks rubbish, doesn't last for ever) or
- treat and repaint the bad areas (ditto)

Wasn't it Neil Young who said 'rust never sleeps'...? This is a case in point.

cheers

[keyboardmonkey]

... So the only really good solution is a respray. To see filiform corrosion on Falcons and British Eagles of that age is not unusual; their paint jobs were particularly susceptible to it...

To the OP: I justified the respray cost for my Coventry Eagle Touristique some years ago on the grounds that I’ve had it from new and it had a sentimental pull on me. Had I dragged it out of a skip or someone had offloaded their unwanted bike on to me I doubt that I would have gone to the expense. Anyway, Ellis Briggs did a fine job for me:

https://www.ellisbriggscycles.co.uk/resprays/

My bike was in a much worse state than yours, but I don’t see how you can avoid a respray if you want to prevent further corrosion. My bike:

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=33060

[reohn2]

First thing I'd be asking myself is whether it's worth the cosr/effort and whether the frame and forks are in good enough condition eg; whether there's any internal serious rust issues particularly around the BB area in side the chainstays and around the headtube lugs,etc.
Only then would I consider a respray,there are few specialist powder coating outfits around serving the classic motorcyclists that do cycle frames to a high standard and are cheaper than specialist cycle refinishers.
These people get good reports:- http://www.triple-s.co.uk

[cotterpins]

why not have it powder-coated? well worth it

[SimonCelsa]

On some of the old ocean-going rust buckets I used to sail on we would use 'metalbrite' around the superstructure just prior to a port arrival to make our vessel look shipshape and well maintained. This would assure the owner of extended business and lucrative charters. I think the solution had a phosphoric acid base and would clear up even the heaviest rust staining with a little elbow grease. It would usually keep the ship rust streak free for a couple of weeks but did tend to dull the paintwork somewhat. This is in a heavily salt laden environment so would assume a similar chemical would work wonders on a land based bicycle. The only drawback is that it was only available from Unitor in 25 ltr drums which may be a little OTT for your anticipated usage!!

[David9694]

I’d recommend a home-spun re-spray. It’s a labour of love, a lot of rubbing down with wet & dry to get it smooth.

primer and the top coat(s) of your choice. There are repro decals if you want. Finish with a couple of coats lacquer.

[alexnharvey]

I’d recommend a home-spun re-spray. It’s a labour of love, a lot of rubbing down with wet & dry to get it smooth.

primer and the top coat(s) of your choice. There are repro decals if you want. Finish with a couple of coats lacquer.

Certainly, if you're time rich and bike proud.

[David9694]

I’d recommend a home-spun re-spray. It’s a labour of love, a lot of rubbing down with wet & dry to get it smooth.

primer and the top coat(s) of your choice. There are repro decals if you want. Finish with a couple of coats lacquer.

Certainly, if you're time rich and bike proud.

...The tops of those lugs are asking for an infill of a contrast colour

[kangaroo]

Some years ago, I had a frame (not rusty) powder-coated by industrial metal finishers (not bike specialists so no lug lining, contrasting panels, decals etc.). The very helpful man in charge put the frame in some sort of shot-blasting cabinet to see how easy the existing paint could be removed. It took minutes, amazingly the frame turning white rather than the expected shiny silver colour.
If it's convenient, you might arrange to have this done before making a decision re the final finish. It would certainly save a lot of time and effort. Check with the operator if the process could be damaging to threads and reinstall bottom bracket cups, mudguard eye bolts etc. as necessary.

[fastpedaller]

Check with the operator if the process could be damaging to threads and reinstall bottom bracket cups, mudguard eye bolts etc. as necessary.

If it's strong enough to remove the paint it's likely to damage the threads..... why take a chance? Use old bb cups and 5mm screws to protect the threads - and something in the seat tube may not go amiss!

[pete75]

IMG_1442.jpg why not have it powder-coated? well worth it

Yep. These people are used to powder coating bike frames and do an excellent job for 35 quid including all prep work. They will advise on thread protection.

https://www.kdsltdpeterborough.co.uk/