A quick preview of what's to come....1991 GT Zaskar project.

[PhillB]

Thank you, I did start using a polish attachment for my drill but wasn't too impressed with the result, so I ended up polishing by hand, using microfibre cloths and Autosol.
Quite satisfying job to do, really.
I may do the same to my '98 GT Tempest next!

ABM made some rad polished Alu bikes in the early 90's and they sold each frame with a tub of Nevr Dull



You can still get it (It is expensive and... you may be more circumspect over my product recommendations considering the paint stripper )

But... I have found it is pretty good at maintain the polish on my Zaskar and my American. You rub it on and polish it off - the benefit is that it easier to avoid messing up the decals than it is with Autosol or Mothers

 

[baron von greenback]

I Just thought that dont listen to phillb over products haha but yours look pretty mirror finish is that a us or uk product i also didnt know them seats are gt originals i keep an out for them now

 

[PhillB]

I Just thought that dont listen to phillb over products haha but yours look pretty mirror finish is that a us or uk product i also didnt know them seats are gt originals i keep an out for them now

Haha, the PeelTec is not amazing, but it is less sh*t than the other paint strippers out there (I have tried them all, believe me ! ) It also doesn't give you cancer... so there's that.

I think Nevr Dull is a US product, it is like a wadding that is impregnated.

The saddles were Selle San Marco Regal Girardis - you can still get them - but naturally I wanted one with the GT logo

 

[Black_puma]

Haha, the PeelTec is not amazing, but it is less sh*t than the other paint strippers out there (I have tried them all, believe me ! ) It also doesn't give you cancer... so there's that.

I think Nevr Dull is a US product, it is like a wadding that is impregnated.

The saddles were Selle San Marco Regal Girardis - you can still get them - but naturally I wanted one with the GT logo

Nevr Dull sounds like what we used to call Brasso, right? I haven't seen that for some time now.

Also, I have a San Marco Regal saddle on my Pantera and a Viscount branded saddle on my Bravado, they're obviously variantions on the same design.

 

[PhillB]

Nevr Dull sounds like what we used to call Brasso, right? I haven't seen that for some time now.

Also, I have a San Marco Regal saddle on my Pantera and a Viscount branded saddle on my Bravado, they're obviously variantions on the same design.

Yes, It smells a bit like Brasso too, but Brasso has some abrasives in it (Silica I think). Nevr Dull is good at maintaining the shine, when you have already used Autosol

 

[baron von greenback]

I thought brasso was just for brass i got some some were i dig it out and when i do my zaskar with autosol i see what it does i let you know speaking of autosol have you seen the stuff they do in the same size tube thats for doing anodising anyone tried that i was thinking of giving a go ye the seat san marco thats were i seen them i saw a nice white one not so long ago

 

[PhillB]

Yeah, I've not tried Brasso. It's quite a different chemical composition, so....go easy ! I've not tried anything on anodising, not many of my bikes have any, not coloured anyway, as they are all a little before that era....

 

[Black_puma]

I had used Brasso (in the orange tub) for my 1993 GT Zaskar, back in the day but the orange tub is no longer available, have looked but couldn't find it anywhere (yet)!

 

[Black_puma]

Just a quick update, finished polishing the frame today, as it was raining all day it was a great opportunity to do this job.
It's not a super mirror finish, but I like the way it looks now. I have added an older photo for comparison.

Sorry, the floor is a bit messy, will be cleaning this weekend!

As for the finish on the frame it's more like a satin sheen finish, which suits the frame quite well.
I am not trying to make this bike (when finished) look like a brand new bike anyway, I am not scared of a few marks here and there as It is after all a 34 year old bike and any marks it will have will add character. It was never intended as a immaculate piece to just look at. it is a bike and it needs to be used as such!
That is my take on it anyway but I do respect other members' ideas on immaculate restoration too, each to their own.