Do I need paint?

[Foster]

I am working on a SS road bike, the frame is a Schwinn (late 80's?) 4130 cromo with chrome accents on the fork & rear dropouts. While removing the countless layers of Krylon, I have also removed over 50% of the OEM paint. I like the naked steel look, anyone have a paintless bike?
Do I need to clear coat it?
Will 4130 rust out if I simply wax it?
The tubes remind me of the old monkeybars at my elem school.

Also, This bike has a Biopace front ring, SS chain & a 14T BMX freewheel cog for a drivetrain. Anyone have any idea why someone would build a SS with a oval ring? I have to admit that it does ride like a dream.

[kikinik]

Some sort of clear coat will be important for 4130 as it will rust up.
I have a brushed 4130 frame and fork, I layed down a coat of rust inhibitor, then 3 layers of clearcoat. It looks super industrial.

As far as the Biopace, I would guess someone didnt want to invest in a new chainring. You must have some serious chain tension issues. Id switch it out before you throw a chain. Go with the Surly Stainless ring.

Post a pic when you finish coating the frame.


WORD

[funky-funky-chicken]

You could have it powder-coated in clear.
http://asset2.rivbike.com/images/static/home_splash/4.jpg?1182737528

You cannot use liquid clear as it is more porous and it will rust. Clear powder is supposed to work much better and be more durable and make for a way-cool look.

As for the biopace ring, there are no tension problems when running singlespeed, just a little different. More than you probably want to know:

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/biopace.html

[Danimal]

Clearcoat it at his place... Powdercoating Technologies in Plymouth. They did an excellent job on my bike for $116.00.

[Foster]

Nice!
Thanks for the pic, tips & the link.

That SB link is cool and just may proove that I am not crazy...
Since I found this bike at the Goodwill many years ago I have never understood the drivetrain, all I know is it rides smoother & faster than my Lemond. When I removed the cranks to strip the paint (I loaned it to my brother for 1 year & he took it apon himself to "fix it" with 3 cans of spray paint) I considered swapping the cranks for a round ring type... I think I will stick with the egg ring.

I just wish I had snapped a before pic with all that ugly green paint:banghead:

[Foster]

It turned out a lot better than I thought it would :)

Now I just need to tune up the breaks & hubs.


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3164/2599359008_bfa5017c5d_b.jpg


I love the burn marks.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3199/2599359162_9ce8ec0867_b.jpg

[neb32]

There is also a new automotive paint made by DuPont called "Metal Lock". Not sure on $.

[Slimpee]

How did you treat the frame?

[Foster]

I did not treat the frame.
This fall I need to reapply frame saver to my Poprad anyhow so I can give it a coating inside. The outside is just clearcoat... It is extra thick at the joints. I figure that I can just add layers as needed, and any rust forming will be easy to spot.