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My attempt at a rat bike.

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I like the way you think.
I prefer more friendly compounds for rust agents when applying a solution to oxidize metal. As opposed to acid.
Mix Ratio 80:20
80% Hydrogen Peroxide...20% Vinegar...Add Salt to saturation point. Grab some booze!!!
This oxidizing solution works well, is easy on the hands, and enjoyable to breathe.

Cheers~

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That's the method I use too! I usually go a little darker with more coats so it looks more of a brown vs an amber color though. Faux "patina" & rat making fun :cool:
 
I think you hit a home run! The flat black / red look is overplayed.

And a definite no to added rust. There's enough organically rusted bikes out there (I have my share, so not a judgement). Keep it clean.
 
I dig the flat/matte - semi gloss black but so tired of red wheels! Do a lime green or even rusty red primer & mist some brown over it. Heck red primer, then color paint & scuff it back some with a wire brush would look better than a fresh RED wheel :confused:
Yeah, the brightly contrasting wheels are a bigger point of contention for me. And I've done red wheels on flat black (on a Vespa, of all things). I'm not going to knock anyone's work. I just think the OP did a fantastic job here, and only want to let him know I like what he did better this way, than what he might have done.
 
Here's my attempt at a rat bike.

Started out as a '59 or '60 AMF Roadmaster middleweight I bought off CL cheap. I stripped the fenders and chainguard off, put some balloon whitewalls on it, and a set of 24 in. ape hangers w/ a BMX toploader stem. Put a new cruier seat I had lying around on it, and it's a pretty nice riding bike. I'm 6'2, so the ape hangers aren't an issue.

I decided against powder coating the wheel hoops red, since if I did I'd have too much $$ in it to call it a rat bike. Plus the paint on the frame is too nice to paint flat black over. It's supposed to be the antithesis of my red Roadmaster.

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Very nice . I just got the same bars for this trike project I'm about to start.

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