‘61 Radiant Green Corvette 5 speed Rehab

[GTs58]

I know you're a SBF member so do a search over there on Radiant Green paint match. There were a few members there that used the Metalcast Green and I believe krankrate? was one of them. Twomorestrokes (spelling) was also looking for green Jag match. I haven't used Testors paint since I was a teen so I'm not sure if the Emerald Green is a very small metallic paint or not. They did have a few candy colors back in the mid 60's but I don't think any were green. I've used the Dupli-Color Intense Blue for the Radiant Blue but that paint is a metallic. The color matches the Radiant Blue very well but you have to paint a complete part or section and it is noticeable up close since it's not a candy sprayed over an aluminum base.

 

[schwinnlax]

Weather has finally been warm enough to get out to the garage and back to this project. Did lots of parts cleaning inside, but needed to be in the garage for a number of reasons. Here is partial assembly at this point.

Fenders cleaned up very well. Very few dings in the actual fenders. Stays are another matter. They will need further cleaning and then painting.

Rack cleaned up nice on the aluminum parts. Metal parts are still a bit dingy.

Crank, sprocket, and pedals are similar. Look decent from a distance, but have pitting seen up close.

Handle bars came off a donor ‘63 Co—Ed. Will still need to re-build back wheel. All that is salvageable from that is the hub, sprocket, derailleur, and spoke nipples (maybe).

Cleaned the chain and is now dried out. Should I soak the chain in something before putting it back on the bike?

 

[GTs58]

Glad to see you're making some progress!

What I normally do with the old chains after cleaning is soak them in a small bowl of motor oil. Then I hang it up and let it drip dry for a day or more. Before I install it I wipe it down real good a few times and then call it done until I put a few miles on it. After messing with quite a few old chains off geared bikes I've decided that saving these used 58 year old chains is a waste of time. Once you start riding the bike and going thru the gears you'll start to notice the symptoms of a worn out chain. On my 62 Corvette rider I was having some issues so I took the chain off, stretched it out and measured it. Seems it was worn enough to where it gained 3/4" in the overall length but it still "looked" like a new chain. Measure the chain and see if it's stretched, then decide if you want to use it.

 

[schwinnlax]

Yes, GT, that is good advice. Chains are cheap. Any recommendation for model/brand?

 

[PCHiggin]

I had good results refinishing fender braces by media blasting,metal prepping then coating with a satin clear from a rattle can. You can skip the metal prep if you use silica in place of plastic media. You just need be careful,it can warp them. Good luck

 

[Mymando]

Where did you find the oxalic acid in a liquid? New to the OA but it looks like good results on the rust? Any help appreciated! Thanks

 

[bikecrazy]

My example of a re-paint using the Metalcast product. Unfortunately my IPad makes the color look lighter then it really is. Actual paint color is deeper and richer. An excellent match in my opinion.

 

[GTs58]

My example of a re-paint using the Metalcast product. Unfortunately my IPad makes the color look lighter then it really is. Actual paint color is deeper and richer. An excellent match in my opinion.

View attachment 1001408

Looks fabulous! What exactly did you use for the base coat?

 

[skiptoofer22]

I would leave it alone myself. All of the imperfections add character and show the bike's age. As they say, you can always repaint a bike, but it is only original once. -Trevor

 

[bikecrazy]

I used silver