A vintage bike can be disassembled to have the frame repainted.
Bike riding is an activity enjoyed by many of us who learned to ride as a child and continue to enjoy it. Many riders like the look of the old vintage bikes, such as those made by Schwinn, and riding one can bring about a feeling of nostalgia as they pedal back into their own childhood. A vintage Schwinn can be painted with spray paint to restore it to like-new condition, but it takes time and patience to do it right.
Instructions
1. Disassemble the bike and remove the Schwinn's frame with the adjustable wrench. Take off the wheels, the handle bars, the pedals and the seat. Remove the seat post from the frame, along with any accessories such as reflectors and decals. Remove the hand grips from the handle bars. Set all the hardware, accessories and everything other than the frame and any other parts you wish to paint (such as the handle bars) aside in a safe place.
2. Clean oil, grease and any glue residues from the frame and other parts you wish to paint with the degreaser and water. Sand all of these parts with the sandpaper or the sanding sponge, whichever works best for you. Take them down to the bare metal. Use the wire brush to remove any rust in hard to reach areas. Use the coarse-grit sandpaper to remove heavy rust spots and the finer grits to sand these spots smooth wherever necessary. Remove heavy scratches, but the bike does not have to be completely smooth, as some fine scratches will help the primer adhere better to the bare metal.
3. Rinse the bike off and wipe with the lint-free cloths. Place the bike in an area that is well-ventilated but relatively free from wind or dust. If it can be safely hung with rope or wire hangers from the rafters in the garage and still have access to walk around it, that would be an ideal location. Allow the bike to dry completely before proceeding.
4. Wipe these parts with the lint-free clean cloths again and remove any dust. Shake the spray can of primer vigorously, according to the can's directions, to mix the paint thoroughly. Hold the can about 8 to 12 inches from the frame and use easy, steady strokes to cover the metal surfaces with a thin coat of primer. Allow this coat to dry according to directions, and give the bike one more coat. Allow to dry completely before proceeding.
5. Sand smooth any runs or drips in the primer with the fine-grit sandpaper. Remove the dust with another clean cloth.
6. Shake the automotive spray paint can vigorously, according to can's directions, to mix the paint thoroughly. Hold the can about 8 to 12 inches from the frame and use easy, steady strokes to cover the metal surfaces with a thin coat of paint. Allow this to dry according to directions and again lightly sand runs or drips smooth and wipe clean. Repeat this step as many times as you want. It is desirable to end up with a fairly thick coat of paint, so apply a minimum of three to five thin coats. Allow to dry completely before proceeding.
7. Shake the automotive clear-coat spray can vigorously, according to can's directions, to mix the sealer thoroughly. Hold the can about 8 to 12 inches from the frame and use easy, steady strokes to cover the metal surfaces with a thin clear coat. Allow this to dry according to directions and repeat this step as many times as you want. You want to end up with a fairly thick clear coat to protect the paint, so apply at least three to five thin coats. Allow the bike to dry completely.
8. Take these newly painted bike parts down carefully, taking care not to scratch or damage the new finish. The bike is now ready to be reassembled.
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